It's been well-known in the Navy for the last few years - actual orders are being cut later and later, leaving sailors and their families scrambling to get themselves organized. There have always been ways to prepare for a move without actual orders, but some stuff requires orders to happen.

The Navy has announced that it will begin issuing Letters of Intent to help families with some of the steps necessary to organize a move. While it won't solve all the problems with last-minute orders, it will allow some things to happen without fully-funded orders.

What You Can Do With A Letter of Intent

operational or sea duty screenings

security clearance updates

permissive Temporary Duty (TDY) for house-hunting

overseas screenings

medical screenings

dependent entry approval for overseas moves

passport and visa applications

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) entitlement counseling

applications for the movement of household goods

What You Can Not Do Without Actual Funded Orders

issue airplane tickets for transportation

advance military and/or travel pay

ship household goods

ship vehicles

place vehicles in storage

reimburse for personally procured move (formerly called a Do It Yourself/DITY move)

What Moves Won't Get Letters of Intent?

Temporary Limited Duty (TLD)

Home Port Changes

Pre Commission units

Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC)

Afghanistan-Pakistan (AFPAK) Hands

pregnancies

accessions

retirements and separations

The following actions can occur using a Letter of Intent instead of orders:There are some things the Navy can't do, even with a Letter of Intent:More importantly, federal law does not require landlords to accept Letters of Intent to break your lease under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act . Your landlord may choose to accept a Letter of Intent, but is not required to do so.Certain types of moves won't receive Letters of Intent. This is typically because either these moves are already required to receive notice early, or because the fast nature of the orders don't make Letters of Intent necessary. These include:Letters of Intent will help some sailors and families in some situations, but they are no replacement for actual funded orders. Instructions for accessing a Letter of Intent are contained in the NAVADMIN 159/17