At depreciated costs.

FULL replacement value for lost or damaged items is among several changes to take effect in October as part of a new program called Families First.

Under the current claims process, Soldiers receive a depreciated value for lost or damaged property. A $200 television, for example, might be valued at $100 after depreciation.

With Families First, "the carrier will either replace the television with a similar one or reimburse the service member the full cost of a new one," said Cullen Hutchinson of the passenger and personal property office at the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command.

Another benefit of Families First is that service members will deal directly with the carrier to arrange direct delivery of household goods, thus alleviating the need for temporary storage, Cullen added.--Well-Being Liaison Office