What Is a PPM (DITY) Move?
A Personally Procured Move, still widely known by its former name DITY (Do-It-Yourself), is a PCS move option where you transport some or all of your household goods instead of using a government-hired moving company. In exchange, the military pays you an incentive equal to 100% of the Government Constructed Cost (GCC) for the weight you move. This program is managed through your local Transportation Office and is available to all branches of service.
PPM moves are popular because they give you control over your belongings and the opportunity to pocket the difference between the government payout and your actual moving costs. To learn more about all your moving options, visit our PCS entitlements guide.
How Your PPM Payout Is Calculated
Your payout is based on the weight you actually move, multiplied by the rate the government would have paid a Transportation Service Provider (TSP) to ship that weight over the same distance. Finance determines the GCC using standardized rate tables that account for origin, destination, and shipment weight. You receive 100% of the GCC as your incentive payment.
Use our PPM calculator to estimate your payout before you commit to a move type. The calculator factors in distance and weight to give you a realistic estimate of your incentive.
Full PPM vs. Partial PPM
A full PPM means you move all of your household goods yourself. This maximizes your payout but requires renting a large truck or trailer, and you bear all the responsibility for packing, loading, and driving. A partial PPM lets you split the shipment: the government moves the majority of your belongings through a TSP, and you personally move a smaller portion — often a carload or small trailer — and receive a prorated payout based on that weight.
Most service members choose a partial PPM to balance convenience and extra income. Even moving a few hundred pounds yourself can yield several hundred dollars. Read our shipping household goods guide for details on the government-managed side of a split shipment.
Step-by-Step PPM Process
First, get your PCS orders and visit your local Transportation Office to counseling and authorize your PPM in the Defense Personal Property System (DPS). Next, arrange your own transportation — rent a truck, hire labor, or load up your personal vehicle and trailer. Before loading, get a certified empty weight ticket from a public scale. After loading, weigh again for your full weight ticket.
Once you arrive at your new duty station, submit your weight tickets, receipts for expenses (fuel, tolls, truck rental, packing materials), and your completed PPM claim through DPS. Finance will calculate the GCC and issue your payout, typically within 30 days. For a complete moving timeline, see our PCS guide.
Tax Implications of a PPM
Your PPM incentive payment is taxable income, but you can reduce your tax burden by deducting allowable moving expenses. Keep every receipt: truck rental, fuel, tolls, packing supplies, insurance, hiring help, and lodging during the move. The taxable amount is the incentive minus your documented expenses. Finance will withhold federal taxes upfront, and you will receive a W-2 reflecting the incentive. Consider consulting a military tax advisor or using free tax assistance at your installation to ensure you claim all allowable deductions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a DITY move and a PPM?
DITY (Do-It-Yourself) is the older term for what the military now officially calls a PPM (Personally Procured Move). They are the same program. You move your household goods yourself and receive a payout based on what the government would have paid a contractor.
How much money can I make on a PPM move?
Your PPM incentive is 100% of the Government Constructed Cost (GCC), which is what the government would have paid a moving company. The actual amount depends on the weight of your shipment and the distance of your move. Many service members net $2,000 to $8,000 after expenses on a full PPM.
Do I have to pay taxes on my PPM payout?
Yes. The portion of your PPM payout that exceeds your documented moving expenses is considered taxable income. You will receive a W-2 or 1099 for the incentive amount. Keep all receipts for truck rental, fuel, tolls, packing materials, and lodging to reduce your taxable portion.
Can I do a partial PPM and still use government movers?
Yes. A partial PPM is very common. The government ships the bulk of your household goods through a Transportation Service Provider (TSP), and you move a portion yourself — such as a trailer load of belongings — and receive a prorated PPM payout for the weight you moved.
What weight tickets do I need for a PPM?
You need certified weight tickets showing your vehicle or rental truck both empty (before loading) and full (after loading). Weigh at a certified public scale such as a CAT scale or a moving company scale. Without proper weight tickets, your claim will be delayed or denied.
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