We value continuity at CMSA in what can often feel like a chaotic and otherwise uncertain world. August included our annual chapter leadership training in preparation for another season of CMSA Chapter meetings and fundraisers. Events that support our annual scholarship and charity programs have long been a source of pride. The willingness of members to step up and volunteer their efforts for the betterment of the association and the industry speaks to qualities that are not celebrated as they should be but are not uncommon in the moving community. Most movers want to help others, willing to step into difficult situations and say don’t worry, I’ve got this. We take pride in performing challenging tasks and providing customer satisfaction, frequently with long hours away from home and family; for that, we deserve to be fairly compensated!

At the end of August, I was in Spreckels, California, to celebrate the life of the first woman CMSA Chair, Barbara Marcantonio. Barbara was CMSA chair from 1990-91, and her family was rightfully proud of her accomplishments. CMSA Chairman Vince Cardinale and member Gary Plummer joined me in attending the memorial mass for Barbara. Spreckels is a charming little town where time appears to have stopped, and it is worth a quick stop if you are on the 101, passing through Salinas.

While in the area, I talked with several movers in the Monterey Peninsula and Salinas area, which has a long history of serving the US Military, from the days of the vast Army installation at Fort Ord to the significantly smaller yet still important traffic that exists today.
There were questions about an email from US TransCom dated 8/27/24 (see below for partial content related to California movers).

Beginning in September, transportation offices servicing the following installations can issue task orders for local government-arranged household goods shipments under GHC:
- Presidio of Monterey
- Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach
- Naval Postgraduate School Monterey
- Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

Besides adding locations, GHC will also expand beyond local government-arranged household goods shipments and begin conducting a limited number of interstate moves between select GHC-live locations. In September, transportation offices will have the ability to submit task orders for a limited number of shipments moving between the following locations:
• Norfolk, Va. to/from Seattle, Wash. area
• Norfolk, Va. to/from Jacksonville, Fla. area
• Norfolk, Va. to/from San Diego, Calif. area
• San Diego, Calif. to/from Seattle, Wash. area

These additions will allow the DOD to ramp up shipment numbers with projected volume under GHC for the month of September to be approximately 4% of the total monthly average of domestic DOD shipments (based on three years of historic domestic data). The DOD is aiming to achieve full GHC domestic implementation by spring 2025 with current plans to add more installations and increase shipment volume totals monthly. International shipments under GHC are expected to begin no earlier than September 2025. All plans for the GHC phase-in are subject to change, and USTRANSCOM will share updates as they become available.

As of Aug. 20, the DOD had sent 116 task orders to HomeSafe Alliance, the primary GHC contractor, for shipment requests submitted across the initial sites, with a total of 94 shipments completed under GHC. Although current sample size is too small to be considered statistically significant, the DPMO can report that 96% of GHC customers who submitted survey responses rated their overall move experience as satisfied or better.

The common theme among movers who have long supported the military and adapted to the ever-changing rules and regulations established by the SDDC and then US TransCom was concern and lack of clarity. I think this lack of clarity among movers who have dedicated their careers and significant assets to supporting the movement of military members and their families speaks poorly of the process and implementation of the Global Household Goods (GHC) program.

September 2024 - CMSA Communicator