It’s Moving Time Again

This is the best time of year and the worst time of year for military families — the PCS, or permanent change of station. Mere mortals call it moving, but we in the military must have an acronym for everything so we call it PCSing.

PCS time happens for most military families in the summer, leaving some bases or posts a ghost town for a month or so until the new people PCS in. On our block, we have no less than 10 families leaving this year. We are among the last because we don’t leave until August. But the block has already become a flurry of activity with the packers and then the movers parked along the street. Not to mention it is summer in Alaska, so several RVs and travel trailers appeared as well. It can be hard driving around our little cul-de-sac.

I said this is the best time of year, and it is for those who are moving. Although the actual practice of moving is a pain, there is a sense of excitement and joy about going to a new base. Someone on base was stationed at the base you are moving to and can tell you how much they loved it. People are smiling because they finally know where they are going and when and can make plans. And for some reason, most people this year are happy about getting out of Fairbanks, myself included. I think it has something to do with the very wet, cold  summer that went straight into a wet, cold winter. And winters in the interior of Alaska can be brutal — very sub-zero temperatures and lots of darkness. Others are tired of what they term “the drama” that happens on any base but is more noticeable on a small installation like ours.

For me, this is my second time at this same base and I feel I’ve done everything we can do in Alaska. Not thinking that we would ever be back, we did a lot of the sight-seeing things the first time around. Although I am still enthralled by the moose walking down the street, I no longer run for my camera. We’ve barely gone to Denali National Park or Anchorage this time around. It’s no big deal to me.

The worst part comes when you have to say goodbye to the friends you have made during your tour. Last year, one of my closest friends left, and while that was hard on me, it was harder on her because she was leaving our little group of people. This year, our group is all leaving, which makes it  easier to move, but, at the same time, it is still hard because we are all splitting up. Since we leave last,  I feel like it is our job to turn off the lights and lock the door when we leave.

The excitement comes from knowing we will only be a few hours away from some of our friends who are also leaving. I also find the unknown exciting as well.What does God have planned for me at the new base? Will I ever see my husband again now that we are going to a much bigger base? Will I make new friends and who will they be? I guess I’ll have to wait and see until August. In the meantime, happy PCSing and remember, if you are not moving, to welcome the newcomers. You could end up best friends.