Personal Property: Moving the force

Editor’s note: This feature is the first in a three-part series highlighting different sections of the traffic management office at Cannon.

link U.S. Air Force photo: Senior Airman Eboni Reece

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Travis Worthy, 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron personal property counselor, assists a customer with requesting shipment of his household goods in the personal property office, May 13 at Cannon Air Force Base. Personal property counselors are trained to properly gather necessary information and advise a customer on which options are available to them and arrange their move.

By Senior Airman Eboni Reece

27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

Soon after receiving notification of Permanent Change of Station orders, an appointment with the Traffic Management Office is at the top of a service member’s to-do list.

Currently in the midst of “peak season,” which lasts from late April until early August, the personnel within the personal property office at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico encounter dozens of individuals on a daily basis preparing for a transition to either their next military installation or out of military service.

During this process, timing is vital and flexibility is key.

“Our main priority is to not put any additional burden or hardships on families,” explained Tech. Sgt. Herbert Hunter, 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron NCO in charge of personal property “Although we encourage our customers to be flexible in selecting their shipment dates, we understand that timing is everything. The dates and times our customers request are very important to them and we do everything in our power to meet their needs.”

Ironically, the individuals in the personal property office do not deal directly with anyone’s personal property. These specialists are counselors who act as a liaison between a service member, the Joint Personal Property Shipping Office and the Transportation Service Provider. Based upon the uniqueness of each service member’s situation, the counselors are trained to properly gather necessary information and advise a customer on which options are available to them and arrange their move.

To counteract the high volume of customers the personal property office receives, customers also have the option to self-counsel with the use the Defense Personal Property System. Provided the member’s Report No Later Than Date is more than 30 days away; this is a useful and valued option which concurrently reduces customer wait time.

Cannon’s TMO personal property office personnel deal with armed forces members of all ranks and from all branches of service. The staff is dedicated to providing optimum customer service and determined to help make one’s next move their best move.

“The most rewarding part of being a personal property counselor is seeing the weight lifted off our customers’ shoulders,” stated Airman 1st Class Travis Worthy, 27 SOLRS personal property counselor. “Not only do I counsel service members, but oftentimes spouses and dependents of deployed service members will come in for counselling as well. I find comfort in knowing that I’m helping people and making their moves easier.”