Short answer: Start planning the day you hear you're headed to Fort Gordon, but don't lock in big moves until your official orders arrive. Once you have orders, schedule your household goods move right away, especially in summer. Then use your house-hunting time (Army soldiers can request up to 10 days) to see homes in Evans and Columbia County in person. Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) can help cover up to 21 days in a hotel while you close or move in.
You just found out you're moving to Fort Gordon. Your brain is already doing the math. When do the movers come? Where will the kids go to school? How do we find a house in a town we've never seen?
Take a breath. You don't have to figure it all out today. You just need to know what comes next.
We're the Fairey Team, based in Evans, a short drive from post. Our Team Lead, Ehrin Fairey, moved 19 times as a military kid, served on active duty in the Air Force, and still serves in the Air Force Reserve. We've lived the PCS calendar. Here's the timeline we walk our military families through.
First, a Quick Note on the Name
It's Fort Gordon. The Army renamed the post Fort Eisenhower in 2023. In June 2025, it restored the Fort Gordon name, this time honoring Medal of Honor recipient Master Sgt. Gary I. Gordon, a hero of the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu.
Same post. You'll still see "Fort Eisenhower" on older websites and paperwork.
Why the Timeline Matters
Military OneSource says PCS orders generally last two to four years. That's long enough to want a home that truly fits, but you get only a short window to find it.
Book the movers late, and you may not get your dates. Rush the house hunt, and you could land in the wrong spot for your commute or your kids. Plan it well, and your family walks into a home that's ready for you.
Step 1: When You Get the Heads-Up (Before Official Orders)
Use this time to plan, not to commit. Military OneSource is clear on this: you can't schedule your move until official orders are in hand. If you work from a letter in lieu of orders and the move is canceled or changes, you can be stuck paying the costs.
What you can do right now:
- Look up your BAH. Fort Gordon is military housing area GA073. For 2026, BAH with dependents is $1,890 for E-5, $2,157 for E-6, and $2,250 for O-3. Confirm yours on the official DTMO BAH Rate Lookup.
- Decide whether to rent or buy. Our guide on whether to rent or buy when you PCS to Fort Gordon walks you through it.
- Get your VA Certificate of Eligibility and talk to a lender. If you plan to buy, a pre-approval tells you what your payment really looks like. Our Fort Gordon VA loan and 2026 BAH guide covers the basics.
- Start learning the area. Browse our neighborhoods page and compare towns with our Evans vs. Grovetown guide.
- Build your checklist. Military OneSource's free Plan My Move tool creates a custom PCS to-do list for your family.
Step 2: The Day Your Orders Arrive
This is when the clock really starts. Do these things first.
Schedule your household goods move
Log in to the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) and set up your shipment. Military OneSource says to contact your transportation office as soon as you get orders to improve your chances of getting the dates you want.
This matters most in peak season, May 15 to Sept. 30. You don't need a street address yet. Enter your destination city and ZIP code and add the address later.
Decide: movers, a PPM, or both
You've got options:
- Household goods (HHG) move: The government hires a mover to pack and ship your things.
- Personally procured move (PPM): Once called a DITY move. You move your own things, book it in DPS, and get reimbursed or paid an incentive based on what the government would have spent.
- Partial PPM: Movers take most of it, and you haul some yourself.
Any PPM needs certified empty and full weight tickets. Talk with your transportation office first.
Apply for on-post housing if you want it
Want to live on Fort Gordon? On-post family housing is run by Providence Family Homes. If you apply within 30 days of leaving your last duty station, your eligibility date is the day you left. Apply later, and it becomes your application date. So don't wait.
Call the Fort Gordon Housing Services Office
The Housing Services Office (HSO) helps with off-post housing too. It reviews leases and shares rental and sales listings. Its Rental Partnership Program can mean waived application fees and reduced deposits, with rent that won't exceed your BAH.
The HSO is in Darling Hall, Building 33720, Room 129. Call 706-791-5116. It's open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and closes at 2 p.m. on Thursdays.
Step 3: Your House-Hunting Window
Army house-hunting time (formerly permissive TDY)
Under Army Regulation 600-8-10, eligible soldiers can get up to 10 days of administrative absence for house hunting. It used to be called permissive TDY. Your losing commander can grant it before you sign in at Fort Gordon, or your gaining commander can grant it after you in-process.
Know three things:
- It isn't paid travel. It's a non-chargeable absence "at no expense to the Government." You won't burn leave days, but you cover your own costs.
- You need orders (or a request for orders) to Fort Gordon.
- Visit the Housing Services Office first. The regulation says soldiers must visit the supporting housing office before arranging to rent, lease or buy.
Soldiers moving straight into government quarters aren't eligible. In another branch? Ask your unit about its rules.
Make every day count
Ten days goes fast. Here's how we help:
- Before you arrive, we send listings that fit your BAH, commute and school wishes. We can do video walk-throughs so you skip homes that won't work.
- Check school zones by address. Don't trust a listing. Use our guide on how to find which schools serve a home in Evans and Columbia County.
- Drive your commute at rush hour. Your drive to post depends on your street, your gate and the time you leave.
Can't make the trip? You can still rent or buy from a distance with a local guide you trust.
Step 4: Arrival and Temporary Lodging
Your keys and your moving truck rarely show up the same day. That's where TLE helps. It partially pays for lodging and meals while you're in temporary lodging during a move within the continental U.S. Since Nov. 27, 2024, a CONUS-to-CONUS move can be covered for up to 21 days, capped at $290 a day. How much you get depends on local per diem rates and the size of your family.
A few rules to know:
- TLE is only for the area around your old or new duty station. It doesn't cover house hunting.
- You can't get TLE and PCS travel per diem for the same day.
- Check for available government lodging before you book a hotel.
Step 5: Settle In
Enroll the kids. Check your household goods at delivery and note any damage on the paperwork before the crew leaves. And if you bought, start thinking about your next PCS now. A free home valuation each year helps you know whether you'll sell or rent the home out when new orders come.
Your Fort Gordon PCS Timeline at a Glance
When | What to do |
|---|---|
Heads-up, before orders | Check BAH, decide rent vs. buy, get your VA COE and pre-approval, study neighborhoods |
Day orders arrive | Book your move in DPS, choose HHG or PPM, apply for on-post housing, call the HSO |
House-hunting window | Use up to 10 days (Army), tour homes, check school zones, drive the commute |
Arrival | Use TLE (up to 21 days, $290/day cap) while you close or move in |
Settled | Enroll kids, inspect deliveries, plan for your next PCS |
Your Simple 3-Step Plan With Us
- Tell us your timeline. Share your report date, pay grade and what matters most.
- We build your shortlist. We'll match homes to your BAH, commute and schools, and tour them with you in person or on video.
- Move in with confidence. We guide you through the offer or lease, the inspection and closing, on your military timeline.
Skip the plan, and you could end up with a lease you regret or a house that stretches your BAH. Follow it, and your family settles in fast, with a home that fits and a plan for whatever orders come next.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I start planning a PCS to Fort Gordon?
Start as soon as you hear you're moving. Research BAH, neighborhoods and schools, and get your VA pre-approval early. But don't schedule your move or sign anything big until official orders arrive. Military OneSource says you can't schedule your move without them.
How many days do you get for house hunting on a PCS?
In the Army, eligible soldiers can request up to 10 days of administrative absence (formerly permissive TDY) for house hunting under AR 600-8-10. It doesn't count as leave, but it isn't funded travel. Other branches have their own rules, so check with your unit.
Does TLE cover a house-hunting trip?
No. DFAS says TLE is only for temporary lodging near your old or new duty station during a PCS, not house hunting. For a CONUS-to-CONUS move, TLE covers up to 21 days, capped at $290 a day.
When should I schedule my household goods move?
As soon as you have official orders. Book it in the Defense Personal Property System and contact your transportation office right away. That matters most in peak season, May 15 to Sept. 30. You can enter your destination city and ZIP code first and add a street address later.
What is a PPM or DITY move?
A personally procured move (PPM), once called a DITY move, means you move your own household goods instead of using government movers. You book it in DPS, get certified empty and full weight tickets, and get reimbursed or paid an incentive based on what the government would have spent.
Can I buy a house before I arrive at Fort Gordon?
Often, yes. With a VA loan, you generally must plan to move in within 60 days of closing. A later date can work if a specific event, like your report date, makes it possible. If you're on active duty, your spouse moving in can also meet the rule.
How do I apply for on-post housing at Fort Gordon?
Apply through Providence Family Homes, which runs on-post family housing. If you apply within 30 days of leaving your last duty station, your eligibility date is the day you left. Call 706-772-7041 or visit the leasing office at 155 3rd Avenue.
Is Fort Gordon still called Fort Eisenhower?
No. The post was renamed Fort Eisenhower in 2023, and the Army restored the Fort Gordon name in June 2025. It now honors Medal of Honor recipient Master Sgt. Gary I. Gordon. You may still see the old name on older websites and paperwork.
Let's Make Your PCS Simple
Let us carry the housing part. Tell us your report date and must-haves, and we'll build a plan for your move to Evans and Columbia County.
- Call: (706) 480-5203
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit: 2580 Evans Trade Center, Evans, GA 30809
- Next step: Military relocation help · Explore neighborhoods · Get your home value
For a real-world look at what your BAH buys here, see what a Highland Lakes BAH actually buys in 2026. And for the full picture of life here, read moving to Evans and Columbia County and our cost of living guide.
Data notes: BAH from the 2026 rate table for MHA GA073 (with dependents). House-hunting rules from Army Regulation 600-8-10. TLE from DFAS and the Joint Travel Regulations (21-day CONUS limit effective Nov. 27, 2024). Move scheduling and PPM info from Military OneSource. Fort Gordon housing details from home.army.mil/gordon. VA occupancy rules from VA Pamphlet 26-7, Chapter 3. Rules change, so confirm with your unit, transportation office and finance office. General information, not legal or financial advice. Deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
The Ehrin Fairey Team | eXp Luxury. Equal Housing Opportunity.
