Movers Near McGuire AFB NJ | JBMDL Military Moving Guide
Keep It Moving Services is a Burlington County moving company that handles PCS moves, PPM/DITY relocations, and residential moves to and from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) — and we’re local to the area. Whether you’re rotating into McGuire AFB, separating after your service commitment at Fort Dix, or relocating your family off base, having a mover who knows Burlington County makes a material difference in how the day goes.
If you’re stationed at JBMDL or moving to the surrounding area — from Pemberton Township to Burlington City — this guide covers the essentials: how to choose the right move type, what to look for in a military moving company, and what we offer military families specifically. We offer a military discount for active-duty service members and veterans.
On This Page
- About JBMDL: The Base and the Move
- GHC vs. PPM: Which Move Type Is Right for You?
- The PPM Process: From Orders to Reimbursement
- Choosing a Moving Company Near McGuire AFB
- Burlington County Neighborhoods Near the Base
- How Keep It Moving Services Helps Military Families
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. About JBMDL: The Base and the Move
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is one of the largest military installations on the East Coast, combining what were formerly three separate bases — McGuire Air Force Base, Fort Dix Army installation, and Naval Air Station Lakehurst — into a single joint command in 2009. Located in Burlington County near Wrightstown, the base is home to more than 44,000 service members, civilians, and family members across all four branches.
PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders cycle through JBMDL constantly. The 87th Air Base Wing operates at McGuire, the Army Reserve’s 99th Readiness Division is headquartered at Fort Dix, and Lakehurst hosts naval aviation operations and research. That diversity of mission means a steady flow of service members moving in, through, and out of the base — and a consistent demand for reliable, local moving services that actually know the territory.
If you’re moving to or from JBMDL for the first time, the most important decision you’ll make before contacting any mover is choosing between a government-assigned move and a personally procured move.
2. GHC vs. PPM: Which Move Type Is Right for You?
The DoD gives service members a choice in how their household goods are moved. Understanding both options upfront saves a lot of confusion later.
Government-Selected Carrier (GHC)
A GHC move is fully coordinated by the Department of Defense. They select a Transportation Service Provider (TSP), set the pickup and delivery windows, and manage the paperwork and claims process. You don’t pay out of pocket, but you don’t choose who handles your belongings or when they show up.
The GHC process has improved under the Global Household Goods Contract, which introduced more TSP accountability. That said, service members still have limited control over the mover assigned to them — especially if you have high-value or fragile household goods where that choice matters most.
Personally Procured Move (PPM)
A PPM — formerly called a DITY (Do-It-Yourself) move — is when you arrange and pay for your own move, then submit for reimbursement from the government at up to 95% of what a GHC move would have cost. Any savings under that ceiling, you keep.
PPM gives you complete control: the mover you hire, the schedule, and how your belongings are handled. For service members with specific scheduling constraints or items that warrant extra care, PPM typically delivers a better outcome than a government-assigned move.
For the authoritative guidance on both options, Military OneSource’s JBMDL household goods page is the place to start.
3. The PPM Process: From Orders to Reimbursement
If you go the PPM route, here’s what the process looks like from orders to final reimbursement.
1. Verify your weight entitlement
Your authorized weight allowance is based on your rank and dependency status. Once PCS orders are cut, confirm your entitlement through your Transportation Office (TO) or at move.mil, the DoD’s official moving portal.
2. Get certified weight tickets — before and after loading
This is the step most service members get wrong. Before your mover loads the truck, get a certified weight ticket showing the empty (tare) weight. After loading, get a second certified ticket at gross weight. Both are required for reimbursement — without both tickets, your claim will be denied. Confirm the weigh station process with your mover before you book.
3. Hire and vet your mover
Get at least two estimates. Verify the mover holds an active USDOT number and NJ-PM state license. Confirm they can provide a Certificate of Insurance if your on-base housing requires one — that’s covered in detail in the next section.
4. Document everything before and after
Photograph every item and every room before the move begins. Keep all receipts — packing materials, storage if used, any add-on services. This documentation supports both your reimbursement claim and any damage claims.
5. Submit your reimbursement claim
Submit to your Transportation Office within 45 days of delivery. You’ll need both weight tickets, all receipts, and your DD Form 2278 (move authorization). Reimbursement typically processes within a few weeks.
4. Choosing a Moving Company Near McGuire AFB
Not every moving company near JBMDL is equipped to handle a military relocation smoothly. Here’s what to verify before you sign anything.
Active DOT and NJ state license. Any mover operating in New Jersey must hold a USDOT number and an NJPM (New Jersey Public Movers and Warehousemen) license. Both are publicly searchable at FMCSA’s SaferSys and take about 60 seconds to verify. If a company can’t produce these numbers, stop there.
COI readiness. Some on-base and privatized housing facilities at JBMDL require a Certificate of Insurance from your mover before they’ll allow access past the gate. Not all facilities require this — but when they do, a mover who doesn’t have the right coverage on file means your delivery gets blocked at the worst possible moment. Ask upfront. (Learn more about COIs for NJ movers.)
PPM weight ticket knowledge. If you’re doing a PPM, ask whether the company understands the DoD weight ticket process. A mover who has never handled a military PPM move may not know the sequence — empty ticket first, then loaded ticket — which creates problems at the reimbursement stage.
Local vs. national. National chain movers may have name recognition, but their dispatchers are often hours away from Burlington County and unfamiliar with the roads, the base access routes, and the local housing stock. A Burlington County-based mover brings something a national brand can’t replicate: they’ve driven these roads, and they’re 15 minutes from the gate.
We got a call once from a family whose scheduled mover backed out 36 hours before their move-out date — lease ending, base housing already reassigned, nowhere to go. They needed a mover who had a COI on file and could mobilize the next morning. We were local, the paperwork was ready, and we had them covered. That’s not something you can plan for. It’s what local coverage actually means in practice.
Valuation coverage. Ask about full-value replacement vs. released value coverage. Military household goods often include high-value items — antiques, electronics, musical instruments — that standard released value (60 cents per pound) doesn’t adequately protect.
5. Burlington County Neighborhoods Near the Base
JBMDL sits in Wrightstown in Burlington County, and most service members and their families live in the surrounding communities. Here’s a quick orientation.
Wrightstown is the borough immediately adjacent to the base’s main gate — small (about 1,600 residents) and predominantly serving the military community. Most housing here is within minutes of base access, which simplifies logistics considerably.
Pemberton Township and Browns Mills cover a larger residential area 10–15 minutes from the gate. This is one of the highest concentrations of military and veteran families in Burlington County, with a range of housing options at various price points. KIMS serves Pemberton Township.
Mount Holly sits about 20 minutes north of JBMDL on Route 541. It’s the Burlington County seat — an established town with good schools, a walkable downtown, and diverse housing stock. Popular with families who want more than the immediate base orbit.
Bordentown is 25 minutes north near I-295 and the Burlington-Mercer County line. Good for commuters who want flexibility — Bordentown sits close to both JBMDL and the Trenton-area job market.
Hainesport and Lumberton are quieter suburban communities in central Burlington County — newer housing stock, family-friendly layouts, and straightforward moving logistics.
Lakehurst / Manchester Township (Ocean County) covers the NAS Lakehurst portion of the joint base, which is technically in Ocean County. Keep It Moving Services covers Ocean County communities as part of our 11-county NJ service area.
Planning a move to Burlington City or the broader Burlington County area? Our Burlington NJ movers guide covers county-specific access conditions and what to expect.
6. How Keep It Moving Services Helps Military Families
Keep It Moving Services is a Burlington County-based moving company operating under DOT 4197741, MC 1719484, and NJPM 39PM00500100. We’re licensed, insured, and local — not a national franchise dispatching from a call center in another state.
Here’s what we offer military families specifically:
- Military discount. Active-duty service members, veterans, and military family members receive a discount on their move. Details are on our military discounts page.
- COI on file. We carry the general liability and cargo insurance required for NJ residential moves and can provide a Certificate of Insurance on request — typically same-day.
- PPM familiarity. We understand the weight ticket process and can work around your PCS timeline to make sure the documentation sequence is right before anything gets loaded.
- Full-service or labor-only. Packing, loading, transport, and unloading — or just loading and unloading if you’re managing the truck yourself.
- Pricing transparency. Hourly rate, crew size, and our $650 job minimum are disclosed upfront. No surprises on the final bill.
For common questions about pricing, COIs, and what a move typically includes, our KIMS FAQ page is a good starting point before calling.
Ready to plan your JBMDL move? Get a free estimate — in-person or virtual, anywhere across our New Jersey service area. We got you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PPM move and how does it work for service members at JBMDL?
A Personally Procured Move (PPM) is when you arrange your own move and get reimbursed by the government at up to 95% of what they would have paid for a government-assigned move. You’ll need certified weight tickets (empty and loaded), all move-related receipts, and your DD Form 2278. Submit to your Transportation Office within 45 days of delivery. The DoD’s official PPM guidance is at move.mil.
Does Keep It Moving Services offer a military discount?
Yes. Active-duty service members, veterans, and military family members receive a discount on their move with Keep It Moving Services. Visit our military discounts page for details, or mention your service status when requesting a free estimate.
Do movers need a COI to deliver to on-base housing at JBMDL?
Some on-base and privatized housing facilities at JBMDL require a Certificate of Insurance from your mover before granting gate access. When they do, a mover without one on file means your delivery gets blocked at the gate. Keep It Moving Services carries the required coverage and can provide a COI on request, usually same-day. If you’re unsure whether your housing requires one, contact your housing office when you get your move-in date. More about COIs for NJ movers.
What’s the difference between a GHC move and a PPM?
A GHC (Government-Selected Carrier) move is fully coordinated by the DoD — they choose the mover, set the schedule, and manage the process. A PPM lets you hire your own moving company and get reimbursed by the government. PPM gives you control over which mover handles your belongings and when, and if you come in under the government’s benchmark, you keep the difference.
What areas near Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst does Keep It Moving Services serve?
We cover the full Burlington County area — Wrightstown, Pemberton Township, Browns Mills, Mount Holly, Bordentown, Hainesport, and surrounding communities. We also serve Ocean County communities near NAS Lakehurst. Our full service area spans 11 NJ counties — see the full map.
How far in advance should I book movers for a PCS move near JBMDL?
As early as possible — ideally 4–6 weeks out from your move date. PCS season peaks from May through August, and availability in the Burlington County area tightens quickly during that window. Once you have orders, reach out for a free estimate even if your dates aren’t confirmed yet.
What should I look for when hiring a moving company near McGuire AFB?
Verify their USDOT number and NJ-PM license — both are searchable at FMCSA’s SaferSys. Confirm they carry general liability and cargo insurance. Ask whether they can provide a COI if your housing requires one. If you’re doing a PPM, confirm they understand the weight ticket process. And choose a company that’s actually local to Burlington County — not one dispatching from an hour away.
