Following the termination of the Global Household Goods Contract (GHC) in June 2025, Movers for America commissioned an independent scientific survey of industry professionals in August to capture shifting perceptions and identify priorities to strengthen the military moves program.
The results show that the industry views the termination of the GHC as a turning point. Optimism is high, but professionals also made clear what changes they believe are necessary to build a stable, transparent, and sustainable program going forward.
Key Findings from the 2025 Industry Survey
Confidence Reignited
- 71% of moving professionals — and 84% of contractors — say the end of the GHC makes them more likely to invest in military work.
Freedom & Competition Are Essential
- 97% say the freedom to choose partners (move managers, movers, third-party providers) is crucial.
- 91% believe any future program should be built on a tender-based system rather than a FAR-based structure.
Costs Are Rising, Revenues Shrinking
- Nearly 60% of respondents generate at least half of their revenue from military moves.
- 66% report revenue declines of at least 20% over the past five years, even as labor, insurance, equipment, and fuel costs climb.
Industry Strain Amid Uncertainty
- 75% of companies entered the 2025 peak season with fewer drivers.
- 71% had fewer packing crews, limiting capacity just as demand was rising.
- At least 90% reported worsening conditions in predictability, reliability, compensation, and fuel surcharge policies in the last 12–15 months.
- Problems were most acute among independent owners and newer industry entrants.
Concerns for the Future
- 93% of moving professionals cited compensation and lack of trust in TRANSCOM as their top concerns.
- 91% expressed concern about complying with the Service Contract Act — with three-quarters saying they are “extremely concerned.”
- Independent owners and professionals with less than 20 years of experience reported the highest levels of concern, signaling that small and mid-sized businesses feel most at risk.
Priorities for a Better PCS Program
Four in five movers strongly support practical DP3 enhancements to make military moving more sustainable:
- Fuel surcharges (85%)
- Transparent communication from TRANSCOM (83%)
- Extra compensation for base access (79%)
Voices from the Industry
On how the GHC impacted their business:
“All I can say is that now I’m seriously considering getting out of the moving business. We’ve taken a beating and I don’t see it getting better within the next couple of years to overcome the losses and debt we have incurred.” – Agency owner for a major van line, 20+ years of experience
“It has had a huge impact on our business and has definitely caused us to reduce our investment in the program.” – Contractor for a major van line, 10–19 years of experience
On what professionals want to see in a future program:
“Clear understanding of pricing and how they determine rate reasonableness.” – Agency owner for an independent van line, 20+ years of experience
“Additional compensation for short-notice shipments is a must. Accommodation for such shipments has to be worth the shuffle.” – Independent owner, independent van line, 20+ years of experience
Coming Soon!
New Movers for America video series: SHORT FUSE
MFA’s new video series, Short Fuse, anchored by executive director Katie McMichael, will launch with a conversation featuring Cheryl Garcia, Senior VP of US Bank.
Watch a teaser below, and be on the lookout Monday for the full episode on Facebook, LinkedIn, or in an MFA email update.
👉 http://youtube.com/watch?v=L2A0rv8eDr4&feature=youtu.be
