General

Operation: Support Our Troops – Contains various resources to help communicate and support the troops

YourMilitary.com Military Communities – Resources for sending care packages and emails to the troops.


Hearts Across the Miles – Resource for sending items and letters to the troops

Books for Soldiers

Operation MOM - Providing support to all branches of service from friends and family of active active military personnel. Also serves as a support group for friends and family of military personnel.

USO Family and Friends Resource Directory

Tropical Yarns – Directions to make a knitted helmet liner.

Sock Monkey Ministries, Inc. - Providing stuffed sock monkeys to military troops to let them know they are not forgotten.


Sew Much Comfort - Provides custom-made adaptive clothing, free of charge, to injured service members.

Bev’s Troops Hat - Provides a pattern for a basic troop cap and a link to find out where to send them to make sure they get to the troops.

VFW:: Operation Uplink – Enables military personnel and hospitalized veterans to communicate with their families and loved ones by providing them with a free VFW Operation Uplink phone card.

Operation Support Our Troops – Providing varied resources to help support the military and their families.



Sending Messages To The Military

To Our Soldiers

I Support Our Troops

EmailOurMilitary.com – Supporting our military, one email at a time.

Manhattanville College My Soldier

Angels ‘n Camouflage (Note: Music will play when this site launches)


AdoptaPlatoon

MilitaryTimes

Jewish Pen Pals

Christian Pen Pals

Have A Heart/Adpot A Soldier Organization

Watersorb - Directions on making a cool neck bands.

The Hugs Project – They work to provide handmade items and care packages to troops serving in the Middle East.


Move America Forward – Send cookies and gourmet coffee to the troops

Soldiers' Angels - Provides resources, links, and information on how you can help soldiers.

Yellow Ribbon America – Their mission is to unite America in giving direct help and support to our nation's military and their families in their local communities.

Operation Homefront - Provides emergency assistance and morale to our troops, to the families they leave behind, and to wounded warriors when they return home.

Move America Forward - Team Freedom - Supporting Masonic Troops and their families through the dual support of the MTSP and MMSF.


National Military Appreciation Month – Providing resources to help our deployed service members.




Sending Packages To The Military

USPS Tips for keeping in touch with our troops overseas.

Operation Shoebox – Supporting our troops by sending care packages to our US Combat servicemen and women.

Operation Gratitude – Help send care packages to the troops.


Operation AC – Help send supplies to the troops.

Operation Military Pride – Send care packages to deployed military members.

Operation USO Care Package – Help send a care package to deployed armed forces personnel.

O.I. Operation Independence - Their goal is to provide each service man or woman, in each platoon or fighting unit, a treat and a note from home once a month during their entire regular scheduled deployment, serving as civilian-to-military delivery system® that will not disrupt training or mission of our fighting forces.

United States Postal Service ‘Mil-Kit” for Shipping Items to Deployed Service Members
The Postal Service has created a special "kit" that contains the necessary mailing materials based on the most popular items ordered to send care packages to the troops. Families/supporters of deployed personnel can order these kits by calling 1-800-610-8734 [option 1, option1] and requesting "CAREKIT04". The kits will be sent by Parcel Post and will generally be delivered within 7-10 days. The kit contains 10 Priority Mail boxes, five "Mili-Pacs," one roll of Priority Mail tape, and 10 customs forms with envelopes. Mili-Pacs, developed with the Military Postal Service Agency, are Tyvek envelopes with Old Glory on one side and feature detailed addressing information. It is encouraged that this process be followed for all mail destined for military units overseas.

The address block on the Mili-Pac accommodates service member's full name, rank or rating, military organization or unit, APO/FPO with 9-digit ZIP Code. All packages and mail must be addressed to individual service members, in accordance with U.S. Department of Defense regulations. All military units are assigned an APO or FPO ZIP code and in many cases that ZIP Code travels with the unit. The Postal Service places APO/FPO mail on special charter flights, commercial airlines and military service aircraft to reach armed services members overseas as quickly as possible.

There is no charge for the kit. The kit may be ordered by calling the USPS Expedited Package Supply Center at 1 -800-610-8734 or making request at your local post office. The kit can be shipped to any APO/FPO in the world regardless of weight, for $8.10. All packages and mail must be addressed to an individual service member.

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Faith Based Resources

Military Ministry – Support military ministries by sending Bibles.

Adopt-a-Chaplain - a Christ-centered ministry that is dedicated to supporting our troops through the ministries of chaplains.

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association – Providing spiritual support.

Prayercentral - Supporting the troops with daily intercession.


Hope Coming Ministries - Support for deployed and returning men and women and their families.

Baghdad Prayer Patrol - Daily prayer for the troops, police, and people of Baghdad.

Jewish Chaplians Council - A site for support of Jewish Chaplains in combat.

Military Ministry - Resources for churches to help support the troops

Christian Support For Our Troops - Providing spiritual resources and by ministering directly to soldiers and their families.


Rapid Deployment Kits - Providing spiritual resources for our troops (Campus Crusade for Christ International).

Military.com US Coast Guard Chaplains – Unit site for the US Coast Guard Chaplains

CatholicMil.org – Resources for Catholics in the military, Catholic pen pals, and opportunity to donate Bibles.

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Items you can send - not inclusive of all. Please add allowed items to this if you know they are allowed. Porn & Pork are two nono's

Chips Ahoy cookies, individual packages. (Big bags often fill with dust if not eaten right away.)
Other kinds of cookies!!
Pasta and sauce
Spices
Smoked oysters and sardines
Squeeze butter
Pringles chips
Individually-wrapped licorice
Microwave popcorn
Ramen noodles
Macaroni & cheese
Olives, pickles, peppers (lots of bubble wrap around these items)
Cereal bars
Microwave pasta that doesn't need refrigeration
Hot cocoa mix
Soup mix
M&M's
DVD's
Koozies to keep water bottles and cans cool.
Newspapers
Magazines
AA batteries
D batteries
Air freshener, stick-ups, Fabreeze
Holiday decorations
Holiday cards and an address book with names & addresses
Canned air to blow dust out of electronics
Stress relief squeeze balls
Sewing kit
Lysol wipes /wet wipes
Poker chips
Board games
Shoe laces for gym shoes and boots
Brown t-shirts
Boot socks
Underwear
Hand warmers
Inflatable seat cushions
Razors
Ink pens
Word Puzzle books
Icy/hot patches
Air activated heat wraps for sore muscles
Foot spa
Microwaveable plates and bowls, paper plates
Foot powder
Vitamins
Paperback books

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Mailing packages to a military address (such as APO or FPO) won't cost you a fortune. The postal service doesn't charge international rates for military mail.

Don't send chocolate; it melts. Inquire before sending items that need a microwave or other kitchen equipment to prepare; many soldiers don't have access to these in the field. For example, instant coffee and tea bags are safer than a can of coffee.

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Military Post Office Location List (MPOLL)

Download as PDF document (197 K) This updated list is reissued under the authority of DoD Directive 4525.6, "Single Manager for Military Postal Service"

References:  a.  Title 39, United States Code, Section 3401(a).

b.  Executive Order 12556, 16 Apr 86.

c.  DOD 4525.6-M, DOD Postal Manual, Volume, 15 Aug 02.

d.  DOD 4525.8-M, DOD Official Mail Manual, 26 Dec 01

e.  AR 600-8-3, Unit Postal Operations, 28 Dec 89.

f.   MILPER Message 03-070, Contingency Operations Personnel Planning Guidance, 9 Sep 03.

g.  Appendix 5 to Annex E to USCENTCOM Campaign Plan Operation Enduring Freedom (U).

h.  Appendix 5 to Annex E to USCENTCOM Campaign Plan Operation Iraqi Freedom (U).

1.  General Guidance.

a.  Purpose.  This appendix provides instructions for the processing, transportation, and delivery of mail to USARPAC soldiers deployed in support of CJTF-7/180.

b.  Concept of Postal Operations.   Incoming mail (official and personal) is flown from the CONUS gateway (JFK) via Dalsey Hillbloom and Lynn (DHL) to the CJOA delivery points.  AMC is used for secondary mail transportation.   A full range of postal services is being provided to the maximum extent possible based on the redeployment of units and operational conditions.  Postal personnel are responsible for the overall security of mail.  Re-deploying units must contact the servicing APO before leaving and at the home station location upon arrival.  Directory service continues for 60 days after redeployment.

c.  Assumptions.

(1) Restrictions on inbound mail.  All mail is currently being moved forward to the theater APOs and distributed to units. 

(2) Discontinuation of special services in the theater.  The CENTCOM EA in coordination with Military Postal Service Agency (MPSA) determines curtailment of services.  Free mail remains in effect.  Use of Military Postal Service (MPS) mail only applies to APO mail within the theater. 

d.  Planning Factors.  Not applicable.

e.  Responsibilities.

(1) MPSA serves as DOD point of contact with US Postal Service (USPS) and other government agencies on policy and operational requirements.

(2) 82d Communications Squadron, U.S. Air Force, serves as CENTCOM Single Service Manager for postal operations within the AOR.

(3) ARCENT/CFLCC C-1 is designated as CENTCOM EA to coordinate postal support for US forces and provides oversight of postal operations.

(4) USARPAC develops postal guidance and instructions for USARPAC personnel and coordinates resolution of postal issues with MPSA, HQDA Postal Officer, and ARCENT/CFLCC C-1.

(5) Battalion and separate company level commanders will appoint one postal officer and two mail clerks per unit, ensure all personnel provide mail disposition instructions to the Rear Detachment, and provide mailing addresses to all deploying personnel 30 days prior to departure.

(6) Unit postal officers or postal clerks will notify the servicing APOs of individual or unit relocations within the AOR to ensure timely mail delivery.

2.  Postal Policies and Procedures. 

a.  Policy.  Postal support is in accordance with the above references.  Policy and procedures stated in this appendix apply to Active Army and Reserve Component (RC) soldiers, DOD Civilians, and Contractor personnel. 

     b.  Specific Guidance.

(1) Prior to deployment commanders will:

(a) Advise soldiers of the prohibition to participate in "Any Service Member" type mailing programs where they receive mail from unknown sources to them or for further distribution to other unit members.

(b) Provide soldiers the toll free number (1 800 810-6098) for family members to call for assistance if experiencing problems from their local Post office on accepting mail for contingency Army Post Offices.

(c) Appoint at least two mail clerks (one - primary, one - alternate) and a unit postal officer.  Ensure clerks are trained and issued DD Form 285 (Appointment of Military Postal Clerk, Unit Mail Clerk, Mail Orderly) cards (three copies) before deployment.  The mail clerk will retain one copy, the second copy will remain in the deployed unit mailroom, and the third copy will be hand carried to the contingency APO.

(d) Provide correct mailing address within 24 hours of deployment or sooner.  The correct mailing address consists of only the name, unit or element, and APO number. 

(e) Ensure soldiers complete a Change of Address Card (DD Form 3955) for mail forwarding to the deployed location and ensure it is on file with their servicing unit mailroom.  Soldiers receiving mail directly from USPS should complete a change of address card with their servicing Post Office.

(f) Provide deploying personnel a copy of the Mailing Information Booklet for Deploying Personnel (TAB A).

(2) Mail Delivery/Forwarding.  During personnel readiness processing, deploying personnel will complete applicable forms below and provide them to the home station unit mail clerks.

(a) DA Form 3955 (Change of Address and Directory Card) - indicates whether soldier does/does not want mail forwarded during deployment.

(b) DD Form 2258 (Temporary Mail Disposition Instructions) - for individuals who receive their mail through a military post office box. 

(c) PS Form 3801 (Standing Delivery Order) - if designating other than a family members to receive mail.

(3) Upon arrival in Area of Operation.

(a) Notify servicing APOs of unit?s arrival, location, expected operation dates, and points of contact.

(b) Immediately notify servicing APOs of unit relocations within the contingency AOR to prevent mail delays.  Ensure soldiers complete a DA Form 3955 when moving from one base camp to another for more than 30 days.

(c) Submit to the servicing APOs one copy of appointment letter and DA Form 285 for each individual assigned as a unit mail clerk.

(4) Mailing Addresses (OEF) 5:  Do not include the soldier's Social Security Number, Operation Name, deployed City or Country in the address.

(a) Khandahar, Afghanistan

Name (no rank)

Unit or Element

APO AE  09355-9998

 (b) Bagram Air Base, Kabul, Afghanistan 

Name (no rank)

Unit

APO AE 09354-9998

(5) Mailing Addresses OIF (2):  Do not include the soldier's Social Security Number, Operation Name, deployed City or Country in the address.

 (a) Kirkuk, Iraq

Name (no rank)

Unit

APO AE 09347-9998

(b) Balad, Iraq

Name (no rank)

Unit

APO AE 09302-9997

(c) Tikrit

Name (no rank)

Unit

APO AE 09323-9998

(d) Taji

 Name (no rank)

  Unit

APO AE 09372-9998

(e)  Baghdad (Camp Babylon)

 Name (no rank)

  Unit

APO AE 09332-9998

(f)  Baghdad (1 AD)

 Name (no rank)

  Unit

APO AE 09324-9998

(g) Ash Shuaybah, Kuwait

Name (no rank)

Unit

APO AE 09305-9997

(6) Mail Restrictions (OEF(5) and OIF(2).  In accordance with USCENTCOM General Order #1A, U. S. Postal Service, and Department of Defense policy, "any article, composition, or material is non-mailable if it can kill or injure another; injure the mail or other property."  Harmful matter includes, but is not limited to, poisons, poisonous animals, diseases, germs, explosives, flammables, infernal machines, chemicals and other items that may ignite or explode.

(a) Securities, currency, or precious metals in their raw, unmanufactured state.  Official shipments are exempt from this prohibition.

(b) Mail addressed to "Any Service Member" or similar wording such as "Any Soldier, "Military Mail", etc.  Mail must be addressed to an individual or job title.

(c) Obscene articles, prints, painting, cards, films, videotapes, etc., and horror comics and matrices.

(d) Any matter depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or nonauthorized political materials. 

(e) Although religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith are prohibited in bulk quantities, items for the personal use of the addressee are permissible.

(f) Firearms of any type are prohibited in all classes of mail.  This restriction does not apply to firearms mailed to or by official U.S. government agencies.

(g) Pork or pork products, fruits, animals, and living plants, all alcoholic beverages, and materials used in the production of alcoholic beverages (i.e., distilling material, hops, malts, yeast, etc.).

(h) Express Mail Military Service (EMMS) is not available from any origin.

(7) Mail Class/Weight Limitation (OEF) 5 and (OIF) 2.

(a) Classes of Mail:  first class (13 ounces or less), priority mail, parcel airlift (PAL), and surface airmail (SAM).

(b) Size and Weight Limitations:

1.  Weight should not exceed 70 pounds.

2.  Priority Mail - 108 inches in length and girth combined.

3.  SAM mail and Military Postal Service mail - 130 inches in length and girth combined.

(8) Free Mail.  Free mail is in effect for both OEF(5) and OIF(2) locations.  It allows deployed personnel to communicate via mail free of charge.  Mail is restricted to first class post cards, letters, and audio/video-type personal correspondence (cassettes, discs, etc.) weighing 13 ounces or less.  No merchandise allowed.  Free mail is identified by the word ?FREE? on the upper right hand corner of the envelope/ container where postage stamps would normally be placed.  Family members are not entitled to this benefit and if mailing from Hawaii, USPS Zone 8 rate will apply (Hawaii to APO New York Address).

(9) Redirect mail.  Redirect mail in the rear echelon will be handled as follows.

(a) Unit mail clerks will affix the forwarding address to each piece of mail.  Pre-addressed labels should be used to the greatest extent possible, but handwriting forwarding addresses is permissible provided the old address has been lined out.

(b) Mail will be bundled by company.  A facing label will be attached to the top of each bundle showing the correct forwarding address.  Mail will be consolidated and bagged by battalion.  All bags must have slide labels showing the proper forwarding address.

(c) All classes of mail may be redirected to the area of operations with the exception of oversize parcels too large to be placed in bags.  Units will ensure proper accountability and adequate storage space is available for storing packages that cannot be forwarded.

(10) Casualty mail. 

(a) Under no circumstances will mail for casualties be returned to sender or forwarded to next of kin (NOK) until absolute verification is obtained that NOK have been notified.

(b) Unit mail clerks will endorse casualty mail with one of the following endorsements:

1  Deceased - when the member has died and next of kin has been notified.

2  Search - when the member's status is unknown and the mail is being forwarded to the MPO or casualty mail section.

3  Patient -  when the member has been hospitalized and the hospital is known (also include the current hospital address).

4  Hospital search - when the member is evacuated through medical channels to an unknown hospital.

Tab

      A - Mailing Information Booklet