US Miliary Addresses

[Ailerongirl]

US Military Addresses

Hey guys, I have a question about US Military addresses.

My brother is in Iraq right now, and has been given a US Military address to have stuff sent to him. Since it doesn't look anything like a normal address, could someone please explain to me how it works, and on average how long it would take for something to get to him.

Thanks!

 

[RogerMOSA]

AileronGirl's Brother
Unit xxxxxx
FPO, AE(or AP) 12345-6789

Military mail is processed either through AE(Europe) or AP(Pacific) theaters. Mail will take the normal US Postal system route to either San Fransisco or New York and then be transferred to the military mail system. Once in the mil system it is subject to delays based on availablility of airlift. IE, if beans and bullets need to be shipped, the mail is left on the ramp.

I had a brother in Iraq for the past year as well. Usually it took about two weeks. Depending on where he is and what unit he is in, it may be longer or shorter.

RM.

 

[Ailerongirl]

Hey Roger,

Thanks for the reply. My brother is actually a civillian, but is doing work for the CPA, which is why he was given the address. I realise that mail comes second to other supplies, but at least now I have a general idea of how it will take to send him stuff. I was also wondering what the difference in APO vs FPO is?

Along the same lines, how is shipping costs calculated? And is it a different postage rate since it's military?

 

[Andy Neill]

I think it is Army Post Office vs Fleet Post Office (Navy types). My Vietnam address was APO SF 96225

 

[Andy Neill]

As far as rates go, in general, it is the same thing as sending something to San Francisco, Miami, or New York but there are some size restrictions. You cannot do receipt confirmation, COD, and the like but you can get tracking on Express Mail. For more details, peruse through this site.

http://www.usps.com/consumers/domestic.htm

 

[MarineGrunt]

The time for the package to arrive largely depends on where he is and what his job is. For grunts in the field, it could be months.

 

[Ailerongirl]

Thanks for the reponses guys!

He's in Bahgdad, so hopefully it won't take too long for stuff to get to him. His birthday is in 3 weeks, so I'm going to drop a card and a care package in the mail for him tomorrow.

Thanks again!

 

[rstev1955]

APO stands for aerial post office and FPO stands for fleet post office. Mail is sent to an APO if it is an air force or army base/camp/post and to an FPO if it is a navy or marine base/camp/air station. Cards and letters should arrive pretty quick, but most packages go space available and might take a little longer. The military realizes how important mail is to morale and makes every effort to get it to and from the field as quick as possible. Even a letter to a guy in a foxhole can get to him within a week.

Hope this helps, and hope your bro stays safe.

 

[Andy Neill]

rstev1955,
Am I detecting some service bias here? Do a Google search for "Aerial Post Office" and then try "Army Post Office" and see which delivers matches. It's a small thing but I wanted to see MY service get the appropriate credit.

Andy

 

[rstev1955]

I stand corrected Andy...it does stand for both, and before the Air Force became its own service it was strictly army post office.


I just haven't seen many tanks or infantry carrying mail from CONUS to overseas lately.