Who to call, week by week, for your move to MCRD San Diego
Pick your report date and a few answers. You get the steps in order, the official guidance behind each one, and the local businesses and base offices to call.
Who and what is moving with you?
16 steps for your move to MCRD San Diego. Your answers never leave this page.
As soon as you have orders
Start now
- 1
Call your transportation office to schedule the military move
As soon as you receive your PCS orders
Military OneSource says contacting your local transportation office to schedule the shipment as soon as orders arrive improves your chances of getting the moving dates that work for you.
- 2
Moving yourself? Check your entitlements, then line up local movers
Before you start a full or partial PPM
Military OneSource says it is best to contact your transportation office before a full or partial personally procured move, so you understand all of your entitlements.
- 3
Call the base housing office
As soon as you know you are moving
Call about on base housing at the depot, which is only five historic homes assigned to officers of rank O-6 and above....
Source: MCRD San Diego official website, Military Housing Office page
Who to call
- Military Housing Office (MCRD San Diego)(619) 524-8082
- 4
Request child care and call centers near the base
As soon as you know your duty station and tentative arrival date
MilitaryChildCare.com says requesting care then gets you on the waitlist, and suggests requesting several programs and program types, such as a child development center and family child care.
Source: MilitaryChildCare.com, How to Request Child Care
Who to call
- Child Development Center (MCCS San Diego)(619) 524-4430
- Kid Ventures Liberty Station Preschool(619) 573-9625
- Warren-Walker Early Learning Center(619) 771-3663
- Early Learners Children's Academy(619) 291-5200
- 5
Buying a home? Compare VA lenders
Once you have orders, before you shop for a home
VA says lenders offer different interest rates and fees, so shop around for the loan that best meets your needs.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Buying a home with a VA-backed loan
Before you arrive
The weeks before your report date
- 6
Reconfirm your child care request
45 days before the date you need care, if you asked more than 60 days ahead
MilitaryChildCare.com says a request made more than 60 days before you need care must be reconfirmed 45 days before your date care needed.
Source: MilitaryChildCare.com, FAQs
- 7
Talk to a real estate agent
After you are notified of the assignment; buy only once orders are in hand
Military OneSource suggests starting to look at places to live once you know your next assignment, and cautions against permanent decisions, such as buying a home, until you have orders.
Source: Military OneSource, Arranging a Personal Property Shipment
- 8
Renting? Check the lease for a military clause
Before you sign a rental contract
Military OneSource says to make sure the contract has a military clause that lets you break the lease if you are reassigned or deployed.
Source: Military OneSource, On- and Off-Base Housing and Living
- 9
Buying? Book a home inspection before you close
During the purchase, before closing
VA strongly recommends an inspection for major defects before you buy, and notes that a VA appraisal is not the same as an inspection.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Buying a home with a VA-backed loan
- 10
Reserve base lodging
Before you travel
Call the front desk to book a room on the depot for a PCS move, TDY or a visit; families with children under 7 or...
Source: MCCS San Diego, Lodging at MCRD San Diego page
Who to call
- Lodging (Marine Lodge San Diego)(619) 524-4401
- 11
Arrive before your household goods, or line up storage
A day or more before the delivery date
Military OneSource recommends arriving a day or more before your scheduled delivery so your things do not go into storage, since getting a stored shipment delivered again can take up to a few weeks.
- 12
Call the school liaison
Before you choose where to live
Call for help with local schools and for changing schools after a PCS move. The program covers the depot and the Western...
Source: MCCS San Diego, School Liaison page
Who to call
- School liaison (MCRD San Diego and Western Recruiting Region School Liaison Program)(619) 524-8032
The week you arrive
Your report week
- 13
Stop at the visitor center for passes
When you first reach the gate
Call about base passes, vehicle registration and decals for the depot. The page says visitors enter through Gate 5 off...
Source: MCRD San Diego official website, Vehicle Registration and ID Cards page
Who to call
- Pass and ID (Vehicle Registration office at Gate 5)(619) 524-4200
- 14
Clean the new place before the movers deliver
Before the movers arrive at the new home
Military OneSource suggests pre-cleaning the new bathroom and kitchen, and leaving enough time so you are not cleaning around boxes.
- 15
Keep pets safe on moving days
On pack, pickup and delivery days
Military OneSource asks families to make sure pets are secured and out of the way whenever packers and movers are at the home.
- 16
Update ID cards and DEERS
After you sign in at the new base
Call about military ID cards and family member enrollment at the depot. The page asks most people to book an appointment...
Source: MCRD San Diego official website, Vehicle Registration and ID Cards page
Who to call
- ID card office (DEERS and RAPIDS), MCRD ID Card Center(619) 524-8740
About this plan
When should I start calling people before a PCS to MCRD San Diego?
As soon as you have orders. Call your transportation office to schedule the military move, Moving yourself? Check your entitlements, then line up local movers, Call the base housing office, Request child care and call centers near the base, Buying a home? Compare VA lenders. Each step on this page shows the official guidance it comes from.
Do my answers or my report date get sent anywhere?
No. The plan is built in your browser and your answers stay on your device. Nothing is sent to us or to any business until you choose to call or send a Get Quotes request.
Where do I find BAH and schools for MCRD San Diego?
MilitaryLineup covers who to call. BaseReady.app covers what to know, including housing allowance from the official rate files and school districts.