When active-duty service members receive Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, they step into a world of tight deadlines, rapid shifts, and relentless logistics. Among the most critical items on that relocation checklist is getting their personal vehicle safely to their next duty station.
At Auto Shipping Group, handling a vehicle move isn’t treated as a simple transport transaction. It’s handled as a personal mission—guided by founder Terry Williams, whose service in the U.S. Navy shaped the values the company follows today.
4 Years, 1 Month, 26 Days: A Foundation of Precision
Terry remembers his military service with exacting detail: 4 years, 1 month, 26 days, 8 hours, and 17 minutes. Enlisting over Labor Day weekend in 1975, Terry qualified as an Operations Specialist, working inside the high-stakes environment of the ship’s Combat Information Center (CIC).
After initial deployments on the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) out of Norfolk and Spain, the crew was forward-deployed to Japan. From November 1976 to September 1979, Terry served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV-41), sailing across the Pacific and Indian Oceans to ports in the Philippines, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Iran, and Pakistan.
With the CIC, Terry spent eight months in Air Intercept Control during the height of the Cold War. In a room monitored directly by high-ranking officers, he directed F-4 Phantom fighters to track, intercept, and escort Soviet “Bear Delta” bombers flying near the fleet.
“Living aboard a carrier teaches you two things quickly: absolute discipline under pressure, and how to operate in tight quarters where every single detail matters.”
Terry was forced to stay relentlessly organized—a habit of military precision that he still applies to his daily life today, right down to how he folds his laundry.
Understanding the Mission: A Vehicle is Sanctuary
Serving aboard a ship with thousands of crew members gives a person a unique perspective on personal space. During his time stationed in Japan, Terry owned a Toyota Corolla and a Nissan Cherry Van. In an environment where privacy was nonexistent, those vehicles served a far greater purpose.
“On a carrier, you have zero personal space. When I was stationed in Japan, my cars weren’t just transportation—they were my sanctuary and my storage unit.”
That experience directly shapes how Auto Shipping Group treats its military customers today. To many service members, a vehicle is far more than four wheels and an engine—it is a personal refuge, a piece of home, and an essential asset for their family.
Built for the Military Lifestyle: Hands-On Support
Understanding the emotional weight of a move, our team approaches every military vehicle shipment with the empathy and care it deserves. We tailor the process around the unique needs of service members:
- Dedicated PCS Specialists: Your coordinator understands the military lifestyle and takes care of you and your vehicle through every step of the journey—from your initial quote all the way through delivery.
- Door-to-Door Convenience: To keep things as seamless as possible, vehicles are picked up and delivered as close to your front door as possible, taking the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your next command.
- Built for Shifting Schedules: Military life is unpredictable—orders change, and report dates shift. Your coordinator can easily update your booking to ensure your vehicle delivery matches your revised timeline.
Supporting Battle Buddies for Veterans
Terry’s dedication to those who serve extends far beyond vehicle shipping logistics.
“Being in the Navy during peace operations gives you deep gratitude for the troops on the ground carrying the heavy load of direct combat.”
While Terry reflects with deep humility on his own Navy service compared to the direct combat faced by ground troops, his commitment to veteran support is deeply personal.
Terry’s son completed three combat tours in Afghanistan, returning home with the visible and invisible wounds of war. Everything changed when he was paired with a golden retriever through Battle Buddies—an organization that provides professionally trained service dogs to veterans.
Seeing the impact firsthand, Terry poured his energy into giving back. Through his local Corvette club chapter, Terry helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for Battle Buddies, even rallying a local casino to contribute a $125,000 donation to the organization. Watch Battle Buddies celebrate its 300th service dog with veterans.
Guided by Integrity and Service
From directing fighter jets over the Pacific to building a nationwide logistics network, Terry Williams has built Auto Shipping Group on a simple truth: people come first.
When service members trust Auto Shipping Group with their vehicle, they’re partnering with a veteran-led team that understands where they’ve been, respects what they sacrifice, and stands ready to welcome them home.