U.S. Military Postal Service Agency - Did You Know

Did You know?

Until 1980, each U.S. military service and government agency managed its own mail program. In 1980, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) designated the U.S. Secretary of the Army as the single military mail manager. The Military Postal Service Agency (MPSA) was created to perform this task, with a jointly-staffed headquarters located in the National Capital Region. MPSA is required to adhere to United States Postal Service (USPS) rules, federal laws, and various international laws and agreements for movement of military mail into over 85 countries. MPSA is the single DoD point of contact with the USPS. It conducts DoD contingency planning and provides postal support to theater Combatant Commanders through Services' theater postal commands. It serves as a proponent of DoD's cost control policy for DoD official mail and as the functional director for military mail. MPSA also monitors transportation funds dedicated to overseas mail movement.

In addition to supporting U.S. military installations overseas, the MPSA also supports mail delivery to and from U.S. diplomatic and consulary facilities abroad and, of course, to deployed personnel in combat zones worldwide. Most USPS special services, such as Certified Mail, registered mail, delivery confirmation, insured mail, certificate of mailing, return receipt, restricted delivery and return receipt for merchandise are available in the military postal service. Collect on delivery (COD) and signature confirmation (signature confirmation may be available in the future) are not available. Mail sent from one military post office (MPO) to another MPO in the same theater (e.g., mail from an MPO in Japan to another MPO in Singapore) can be sent for free on a space available basis. Because the DoD provides or pays for overseas transport for U.S. military mail between the U.S. and overseas duty stations, as well as delivery services in theater, military postage rates are equivalent to U.S. domestic postage rates.

All military mail between the U.S. and overseas locations is subject to customs inspection in the country of destination, and customs declarations must normally be attached to packages and larger mail pieces. Some host nations may restrict or prohibit the mailing or receipt of certain items, such as pornography, meat products (especially pork), firearms, tobacco, etc., via the U.S. military postal system. For a complete list of restrictions, consult the Postal Bulletin, published on USPS.com. Other host nations (e.g., Germany) may have a special interchange agreement with the military postal service allowing for the mailing of articles to host nation addresses at U.S. domestic postal rates.

In accordance with treaties and other international agreements, use of U.S. military postal services overseas is normally restricted to authorized customers, i.e., U.S. Government personnel (military, civilian and diplomatic) stationed overseas (either permanently or on temporary duty orders) and their dependents. Further restrictions may exist on a country-by-country basis depending on the host nation involved and the status of the postal customer. Retired U.S. military personnel living overseas may also have limited access to the military postal service, depending on their country of residence. The only purpose for which U.S. citizens associated with neither the U.S. forces nor diplomatic/consulary missions may use military post offices is the sending of absentee ballots. The easiest way for U.S. citizens not affiliated with the U.S. government to obtain access to the military postal service while overseas is at a U.S. consulate or embassy, as access to other overseas facilities may be restricted.

Overseas military post offices operated or supported by the Army or Air Force use the city abbreviation APO [Army Post Office / Air (Force) Post Office], while overseas military post offices operated or supported by the Navy, Marine Corps or U.S. Coast Guard use the city abbreviation FPO (Fleet Post Office).

Recently the United States Postal Service (USPS) has added Diplomatic Post Office (DPO) as a valid overseas address effective January 18, 2009. The Postal Service is revising the Mailing Standards to reflect a request from the Department of State to distinguish diplomatic overseas mail from military mail. The city abbreviation is DPO. As of March 2009, there are 16 U.S. Embassy locations are known as DPOs. The other approximately 90 overseas U.S. embassy post offices fall under the management oversight of the military services and so are known as either as APOs or FPOs.

Three quasi-state codes have been assigned depending on the (approximate) geographic location of the military mail recipient and also the carrier route to be taken. They are:

AE (Armed Forces Europe / Canada / Middle East / Africa) - 09xxx
AP (Armed Forces Pacific) - 962xx through 966xx
AA (Armed Forces Americas [excluding domestic and Canada]) - 340xx

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Did You Know...

Did you know? Any plane the President flies on is called Air Force One, and any helicopter is called Marine One.

AIR FORCE ONE
No matter where in the world the President travels, if he flies in an Air Force jet, the plane is called Air Force One. Technically, Air Force One is the call sign of any Air Force aircraft carrying the President. In practice, however, Air Force One is used to refer to one of two highly customized Boeing 747-200B series aircraft, which carry the tail codes 28000 and 29000. The Air Force designation for the aircraft is VC-25A.

Air Force One is one of the most recognizable symbols of the presidency, spawning countless references not just in American culture but across the world. Emblazoned with the words “United States of America,” the American flag, and the Seal of the President of the United States, it is an undeniable presence wherever it flies or docks.

Capable of refueling midair, Air Force One has unlimited range and can carry the President wherever he needs to travel. The onboard electronics are hardened to protect against an electromagnetic pulse, and Air Force One is equipped with advanced secure communications equipment, allowing the aircraft to function as a mobile command center in the event of an attack on the United States.

Inside, the President and his travel companions enjoy 4,000 square feet of floor space on three levels, including an extensive suite for the President that features a large office, lavatory, and conference room. Air Force One includes a medical suite that can function as an operating room, and a doctor is permanently on board. The plane’s two food preparation galleys can feed 100 people at a time.

Air Force One also has quarters for those who accompany the President, including senior advisors, Secret Service officers, traveling press, and other guests. Several cargo planes typically fly ahead of Air Force One to provide the President with services needed in remote locations.

Air Force One is maintained and operated by the Presidential Airlift Group, part of the White House Military Office. The Airlift Group was founded in 1944 as the Presidential Pilot Office at the direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. For the next 20 years, various propeller driven aircraft served the President. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy became the first President to fly in his own jet aircraft, a modified Boeing 707. Over the years, several other jet aircraft have been used, with the first of the current aircraft being delivered in 1990 during the administration of President George H. W. Bush.

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Did You Know...

Did you know? On July 9, 1776, General George Washington gave an order for the Declaration of Independence to be read to his army.

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Military Trivia - Did You Know...

This is part of eMail Our Military's ongoing series called Did You Know?

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Military Trivia

Did you know that country music star Craig Morgan was a Paratrooper and and EMT before pursuing a career in music?

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Did You Know...

This is part of our ongoing series called Did You Know?

This series, which you can follow by clicking on the labels/categories in our sidebar, will give you interesting facts about all things military.

At eMail Our Military (eMOM) we want to do more than help support our troops, we want to educate people and give them a better understanding about all things military. We realize that when you know more about a specific group of people, you'll be better able to understand them and in turn be better equipped to relate to them.

Stryker: The U.S. Army’s newest armored vehicle. The 19-ton, eight-wheeled Stryker can be configured for use in infantry, reconnaissance, fire support or medical evacuation missions. It can operate at 60 mph and has a range of 312 miles. The vehicle may be transported by C-130 aircraft.

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Did You Know...

This is part of our ongoing series called Did You Know?

This series, which you can follow by clicking on the labels/categories in our sidebar, will give you interesting facts about all things military.

At eMail Our Military (eMOM) we want to do more than help support our troops, we want to educate people and help them understand about all things military. We realize that when you know more about a specific group, you'll be better able to understand them and in turn better equipped to relate to them.

Squad: Did you know that a squad is a small military unit consisting of 10 to 11 soldiers?

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Did You Know...

This is part of our ongoing series called Did You Know?

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At eMail Our Military (eMOM) we want to do more than help support our troops, we want to educate people and help them understand about all things military. We realize that when you know more about a specific group, you'll be better able to understand them and in turn better equipped to relate to them.

Platoon: Did you know that a platoon is four squads - generally three rifle squads and one weapons squad, normally armed with machine guns and anti-tank weapons? Lieutenants lead most platoons, and the second-in-command is generally a sergeant first class.

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Did You Know...

This is part of our ongoing series called Did You Know?

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At eMail Our Military (eMOM) we want to do more than help support our troops, we want to educate people and help them understand about all things military. We realize that when you know more about a specific group, you'll be better able to understand them and in turn better equipped to relate to them.

IED: Did you know that an IED, or Improvised Explosive Device, is a “homemade” device that is designed to cause death or injury by using explosives alone or in combination with toxic chemicals, biological agents, or radiological material? IEDs may be detonated by a suicide bomber or remotely detonated. They may utilize commercial or military explosives, homemade explosives, or military ordnance and ordnance components.

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Did You Know...

This is part of our ongoing series called Did You Know?

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At eMail Our Military (eMOM) we want to do more than help support our troops, we want to educate people and help them understand about all things military. We realize that when you know more about a specific group, you'll be better able to understand them and in turn better equipped to relate to them.

Division: Did you know that divisions perform major tactical operations for the corps and can conduct sustained battles and engagements? One division is made up of at least three brigades with between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. Divisions are normally commanded by major generals. Types of divisions include light infantry, armored and mechanized infantry, airborne and air assault.

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Did You Know...

This is part of our ongoing series called Did You Know?

This series, which you can follow by clicking on the labels/categories in our sidebar, will give you interesting facts about all things military.

At eMail Our Military (eMOM) we want to do more than help support our troops, we want to educate people and help them understand about "all things military". We realize that when you know more about a specific group, you'll be better able to understand them and in turn be better equipped to relate to them.

Corps: Did you know that the corps is the largest tactical unit in the U.S. Army? The Corps is responsible for translating strategic objectives into tactical orders. It synchronizes tactical operations including maneuvering, the firing of organic artillery, naval firing, supporting tactical air operations, and actions of their combat support, bringing together these operations on the battlefield. Each corps will have between two and five divisions, depending on the mission.

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Did You Know...

This is part of our ongoing series called Did You Know?

This series, which you can follow by clicking on the labels/categories in our sidebar, will give you interesting facts about all things military.

At eMail Our Military (eMOM) we want to do more than help support our troops, we want to educate people and help them understand about all things military. We realize that when you know more about a specific group, you'll be better able to understand them and in turn better equipped to relate to them.

Company: Did you know that company-sized units, 130 to 150 soldiers, are normally commanded by captains? They consist of two or more platoons, usually of the same type, a headquarters unit and some logistical capabilities. Companies are the basic elements of all battalions.

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Did You Know...

This is part of our ongoing series called Did You Know?

This series, which you can follow by clicking on the labels/categories in our sidebar, will give you interesting facts about all things military.

At eMail Our Military (eMOM) we want to do more than help support our troops, we want to educate people and help them understand about all things military. We realize that when you know more about a specific group, you'll be better able to understand them and in turn better equipped to relate to them.

Brigade: Did you know that the brigade provides mobility, counter-mobility and survivability, topographic engineering and general engineering support to the largest unit - the corps — and augments the corps’ various divisions? The brigade may contain combat engineer battalions, separate engineer companies, assault float bridges, and topographic and tactical bridge companies. It contains around 2,500 people commanded by a colonel.

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Did You Know...

We're starting a little series here called Did You Know?

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Battalions: Did you know that a battalion, usually about 400-strong, is comprised of three rifle companies, a combat support company and a headquarters company? Battalions often blend companies with different fighting specialties to take on tasks that no existing unit is properly configured to tackle. Battalions normally fight enemy forces they can see and engage. This is defined as an area extending from less than 100 yards in forests, urban areas and other close terrain out to about two to three miles from the battalion’s direct and indirect weapons-fire.

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