A few weeks ago, I casually used the term “PCS season” on social media. Not long after, a message landed in my inbox:
“When I heard you say ‘PCS season,’ I thought you meant ‘Pollen and Construction Season.’ It took me a minute to realize you were using a military term.”

We both had a good laugh.
There are a lot of acronyms in the military world. In fact, there are plenty I’ve used without fully knowing what they meant. For example, why is it called a “DITY move” instead of “DIY”? What does DEERS even stand for? And isn’t saying “CAC card” just as redundant as “ATM machine”? I don’t make the rules—I just follow them. Or at least, I try.

But regardless of how fluent you are in military-speak, the term PCS enters every military family’s vocabulary early. And it doesn’t stand for “Pollen and Construction Season.” It means Permanent Change of Station—or, as I like to say to my civilian friends: a military move.

According to a quick Google search, PCS season runs from mid-May to the end of September, and describes the timeframe with the highest number of military members relocating to new duty stations.

With PCS season in full swing, I thought I’d offer a few pieces of hard-won wisdom. Here are five tips if you’re PCSing out of Minot—and five more if you’re PCSing in.

Five Tips for PCSing Out of Minot:

1. Pack blackout curtains in your personal vehicle.
   Don’t send them with the movers or pack them in the primary truck. Long summer days mean lots of sunlight—and you’ll want help getting a good night’s sleep at your next stop. (Or at very least having a little privacy until your household goods arrive.)
2. Keep cleaning supplies with you.
   Don’t load your vacuum and basics into the main truck. Bring them along so you can clean before your household goods arrive—or before you start unpacking yourself.
3. Pack and label by room.
   Whether you’re doing the packing or supervising movers, organize and label boxes room by room. In the chaos of unpacking, it’s easier to remember where something lived in your old home than your logic behind how it was packed.
4. Make yourself a “Minot care package.”
   Grab a pound of your favorite local coffee, freeze some caramel rolls, or stock up on Charlie’s meat sticks. These familiar comforts make great travel snacks—and help ease the emotional transition. (Carbs and coffee always help me cope.)
5. Update your library card.
   Before you go, make sure your card is current so you can access digital resources—eBooks, audiobooks, movies—even after you’re gone. No one should be without a good read or an audiobook during a PCS.
   Five Tips for PCSing Into Minot:
6. Bring blackout curtains (or get creative).
   In summer, it’s not fully dark until after 10 p.m. If you’ve got little ones, you’ll need blackout curtains—or improvise with blankets until your household goods arrive. Uglee Box often has them in stock, and you’ll get them for less than $10.
7. Get all the library cards.
   You’re eligible for cards at the base library, Minot Public Library, and Ward County Library. Libraries here go beyond books—they offer kids’ and teen programs, adult groups, tools, printers, laminators, and even passes to the zoo, Magic City Discovery Center, and state parks. It’s a great way to get plugged in while you find your way around.
8. Get out among people.
   PCSing can be isolating. Head to free community events like Summer in the City or Music in the Park. You’ll get fresh air, find your bearings, and maybe even meet your new people.
9. Download the Minot Parks app.
   It’s a quick, easy way to find parks, playgrounds, trails and events—most of which are free. Minot has a great parks department, and this app will help you take advantage of all they offer.
10. Find the WD-40.
    While unpacking, if you find yourself combating sticky residue from tape, or those inventory stickers the movers put on all your items—WD-40 is my favorite hack for removing it. Just spray it on and polish off the goo with a soft cloth.

Happy PCS season, friends. Whether you’re heading out, arriving in, or staying put, I hope this season brings growth, perspective, and good things to your life.

For more on living well in Minot, visit amyallender.com or connect with me on social media @HeyMinot.