We moved us and the 3 kids from coast to coast and points in between sometimes twice in one year. I remember having the house empty, the moving van already gone, and a Navy sedan whipped up in front of the house - our orders had been changed and we weren't moving back to San Diego. We were going to Great Lakes, Ill. This was in December. Yeah, guess where the winter stuff was.
We had a few things broken by moving companies but I can honestly say that 99.9% of the time our things were delivered to the right place, and within a day or so of when we had anticipated delivery. Crews were always courteous and efficient, and that was true no matter who the carrier was. We used to empty out one room before they got there - usually the smallest bedroom - and have everything we didn't want them to take in there. Then we put white X on that door with tape and escorted the entire crew to that spot so they knew not to go in there. Never an issue doing that. Oh, we had an occasional full ashtray wrapped carefully in moving paper and stuffed in a box, but for the most part the transfers were just another part of Navy life and the moving crews were just another part of making it work. There may be horror stories out there - name me an occupation without a horror story - but they make sure the contracts are crystal clear and as in all things the time to get questions asked is when you're looking over that contract.
And I get it, Debby, I really do! Navy wives don't collect nick-nacks - we collect curtains and drapes. Not once, in all the houses we ever lived in, did curtains we bought for one place fit the windows in another. <sigh>
So it's National Submarine Day? Cool.....then lift up your coffee cups - or whatever you're drinking at the moment - and salute hubby Ken and grandson Jamie - two of the finest Submarine Sailors ever!! Saaaa- LUTE!!!
And it sure beats the living daylights outa tr... - not even gonna say it. 
