(This article originally appeared in the October 2026 issue of Military Officer magazine.)

For many military families, the hardest part of a PCS isn’t packing boxes or coordinating the delivery of household goods — it’s finding child care once they’ve arrived at their new home.

Reporting to a new command, going through in-processing steps, looking for a house, unpacking, and setting up a new routine is much more complicated when child care isn’t immediately available. Recognizing that challenge, the Pentagon began offering a pilot program that reimburses eligible active duty servicemembers for the cost of bringing a trusted caregiver — such as a relative, family friend, or other designated adult — to help during the transition. The pilot runs through Sept. 30, 2027.

The reimbursement is available when families are unable to secure full-time care at a military child development center within 30 days of arriving after a PCS. Rather than scrambling to piece together last-minute child care while balancing the demands of a move, eligible families can offset some of the travel costs of bringing in someone they already know and trust.

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Servicemembers may be reimbursed up to $500 for moves within the continental U.S. and up to $1,500 for moves to, from, or between overseas locations.

Covered expenses include commercial airfare, train or bus fare, transportation to and from airports or stations, and certain rental car costs. Lodging, meals, mileage for personally owned vehicles, and child care provider wages are not covered.

Not every military family qualifies. Servicemembers must have at least one preschool-age child, request full-time care through MilitaryChildcare.com before arriving, and receive confirmation that no full-time space is available within 30 days.

If married, the spouse must also be employed, actively seeking employment, or enrolled as a full-time student.

The designated caregiver must be at least 18 years old and cannot be the servicemember’s dependent.

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The process starts with requesting care through MilitaryChildcare.com as early as possible. Families who meet the eligibility requirements will receive the documentation needed to submit reimbursement with their PCS travel voucher. Families must generally file claims within one year of reporting to the new duty station.

A PCS will probably never be stress-free, especially with young children in tow. But for families facing long waitlists for military child development centers, this pilot program can provide something just as valuable as financial assistance: a familiar set of hands during one of military life’s busiest transitions.