PCS (Permanent Change of Station) and TDY (Temporary Duty) represent fundamentally different types of military assignments with very different housing implications. A PCS is a permanent relocation to a new duty station, typically involving a full household move, updated orders, and a housing decision — whether renting or buying — intended to support residence for the duration of that assignment, often two to four years or more. TDY, by contrast, is a temporary assignment, ranging from a few days to several months, that doesn't involve relocating your permanent household or family in the same way. Housing during TDY is typically handled through temporary lodging, per diem allowances, or short-term rental arrangements rather than a full home purchase or long-term lease, since the assignment isn't intended to be a lasting relocation. This distinction matters significantly for real estate decisions — a PCS move is the type of relocation where buying a home often makes sense, given the multi-year timeline typically involved, while a TDY assignment generally doesn't warrant a home purchase given its temporary nature, even if it extends for several months. Attempting to buy a home for a TDY assignment usually doesn't make financial sense given the transaction costs involved in both buying and then quickly selling. Understanding which type of assignment you're dealing with should be the first question when thinking through any housing decision tied to military orders, since the appropriate housing strategy differs substantially between the two. If there's any ambiguity about how long an assignment will actually last, or whether it might convert from TDY to a longer-term arrangement, it's worth erring toward more flexible housing options (renting) until the situation is clearer, rather than committing to a purchase