Washington, D.C. – February 21, 2025 – The U.S. Moving Protection Organization (USMPO) acknowledges the significant transformation currently unfolding in the military relocation industry with the implementation of the Global Household Goods Contract (GHC). This reform, led by HomeSafe Alliance in partnership with U.S. Transportation Command, seeks to modernize military moves through innovative technology and a streamlined, single-point-of-contact approach.
According to their latest press release, HomeSafe Alliance has completed over 1,400 relocations under this new model, asserting that the system will drive greater efficiency and improve service standards. Bobby Nicholson, CEO of HomeSafe Alliance, has voiced concerns regarding legacy transportation providers, alleging that they have long overcharged the government while delivering inconsistent service. He contends that resistance to GHC stems from a reluctance to abandon a financially advantageous system.
Conversely, the International Association of Movers (IAM) argues that the GHC transition places undue strain on moving companies that have faithfully served the DoD for decades. Brian Limperopulos, CAE, President of IAM, warns that many established providers may not survive this shift and that the capacity lost cannot be easily replaced. He stresses that ensuring a successful relocation program for service members requires cooperation across the entire industry, including both new and legacy providers.
USMPO recognizes the merit in both perspectives. Relocation has never been a seamless process. The inherent complexity of interstate moving is compounded by the expectations of a digital society, where speed, accuracy, and automation are prioritized. However, moving household goods remains a physical, labor-intensive task—one that cannot be optimized in the same way as digital services. Consumers enter the process stressed, often unaware of the logistical challenges that accompany long-distance relocations.
At the core of this issue is not just efficiency, but integrity. The dedicated laborers who load, transport, and deliver goods are the backbone of the industry. These blue-collar workers ensure the country keeps moving, and their contributions should be recognized and not criticized. However, challenges arise from the business practices of company owners, the lack of tech and organization of internal processes, the accuracy of inventory and pricing calculations, and the ethics and integrity of sales operations. Move-day vulnerabilities can be easily exploited, leading to inflated costs and poor customer experiences.
The USMPO has speaks with hundreds of residential consumers who have been scammed and manipulated by deceptive business practices of rogue movers and unethical brokers. This firsthand experience allows us to understand HomeSafe’s concerns regarding systemic issues within the industry. Inaccurate inventories, bait&switch pricing, last-minute up-charges, and hostage load situations are unfortunate realities that consumers face. Both technology and reforms aimed at increasing transparency and accountability are necessary to protect them.
Rather than pitting new systems against old, the conversation should center on how to improve service and consumer protection, while ensuring a fair, transparent process for all stakeholders. The key to success lies in collaboration, accountability, and a shared commitment to providing quality service. USMPO urges industry leaders, government agencies, and moving professionals to come together in addressing these challenges and building a stronger, more ethical relocation framework for the future.