--- title: What Is a Personally Procured Move (PPM)? | O'Brien's url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/personally-procured-move/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving and storage glossary](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/) - Personally procured move # What is a personally procured move? A personally procured move, or PPM, is a military move in which the service member moves household items themselves instead of having the government schedule a mover. It is booked in the Defense Personal Property System with official orders, and it comes in two forms, full and partial. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Service members with orders sometimes choose to do part or all of a move on their own. The name for that choice is a PPM, and it is also called a do-it-yourself move. ## Full and partial PPMs Military OneSource explains the difference. A household goods move is one where the government schedules a mover to pack, ship and unpack. A full PPM, also known as a do-it-yourself move, is when the member decides to move the household items instead. A partial PPM is done together with a household goods move, for example when a member carries some items in a personal vehicle while the mover ships the rest. ## How it is booked A PPM is created as a shipment in the Defense Personal Property System, and the system helps calculate the estimated incentive payment. Orders are needed to book, and the local installation transportation office is the place to confirm entitlements before you start. Weight tickets, both full and empty, are part of the documentation, so planning where to weigh a rented truck or portable container belongs at the front of the plan. ## Where a moving company can still help Some members want to drive the truck themselves but would like help with the heavy loading. O'Brien's loads and unloads rental trucks, trailers and PODS, and it also sells packing supplies at the Sparks office. O'Brien's is DOD approved to move and store military household goods; government-arranged moves are booked through the installation Personal Property Office and DPS, not directly with a mover. The comparison of the two paths is on [government move vs PPM](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/military-moving/government-move-vs-ppm/). ## Before you commit - Get counseling at your transportation office first - Create the shipment in DPS before moving - Plan the weighing of the vehicle, full and empty - Keep receipts as the transportation office advises See [how DPS works](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/military-moving/dps-explained/) and the [PCS moving checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/military-moving/pcs-checklist/) for the rest. ## How a PPM fits the rest of a military move A PPM is one of several shipment types, and a member can combine it with a government-arranged shipment. The transportation office is the right place to hear how your own orders treat each part, because entitlements differ by orders. After the move, the paperwork goes back to that same office. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [Military OneSource, Personal Property FAQs](https://www.militaryonesource.mil/moving-pcs/plan-to-move/military-pcs-moving-faqs/) - [Military OneSource, Moving Your Personal Property](https://www.militaryonesource.mil/moving-pcs/moving-personal-property/) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Moving and storage glossary](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/) - [Government-arranged move vs PPM](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/military-moving/government-move-vs-ppm/) - [How DPS works for your household goods move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/military-moving/dps-explained/) - [Military moves and storage (DOD approved)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/military-moving/) Moving glossary ## Read next - [Non temporary storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/non-temporary-storage/) - [Expedited service](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/expedited-service/) - [Guaranteed pickup and delivery](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/guaranteed-pickup-and-delivery/) - [Third party services](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/third-party-services/) - [Certificate of insurance](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/certificate-of-insurance/) - [Elevator carry](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/elevator-carry/) - [Bulky article](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/bulky-article/) - [Constructive weight](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/constructive-weight/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Do I need orders for a PPM? Yes. Official orders are needed to book any move through DPS, including a PPM. ### Can I use a portable container for a PPM? Military OneSource says yes, as long as the delivering company weighs the container empty before drop-off, since full and empty weight tickets are required. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) N Nicole B. June 25, 2025 The crew worked extremely hard and treated our belongings with care. Customer service was outstanding leading up to, during, and after move. Thank you! C Charles C. May 31, 2025 Great company, I'd highly recommend for any move!!! ### Owner's reply Charles, It was a pleasure working with you on your moves. We hope your trip is amazing and if you ever come back our way, we will be happy to help. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to complete this review on our behalf. N Nadine K. May 15, 2025 The guys were very friendly and hard working. Would definitely use them again! ### Owner's reply Nadine, We are pleased you chose us for your move, it was a pleasure working with you! We are extremely happy the move was a success. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070