PCS Moves: GHC Breakdown & Status Update

Military families have been caught in the middle of a rocky transition to the Department of Defense’s Global Household Goods Contract (GHC), a $20 billion initiative designed to streamline and improve the military moving experience. Intended to fix a fragmented system plagued by lost shipments, delays, and inconsistent service, GHC was awarded to HomeSafe Alliance to consolidate oversight and create accountability for PCS moves. Three years later, families are still facing serious challenges.

As of March 2025, the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has acknowledged shortcomings in HomeSafe’s performance, especially during the ramp-up in late 2024. Following significant delays, missed pickups, and mounting complaints, USTRANSCOM began rerouting many shipments back through the legacy Defense Personal Property System (DPS). This “conditions-based approach” is intended to ease the burden on HomeSafe while they attempt to build a reliable network of moving subcontractors.

Air Force Gen. Randall Reed, commander of USTRANSCOM, recently stated that performance issues remain but progress is being made. He pointed to a decline in “inconvenience claims” filed by service members, which reimburse out-of-pocket costs due to delays, as a sign that things are improving. He also stated that HomeSafe has resolved 100% of the inconvenience claims filed so far. However, advocates argue that fewer claims don’t necessarily mean better performance—just fewer moves being handled by HomeSafe in the first place.

PCS reform advocate Megan Harless noted that the decline in claims is likely due to a reduced number of GHC-handled shipments. “When moves in 11,000 zip codes have been pulled back under the legacy system, that doesn’t mean the process is improving. Of course, the number of claims would be lower under HomeSafe when the majority of moves are being pulled back,” she said. Harless went on to mention that USTRANSCOM appears to be moving the goalposts to accommodate HomeSafe’s shortcomings, allowing the contractor to cherry-pick easier shipments and leaving more complex relocations to the legacy system.

Meanwhile, families continue to face hard choices. Many have previously reported being forced into Personally Procured Moves (PPMs)—moving themselves—due to HomeSafe’s limited network. While reimbursement for PPMs is still calculated at 100% of the Government Constructed Cost (GCC), that amount has been significantly reduced under the GHC. In practice, families are often receiving thousands of dollars less than they would have under the legacy system, pushing many into debt just to complete a mandatory relocation.

Behind the scenes, the moving industry is in flux. Most reputable companies have opted out of participating in the GHC due to the low rates HomeSafe offers—30-50% less than what they receive under DPS. Many say the rates are too low to cover their operational costs. “Instead of working to fix the new system that is clearly not functioning properly, [Reed] wants to lower the rates to the point where quality movers cannot serve the military under either system,” said Brian Hunley of Lambert Moving Systems in a recent Stars and Stripes article.

This spring, the DPS rate adjustment process is underway and will change on May 15.  Historically, DPS rates were determined by what the moving industry considered sustainable, factoring in things like fuel prices, labor, and seasonal demand. In 2025, USTRANSCOM will publish its “reasonable rates” toward the end of April, to go into effect May 15. Gen. Reed has stated these will likely be aligned more closely with GHC’s rates, a move industry leaders fear will make participation in any military move—under either system—financially untenable.

Military families and advocates, including NMFA, are all watching closely. Many are worried that this maneuver is a high-stakes gamble that could collapse both the legacy and GHC systems right before the summer peak-PCS season when moves surge.

So, what needs to happen to protect military families and ensure the success of this massive transition?

NMFA Recommendations:

1. Protect PPM Reimbursement Rates: PPM reimbursements must reflect actual moving costs, including inflation and regional pricing. Military families shouldn’t lose money because the government chose a contractor that can’t deliver.
2. Reestablish Military Oversight of PPMs: The Services, not a private contractor, should oversee PPMs to ensure service members receive fair and timely reimbursement.
3. Improve Transparency and Communication: Families need clear, real-time channels to report issues, get help, and track shipments. This should be a requirement for any moving contractor.
4. Hold HomeSafe Accountable: HomeSafe must be required to build a sufficient subcontractor network and meet performance benchmarks. Until then, families should be routed through the legacy DPS system under current rates to prevent disruptions.

As Gen. Reed himself stated, the success of the GHC will ultimately be defined by the experiences of military families. That experience must be improved immediately. Military families don’t choose when or where they move. They deserve a system that works, supports them, and doesn’t leave them picking up the pieces—or the bill.

Congress must act now to pause this failing system, improve oversight, and ensure families are properly reimbursed for their moving expenses. Join us in urging lawmakers to protect military families from these avoidable hardships — send a message to Congress today!