What to Do With Your Belongings When You’re Deployed

Serving those in military service is much more than a duty—we know deployments demand a lot, including deciding what to do with your stuff while you’re away. Whether your time away is just a few months or much longer, here's a helpful guide from Lockaway Self-Storage with location-specific tips and options to make things easier.

Sell What You Don’t Plan to Keep

Before you leave, take inventory of your items and identify which ones you won’t need. Gently used clothes, furniture, gadgets, or décor you think someone else could benefit from are great candidates to sell. Use local platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or apps like OfferUp to quickly list and sell them.

Holding a garage sale, if time permits, is another effective way to clear out many items in one go.

Donate Items in Good Condition

If certain belongings are still in decent shape but you can’t or don’t want to sell them, donating is a strong alternative. Local charities, thrift stores, shelters, or organizations like Goodwill, Salvation Army, or ReStore are often ready to accept furniture, clothing, and household goods.

For electronics and tech, schools, nonprofits, or programs that provide devices to those in need may be good recipients—just make sure to erase any personal data first.

Store What You Still Want to Keep

For everything that you want to keep safe until you return, Lockaway Self-Storage offers several storage options to protect your items:

• Indoor Units — More secure and protected from weather, pests, and outside shift. Ideal for items you care about.
• Climate-Controlled Units — Great for sensitive belongings like instruments, books, antiques, or electronics; helps protect against heat, humidity, and fluctuations.

Even for smaller keepsakes, a storage locker or a compact unit (for example, 5×5 or 5×10) can be cost-effective and easier to manage.

Explore Local Storage & Deployment Benefits

Lockaway Self-Storage, at our Converse, TX facility, understands the needs of service members. We encourage you to ask about military discounts, flexible lease terms, and any deployment-specific benefits we might offer.

Also, check out storage units near your posting or base; sometimes having space closer to your next station can ease transition, whether for predeployment or relocation.

Final Thoughts

Deployment doesn’t have to mean worrying about your things. By selling, donating, or storing with care, you can simplify your move, reduce stress, and return home to belongings that are safe and ready. At Lockaway Self-Storage, 8401 Crestway Drive, Converse, TX, we’re here to help protect what matters while you’re serving this nation.