Calculate your estimated reimbursement for a Personally Procured Move (PPM) in the US Army.
Estimated Reimbursement
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Understanding Your Army PPM Move Reimbursement
The Personally Procured Move (PPM), often referred to as a "Do-It-Yourself" or "DITY" move, allows service members to move their household goods themselves and receive reimbursement from the military. This reimbursement is intended to cover the costs associated with the move, up to the amount the government would have paid a commercial mover.
The calculation for PPM reimbursement is based on a combination of the distance of your move, the weight of your belongings, and a government-determined rate per pound. Additionally, you can claim reimbursement for certain allowable expenses incurred during the move.
How the Calculation Works:
The core of the PPM reimbursement is calculated using the following formula:
Transportation Incentive Payment (TIP): This is the primary payment you receive. It's calculated as:
(Total Weight Shipped in Pounds) * (Government Rate Per Pound)
While the distance is crucial for determining the movement of your goods and planning, it doesn't directly factor into the TIP calculation itself. The government rate per pound is an established figure that can vary, but is often around $0.55 per pound.
Reimbursement for Other Allowable Expenses: You can also be reimbursed for eligible expenses that you paid out-of-pocket. These can include:
Rental of a trailer or moving truck
Purchase of packing and shipping materials (boxes, tape, bubble wrap)
Weight tickets (essential to prove the weight of your shipment)
Fuel costs (if using a personal vehicle or rental truck)
RV sanitation services (if applicable)
Tolls and ferry fees
Total Estimated Reimbursement: The final estimated reimbursement is the sum of the TIP and your documented allowable expenses:
Total Reimbursement = TIP + Other Allowable Expenses
Important Considerations:
Weight Certificates: You MUST obtain official weight tickets from a certified weigh station. You'll need two: one for the empty vehicle (or truck/trailer) and one for the full vehicle. The difference is the net weight of your belongings.
Receipts: Keep meticulous records and original receipts for ALL expenses you plan to claim.
Authorization: Ensure you have the necessary authorization and counseling from your installation's transportation office (Garrison Traffic Management Office/TMO) before initiating your PPM.
Pro-Gear: Professional Gear (Pro-Gear) is often authorized for separate weight allowances and may have different reimbursement rates or limits. Consult your TMO for specifics.
Limits: Reimbursement is capped at the government's estimated cost for moving your goods commercially. You will not be reimbursed more than this amount, even if your actual expenses exceed it.
This calculator provides an estimate based on the common PPM calculation structure. Always consult official military regulations (like the Joint Travel Regulations – JTR) and your local Transportation Management Office (TMO) for definitive guidance and accurate reimbursement amounts specific to your situation.
function calculatePPM() {
var distance = parseFloat(document.getElementById("distance").value);
var weight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("weight").value);
var ratePerPound = parseFloat(document.getElementById("ratePerPound").value);
var otherExpenses = parseFloat(document.getElementById("otherExpenses").value);
var resultValueElement = document.getElementById("result-value");
resultValueElement.style.color = "#28a745"; // Reset to green
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(distance) || distance <= 0) {
resultValueElement.textContent = "Please enter a valid distance.";
resultValueElement.style.color = "#dc3545"; // Red for error
return;
}
if (isNaN(weight) || weight <= 0) {
resultValueElement.textContent = "Please enter a valid weight.";
resultValueElement.style.color = "#dc3545";
return;
}
if (isNaN(ratePerPound) || ratePerPound <= 0) {
resultValueElement.textContent = "Please enter a valid rate per pound.";
resultValueElement.style.color = "#dc3545";
return;
}
if (isNaN(otherExpenses) || otherExpenses < 0) { // Other expenses can be 0
resultValueElement.textContent = "Please enter a valid amount for other expenses.";
resultValueElement.style.color = "#dc3545";
return;
}
// Calculate TIP (Transportation Incentive Payment)
var tip = weight * ratePerPound;
// Calculate total estimated reimbursement
var totalReimbursement = tip + otherExpenses;
// Format the output as currency
var formattedReimbursement = "$" + totalReimbursement.toFixed(2);
resultValueElement.textContent = formattedReimbursement;
}