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Minot AFB first to showcase DOD's new property system

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  • By Senior Airman Wesley Wright
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Minot AFB became the first U.S. military installation to showcase a new Defense Personal Property System here Sept. 9. The new system began rolling out at 17 other stateside locations Sept. 10 and worldwide operations will begin Jan. 22, 2009.

Overall, DPS is an automated management system for movement of household goods belonging to service members and government civilians. The system automates much of the process of pre-move counseling, scheduling, tracking, invoicing, and claims-filing for household goods shipments.

1st Lt. Christopher Whited, 5th Medical Group physician's assistant, and his family were the first to experience the new system by recently permanently changing station from the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo., to Minot AFB.

"It was pretty easy," Lieutenant Whited said. "I went online, input my information and the movers called me shortly thereafter and said they were ready to look at our household goods. I got to interact directly with the moving company without having to go through a middle man."

According to DPS officials, the program will improve the move experience for service members and families, preferentially select quality vendors based upon past performance, streamline move management, and establish an integrated system to support Department of Defense families' moves worldwide. 

According to Senior Airman Lee Stasser, 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron personal property element quality assurance inspector, the move to an automated system will have many benefits for the Air Force and its Airmen.

"The benefits include saving on manpower, money and time," Airman Stasser said. "Obviously, it will help reduce the amount of people needed in the personal property element (formerly known as the traffic management office) and it will save the Air Force money. Additionally, many PCSing Airmen's time is limited, so this automation will help make outprocessing more efficient."

The following DPS features are designed to streamline the PCS process: 

· Self Counseling: Members can create their own "move file" and request pickups and deliveries online.
· Shipment Status: People can monitor the progress of their shipment and update their location and contact information online.
· Claims Processing: Individuals can process their claims directly with the transportations service provider with full replacement value consideration.
· Customer Satisfaction Survey: People can provide feedback on their move to improve service for future PCS moves.

Although the process is moving to a mostly automated system now, the PPE stressed it will still be available to help people if they encounter problems.

"People have no need to worry," said Tech. Sgt. Steve Cotter, 5th LRS, PPE noncommissioned officer-in-charge of quality control. "We will still be here in some form to help people. We will even have computers set up in the personal property element office where individuals can come and set up their move."

Overall, Lieuteant Whited and his family of six were very happy with the move.

"The personal property element was there with us every step of the way to make sure the process went smoothly," the lieutenant said. "Like all new things, there will be room for improvement but DPS seem's to be off to a great start."

"It was very quick and efficient," said Deanna Whited, the lieutenant's spouse. "It was nice not having to take the kids from office to office trying to outprocess. It was a great experience."

For more information, log on to www.move.mil.