TMO makes moving easier with Internet room Published Sept. 14, 2010 By Connie Hempel 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- It seems that more companies are trying to make life easier by automating everything, but when you're getting ready to move to your new duty location, the last thing you want to deal with is filling out personal property moving forms online, because trying to figure out what information belongs in each box can get frustrating. The Defense Department streamlined its process of household goods moves by changing to the Defense Personal Property System program, a centralized computer system, in late 2008. The program allows members to fill out their moving forms at anytime and from anywhere with Internet access. While the change was designed to improve the moving experience for servicemembers, civilian employees and their families, Goodfellow's Traffic Management office took it a step further and modified their briefing room into an Internet room. With 34 computers and staff available to help, members can now learn how to maneuver through the system and correctly fill out the forms at their convenience. "With the classroom idea we go step-by-step, screen-by-screen, so if something comes up, we are there to help them," said Gina Hoover, 17th Logistic Readiness Squadron TMO Officer. "They'll also know what needs to be in certain areas." The DP3 program was designed for members to be able to fill out the moving forms on their own, but many people here were having problems. "A lot of people couldn't get into the system and there were many obstacles that we were faced with," she said. One major issue Ms. Hoover noted was students' accessibility to the Web site. "Many students don't have computers and only have access to their work computer, which restricted some sites, and the program wasn't compatible with the library's computers," she said. "Our Internet room allows them to actually go into the system and we can walk them through it and get them accustomed to it." Getting students familiar with the system now will help them with future moves, too, Ms. Hoover said. "Hopefully by teaching them now, they'll know how to get into the system and use it the next time they have to PCS," she said. Having the Internet room also allows for more briefings and frees up TMO staff to tackle more difficult cases. Currently there are only two briefings - personal property moves and unaccompanied baggage - held a few times a week, but the new room will allow for more briefings, grouping personnel moving overseas and those moving stateside. "I'm hoping this room alleviates a lot of issues for those moving because moving is stressful the way it is," Ms. Hoover said.
