Editor’s note: This article first appeared on The War Horse , an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service, under the headline “I don’t want to be stuck.’ Meet the military families who love to move.” Subscribe to their newsletter .

Soldier Josh Meltz and his wife, Rubi, were exhausted as they pulled into the Texas RV park, their motor home stuffed to the gills with five children and the detritus of a quick military move. The Army family was still reeling from their sooner-than-anticipated leave from Fort Huachuca in Arizona.

Their PCS (permanent change of station) orders — Josh’s fifth since joining the service 18 years ago — were for Fort Hood. The timeline? Report in three days. The Meltzes made the more than 900-mile trip to

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