If you’re heading into PCS season in 2026, heading OCONUS, and dealing with life, you’re already stressed – and now that you’re hearing “there might be delays,” your cortisol levels are probably even higher.

So what exactly do the conflicts with Iran have to do with your PCS?

This isn’t just peak season backlog. The conflict with Iran is disrupting how the military ships household goods, and some families are already feeling it.

What’s Causing the Delays for the 2026 PCS Season?

According to a March 10th Department of Defense memo, the ongoing conflict has caused major disruptions to air and sea shipping routes, especially in the Middle East.

That includes:

• Port operations being suspended
• Airspace closures
• Ships unable to safely move through key areas like the Strait of Hormuz

A Pentagon official told Task & Purpose that the disruptions may impact more than 1,000 service members’ shipments, including many who are in the process of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move.

Nobody Prepared You for Military Life

But we can help. Join over 100k spouses already getting the advice, resources, and military tea they need to thrive.

​

Subscribe

Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.

Who Is Impacted in the 2026 PCS Season?

For families PCSing overseas, this is where the stress is really starting to show. Some are seeing weeks-long delays for their household goods, while others are being told shipments are paused until things are more stable.

Even if you’re not going overseas, you might still see some changes or delays. With rising fuel costs, shifting traffic, and tighter logistics, PCS delays could affect some CONUS moves, too.

Officials noted that while moving companies are expected to see higher operating costs due to rising fuel and logistics expenses, those increases generally won’t affect service members whose moves are fully covered and arranged through the Department of Defense.

However, it can matter for families using a Personally Procured Move (PPM), and those families may notice higher rates in the commercial market as fuel and transportation costs rise.

Right now, the biggest issue families are facing is delays in HHGs being shipped, but some families are already seeing effects from stop movements, with orders being delayed by several months. Be prepared to see:

• Adjusted report dates
• Delays tied to logistics
• Shifts based on operational priorities

It doesn’t mean your orders will change, but this kind of environment requires a flexible mindset.

What Families Can Do Now to Prepare for PCS Season 2026

You can’t control what’s happening globally, but you can make this PCS a little less stressful by staying flexible.

It’s really about expecting things to take longer than planned and not letting every shift throw you completely off track. It feels impossible, but having a mindset shift really can make all the difference.

A few things that actually help you prepare for the 2026 PCS season:

• Keep the basics with you – documents, medications, school records, and anything you’d normally carry with you during a PCS, plus anything you’d be annoyed not to have.
• Plan for your household goods to arrive later than expected, even if you’re told everything is on schedule.
• Stay in touch with your transportation office, even when it feels like you’re not getting much new info.
• If your dates change at all, start looking at temporary housing options early instead of waiting until the last minute.

If your shipment is delayed or your orders are disrupted, use the support systems available through the military. They’re not always clearly communicated, but they do exist for situations like this.