In theUnited States Armed Forces, apermanent change of station (PCS) is the assignment, detail, or transfer of a member or unit to a different duty station under competent orders which neither specify the duty as temporary, nor provide for further assignment to a new station, nor direct return to the old station. (For a more detailed definition, see the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), Appendix A.).
This is distinct from apermanent change of assignment (PCA), which describes the reassignment of active duty personnel to a newunit within the same military post.
This term is also used for other United States government employees, such as aForeign Service Officer,special agent, diplomats, and other civilian, non-military personnel, being stationed in embassies and consulates around the world.
In contrast, atemporary duty assignment is a shorter-term change of station, usually less than six months.
Traditionally, the cost of transportation for an officer and their family was initially paid for by the officer receiving the PCS orders, and they would be reimbursed upon arrival for expenses and pay en route.Lieutenant CommanderJoseph P. Fyffe changed this custom in 1870 when he was assigned to travel fromNew England to San Francisco in order to take a new assignment. Since he had no funds for travel, he walked. He strapped his dress sword to a small suitcase and began walking from New England to San Francisco, sending atelegram each night showing his progress and nightly accommodations. After five days on the road, his shoes gave out, and he sent this telegram: "30 August 1870. En route X on foot X requested recruiting officer be authorized issue me new shoes X shoes fell apart noon today X entered Albany [New York] barefooted X will remain Seward Hotel two days awaiting answer X earned my keep as bartender X local rum far superior to that served in the US Navy X am sending sample X very respectfully Fyffe." The next day, the local recruiting station received a telegram from theSecretary of the Navy advancing funds for the transportation of officers to their new duty stations. "Pass following message to Lt. Comdr J. P. Fyffe USN now at Seward Hotel Bar Quote I strike my colors X United States Secretary of the Navy authorizes recruiting officer Albany issue you shoes and provide you quickest transportation from Albany to San Francisco X Even ChiefBureau of Navigation can laugh when outsmarted X unquote X Respectfully Bureau of Navigation".[1]