PCS
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Permanent change of station |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Military, Writing & Everyday, Medical |
| Also written | pcs |
PCS has three meanings. The most common are Permanent change of station (military term) and Pieces (everyday); it can also stand for Post-concussion syndrome.
Meanings of PCS at a glance
| # | PCS stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Permanent change of station | Military › Military Term |
| 2 | Pieces | Writing & Everyday › Everyday |
| 3 | Post-concussion syndrome | Medical › Neurology |
1. Permanent change of station
Military · Military Term Abbreviations
Official reassignment of a service member to a new duty station, usually every two to four years, with the government paying to move the member, family and household goods. Orders specify the report date and travel allowances.
Example: We got PCS orders to Fort Carson, so the kids will start a new school in August.
Summer is "PCS season," when most families move. Entitlements can include dislocation allowance, temporary lodging, mileage, per diem and shipment of household goods, or a personally procured move (PPM) in which the family moves itself. Service members use "PCS" as a verb ("we're PCSing to Germany"). The Navy also uses PCS orders, though temporary moves are called TAD rather than TDY.
2. Pieces (pcs)
Writing & Everyday · Everyday Abbreviations
Indicates a count of individual items in a package or set, as in "500 pcs puzzle" or "12 pcs per box." It appears on product labels, invoices and online listings.
Example: The 1,000 pcs jigsaw puzzle shows a hand-painted map of Europe.
The singular is pc. or pce. Shipping documents also use pcs for the number of packages in a consignment. Product listings may use ct. (count) for the same idea. In British English PC more often means police constable or personal computer.
3. Post-concussion syndrome
Medical · Neurology Abbreviations
Persistence of concussion symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, sleep problems and light or noise sensitivity, beyond the usual recovery period of a few weeks. Most cases improve within three months, though some last longer.
Example: Three months after a car crash, ongoing headaches and difficulty reading at work consistent with PCS; vestibular therapy referral.
Many clinicians now say "persisting post-concussive symptoms" because "syndrome" implies a single disease process. Treatment is targeted: graded aerobic exercise, vestibular and visual rehabilitation, headache management, cognitive behavioral therapy and gradual return to school or work. Prolonged complete rest is no longer recommended.
Related abbreviations
More military term abbreviations
- OSINT – Open-source intelligence
- OSUT – One Station Unit Training
- OTH – Other than honorable
- OTS – Officer Training School
- PFT – Physical Fitness Test
- PID – Positive identification
- PL – Platoon leader
- PME – Professional military education
See all 248 military term abbreviations →
More everyday abbreviations
- OK – All correct (from the joke spelling "oll korrect")
- opp. – Opposite
- opt. – Optional
- PB&J – Peanut butter and jelly (sandwich)
- pd. – Paid
- PDA – Public display of affection
- pg. – Page
- PIN – Personal identification number
See all 82 everyday abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.