American Movers Association

06/03/2025

The Global Household Goods Contract: A Recipe for Enrichment, Not Improvement

In 2024, 89% of military customers in the DPS system rated their household goods shipments as satisfactory or better, with half deeming their service "excellent." This raises the question: why is the Department of Defense (DoD) pursuing a drastic overhaul of the military moving industry? The answer lies in a misguided effort that prioritizes bureaucratic changes over real improvements, enriching KBR in the process.

While 56,563 military families reported satisfactory experiences, only 3,696 expressed dissatisfaction, resulting in a low "unsatisfactory" rate of 6.5%. However, in the first quarter of 2025, HomeNOTsafe, the new privatized monopoly single-source provider, missed 2,200 pickups and turned back 5,700 shipments—this is despite USTC and HNS boasting about their readiness for full Global Household Goods Contract (GHC) implementation.

If USTC aims to raise satisfaction from 89% to perfection, improving response rates and removing the worst-performing MMC Move Manager could push satisfaction over 95%. Why disrupt a functioning supply chain and create chaos among our military by revamping an effective system?

This initiative seems more focused on benefiting KBR than genuinely enhancing service quality. The DoD should refine existing systems rather than dismantle them. Let’s prioritize the well-being of military families over contractor profits and stop fixing what isn’t broken.

05/13/2025

I read the letter and came away with the impression that the primary concern lies more with the return on investment than with the well-being of our military families.

It seems that only Congress struggles to grasp the nuances of the Personally Procured Move (PPM). Regardless of whether one believes statements by U.S. Transportation Command, the U.S. Army, or the U.S. Air Force, it is clear that HomeSafe Alliance receives a contract-specific fee from the PPM funds, a fact acknowledged by the Army. The size of that fee is a major concern; in the moving industry, a 25 percent management fee is considered normal. Why is this fee shrouded in secrecy? Don’t military members have the right to know? What services does HomeSafe provide that justify this fee? Who is responsible for paying taxes on it?

Now let’s examine the Department of Defense's response to PPM compensation. The contract clearly outlines ; HomeSafe pays what they claim their costs are. According to the U.S. Transportation Command, the PPM rates were part of the bidding process, with rates established by HomeSafe. However, HomeSafe has claimed they could secure capacity at those rates—a claim that has proven false. They have been paying additional compensation to service providers, some on a case-by-case basis. As a result, the rates they filed and claimed they could use for services are NOT what they are actually paying. In fact, the only individuals receiving substandard prices are military families opting for PPMs. We have documentation showing that they have made concessions with carriers paying higher rates since January. The rates they originally filed in the BID reflect what they pay our military members, minus the contract-specific fee and applicable taxes.

Why is it so difficult to understand that the GHC contract is essentially a fraud designed to enrich investors while undermining the relocation benefits of our military? The entitlements of military families have become a cash cow for KBR and T1, with no savings passed on to taxpayers.

If our senators genuinely cared about these issues, they would demand an investigation, release the GAO study, and hold HomeSafe accountable according to the contract. The operations we are currently experiencing differ significantly from what was required in the bid.

I stand by my belief that these senators are primarily concerned with dividends rather than the needs of our military families.

04/05/2025

This week, the alarming corruption within the U.S. Transportation Command (USTC) has come to light. General Reed's collusion with HNS to slash Defense Personal Services (DPS) rates below what GHC contractors offer is not merely a financial blunder; it starkly illustrates a troubling neglect for military families who deserve far better. USTC's relentless drive to privatize, monopolize, and regulate has shown a shocking disregard for the needs of those who serve our nation.

The consequences of this corruption are severe. The GHC contract, initially designed to protect military families through quality improvements, has done the exact opposite. The total abandonment of standards has resulted in the use of subpar movers and inadequate facilities, all without any accountability.

Under the GHC contract, it's explicitly stated that the contractor cannot refuse jobs. Yet, over 500 military families have been compelled to manage personally procured moves (PPM) on short notice. This isn't just a minor infraction; it reveals a significant breach of the protections meant to support our service members.

Moreover, all SIT facilities are supposed to be warehouses, yet military shipments are stored in unacceptable locations, like scrap metal yards, falsely labeled as "SIT approved." The use of U-Haul trucks and self-storage units for military moves undermines the integrity of the logistics process.

Despite this, the government sees no savings. The contract costs a staggering $2.1 billion annually for all domestic moves. If HNS spends just $1 billion, they pocket the other billion, incentivizing them to cut costs and services. Military families have already experienced a 40 percent reduction in PPM compensation.

There is undeniable proof of these violations, yet no accountability measures have been enacted against the contractor. The glaring lack of transparency and accountability, coupled with the lowering of standards, reeks of government corruption. The GHC contract is not about enhancing the lives of military families; it’s about enriching KBR.

02/26/2025

USTC's Monopoly: A Failure with No Accountability

The term "Single Throat to Choke," once a staple in the telecom and IT industries, has become less politically correct over time. Yet, it strikingly illustrates the current predicament with USTC, which has established a monopoly in military moving services.

While the idea of consolidating services under a single provider might seem appealing, the harsh reality is that USTC's monopoly has failed to meet the needs of military families. The absence of competition, coupled with long-term contracts and limited service options, has created an environment where accountability is practically nonexistent.

Military families deserve better than a system that prioritizes profit over service quality. It is time to demand accountability from USTC for its shortcomings and ensure that those who serve our country receive the reliable, high-quality services they deserve.

KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR) Q4 2024 Earnings Conference Call February 24, 2025 4:00 PM ETCompany ParticipantsJamie DuBray - VP, IRStuart Bradie - President and...

02/18/2025

I find it concerning when HNS, USTC, or the U.S. Army make statements that inadvertently reveal more issues. I highlighted a line from the USARMY statement confirming the existence of a contract-specific fee. In the moving industry, this is called a management fee. This fee is typically 25 to 30 percent, this money does help in covering claims costs and ends up as a useful fee for service providers.

This raises the question: Is HNS retaining a 30 percent fee from military members who are managing their moves? We may never know, as this information is considered proprietary, and transparency is a concept that seems new to USTC. In contrast, the Military Management Company provides tangible services for these fees, unlike HSA where military members undertaking a Personally Procured Move (PPM) see no value.

Furthermore, the Change petition references military regulations and the Performance Work Statement (PWS) regarding how PPM compensation will be calculated. Unless the contract and regulations are deemed illegal or invalid, they should be adhered to. This raises concerns about the Army's statements, which seem to stem from subjective opinions rather than objective written regulations.

Excerpt page 1
The Department of Defense and Army recognize there are many reasons a Service member and family may choose to coordinate their own move instead of using a DOD-arranged move. We agree that choice is a good thing! To facilitate this choice, the government offers Service members the option of using the Global Household Goods Contractor (HomeSafe Alliance) at locations where GHC is phased in or taking the money that would have been paid to the GHC contractor (MINUS CONTRACT SPECIFIC FEE ) to pack, load, transport, and deliver the property, and moving their household goods themselves.

There are more INACCURACIES to be discussed stay tuned.……

02/06/2025

Uncovering USTC's Possible Corruption in Misrepresenting Military Shipment Dissatisfaction

Recent independent investigations into the USTC’s handling of military shipments have illuminated troubling concerns about their transparency and integrity. The claim that 1,000 reported issues constitute “about 20%” of the 5,195 total shipment orders given to the GHC contractor is deceptive.

This figure incorporates shipments that are not yet in process—some scheduled for late 2025 or more than likely will need to be diverted back into the current DPS legacy system.

A more accurate assessment focuses on actual completed shipments. Out of 1,737 shipments managed by the GHC, approximately 1,000 have reported problems, indicating a shocking 58% issue rate affecting military families.

By calculating percentages based on total shipment orders, the USTC effectively minimizes the reality of widespread dissatisfaction.

These discrepancies highlight a disturbing pattern of potential corruption and concealment by the USTC, raising urgent questions about their commitment to accountability.

We must demand that CONGRESS hold those in charge prioritize the needs of the families they serve. Holding the USTC accountable is essential to uncovering the reality of this situation and ensuring that military families and taxpayers are not misled.

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02/04/2025

Exposing Government Corruption and Its Impact on Military

Why is the media not pressing Andy Dawson about the quality improvements he intends to achieve and the concrete steps required to reach those goals?

Without a clear roadmap outlining these improvements, it appears the Department of Defense is merely feeding the military-industrial complex at the expense of our service members.

The introduction of technology does not inherently improve quality; current actions only serve to enrich companies like KBR.

Moreover, there is little incentive for quality carriers, drivers, agents or labor to engage with this failing system. Attracting top talent is essential for ensuring safe service, and without effective hiring and safety protocols, military families remain at risk.

The most pressing question when will USTC address the ongoing contract violations that pose significant safety risks for military families?

The malfunctioning HSC app creates uncertainty for military members regarding who enters their homes, raising serious safety concerns. Additionally, HNS’s capacity increases allow unvetted individuals to interact with families, further jeopardizing their safety.

It begs the question: when will the government prioritize the readiness, welfare, and well-being of our military over corporate profits and future positions as KBR employees?

https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/military-benefits/2025/02/03/military-families-see-bumpy-start-to-household-goods-moving-program/?fbclid

About 1,000 military families have experienced problems with pickups, deliveries and communications with the new contractor managing household goods moves.

10/13/2024

The GHC Contract Crisis: A Call for Accountability

The ongoing issues with the GHC contract reveal serious shortcomings in both USTC and HomeNOTSafe. At the core of this crisis is a lack of capacity driven by arrogance. Statements from USTC at a trucking convention and echoed by HomeNOTSafe have undermined the GHC project's credibility. Claims that "the GHC is not the place for independent contractors" have excluded 80 percent of the moving industry from the military sector, leaving only employee-based models.

Another critical issue is compensation. USTC awarded the contract to a bidder without industry partnerships, whose bid was nearly a billion dollars lower than others. Such an unrealistic bid should have raised alarms within the military transportation command. Rates for freight and household goods depend on various factors, and rising costs were clearly overlooked.

The problems with the GHC are largely self-inflicted, stemming from a desire to appease KBR, the prime contractor. USTC's claims of wanting to improve quality fall short as they ignored valuable industry advice and appointed Tier One Relocation, known for low-quality scores, currently 1.7 in google.The maintain a failing rating while all other MMCs rating are in the high 4s. What was USTC thinking? clearly , quality is something Tier One Relocation knows nothing about .

Now, USTC, KBR, and Tier One Relocations find themselves unable to provide effective services for military families. With only 244 moves completed since the GHC rollout, achieving just 80 moves against a benchmark of 400 for September highlights the partnership's failures. When will USTC admit their mistake? Until they do, taxpayers will fund two parallel relocation systems—one a waste of tax dollars, the other a proven system that could improve with industry input.

It is time for Congress to intervene. The moves performed by HomeNOTSafe are less than 0.001 of what is required by peak season's end. I urge everyone to contact Congress about HomeNOTSafe's failure, the misuse of taxpayer dollars, and the negative impact on military families. Accountability and action are essential to rectify this situation.

09/22/2024

You do NOT have to be a mover to sign and share this petition. Our tax dollars are enriching foreign investors through violations set forth in the business rule the 400NG tariff. This has put undue stress on military families for years.

DO NOT SEND MONEY THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS GOT TO CHANGE.OR

Halt the Global Household Goods Contract pending investigation

09/20/2024

https://www.change.org/p/halt-the-global-household-goods-contract-pending-investigation

Halt the Global Household Goods Contract pending investigation