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Get the free Playbook →PCS RELOCATION — NAS JACKSONVILLE & NAVAL STATION MAYPORT
PCS to Jacksonville, FL
Got orders? This is the whole playbook — timeline, money, neighborhoods, and keys — built by a Marine Corps veteran who does this move for a living.
Built by a Marine Corps veteran · No obligation · (904) 517-4049
Start with the questions that actually drive the move
- Where am I actually reporting?
- What does the commute really look like?
- What does my BAH realistically support?
- Should I buy before I arrive?
- Do I sell or keep my current home?
- What happens if the orders change again?
The PCS Timeline — 8 steps
- 1
Orders in hand
Pull your COE, run entitlement math (entitlement calculator), get a real pre-approval. Request your VA COE.
- 2
House-hunting window
Virtual tours plus a house-hunting trip. Permissive TDY is a command-level benefit, commonly up to 10 days for CONUS house hunting, never guaranteed.
- 3
Contract before arrival
Remote and POA closings when a spouse is underway. VA occupancy rule: move in within 60 days of closing. Exceptions exist.
- 4
Travel
Authorized days at about 350 miles per day; MALT per-mile plus per diem.
- 5
Arrival & TLE
Up to 10 days TLE total for CONUS PCS (JTR), splittable between old and new stations, receipts required, capped by locality per diem. Stays with friends or family pay the meals portion only. Navy Lodge and Gateway Inns at both bases — book early.
- 6
DLA
One-time flat Dislocation Allowance, no receipts, offsets household setup costs, and can be requested in advance through your PSD or pay office.
- 7
Check-in & the BAH switch
Jacksonville BAH starts on report to the new station; old-station BAH stops. Update DEERS, address, and insurance the same week. Dependent-location exceptions exist.
- 8
HHG & settle-in
File your travel claim promptly with receipts, enroll the kids, and file the Florida homestead exemption by March 1 after your purchase year.
NAS Jax vs. Mayport Playbooks
SAME BAH — one “JACKSONVILLE, FL” housing area covers both gates.
NAS Jacksonville (32212)
On the west bank of the St. Johns River; the Navy's largest installation in the Southeast (P-8, MH-60).
Buyer gravity: Orange Park, Fleming Island, Middleburg, Mandarin, Green Cove Springs, and Clay County overall.
Naval Station Mayport (32228)
At the river's mouth; the major surface fleet and LCS hub.
Buyer gravity: Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Arlington, and Southside.
Both bases: Fleet & Family Support Center check-in, Navy Lodge for the TLE window, and a housing-office briefing.
2026 BAH — Jacksonville MHA
At $0 down VA, E-6 BAH covers the payment on a real Jacksonville-area home — run the numbers: BAH calculator and buy-power calculator. Check overall affordability with the affordability calculator.
| Rank | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,181 | $1,803 |
| E-6 | $2,241 | $1,920 |
| E-7 | $2,283 | $2,049 |
| O-3 | $2,364 | $2,211 |
| O-4 | $2,580 | $2,277 |
Source: the 2026 Jacksonville MHA rates shown in the table above.
Why buying on PCS is the norm here: about 3-year tours; no Florida state income tax; entitlement reusable at the next PCS (second-tier math, entitlement calculator); and the two-base PCS pipeline runs both directions, supporting resale and rental exits.
Buying on Orders
Remote buying works here: video tours, e-sign, and remote or POA closings. Keeping your current VA home may still allow a second-tier purchase.
VA occupancy: move in within 60 days of closing. Exceptions exist.
Schools & Family Landing
Florida enrolls on PCS orders before residency (SB 662, including controlled open enrollment). MIC3 protections cover placement continuity, extracurricular eligibility, deployment absences, and senior-year graduation.
There are 451 Florida Purple Star Schools. Sign the Impact Aid survey card each fall.
School Liaison Officers: NAS Jax SLO Teri Wanamaker, (904) 778-2236; NS Mayport SLO Sharon Kasica.
Where to Live: Decision Map
Area pages
NAS Jax side
Mayport side
Get Your PCS Arrival Plan
Tell Douglas where you are headed and when — he will build your arrival plan around your report date: neighborhoods that fit your BAH, your entitlement position, and a contract timeline that lands keys when you do.
PCS FAQs
When should I start after getting orders?
The day orders are in hand: pull your COE, run entitlement math, and get a real pre-approval. Going under contract before arrival is normal.
Can I buy before I arrive — and close before my report date?
Yes. Remote buying is routine: video tours, e-sign, and POA closings. VA occupancy requires move-in within 60 days of closing; exceptions exist, so flag your timeline early.
Can I keep my current VA home and buy again here?
Yes, with remaining (second-tier) entitlement. Run the entitlement calculator to check your zero-down room.
How much BAH in Jacksonville, and when does it start?
One housing area covers both bases. In 2026, rates run from $2,181 per month (E-5 with dependents) to $2,580 per month (O-4 with dependents). Jacksonville BAH starts on report; old-station BAH stops.
What is TLE, how many days, can I split it?
Temporary Lodging Expense: lodging and meals, up to 10 days total for a CONUS PCS, splittable between stations, receipts required, capped by locality per diem.
What is DLA — can I request it in advance?
Dislocation Allowance: a one-time flat household setup payment, no receipts, which can be requested in advance through your PSD or pay office.
Buy or rent first at NAS Jax or Mayport?
About 3-year tours let rent-versus-buy favor buying; no Florida income tax helps, and entitlement is reusable at the next PCS.
Mayport orders, Orange Park — is BAH different?
No. One housing area covers both gates.
How do I enroll kids before we arrive?
Florida SB 662 allows enrollment on orders before residency. MIC3 protects placement and eligibility, and the base School Liaison Officer can help.
Can a spouse house-hunt or close without me (POA)?
Yes. POA closings are standard when a service member is underway or deployed.
What happens to my old VA loan if I rent it out?
The loan stays in place, and entitlement stays tied until it is paid off or sold. Remaining entitlement may still allow zero-down here.
What does contract-to-keys look like?
Pre-approval, contract, appraisal, closing — all remote, timed so keys land on arrival. Call (904) 517-4049 for dates.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Mortgage services are provided by Douglas Wilkerson, Branch Manager and Mortgage Broker with Edge Home Finance Corporation. Loan programs, rates, eligibility, underwriting guidelines and availability are subject to change. All applications are subject to credit review, verification, property eligibility, applicable underwriting requirements and final approval. This website does not constitute a commitment to lend or a guarantee of financing.