INTRODUCTION TO THE MILITARY POSTAL SERVICE
The Military Postal Service (MPS) is an extension of the US Postal Service (USPS) and operates under an agreement between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the USPS. The Military Postal Service Agency (MPSA) manages the MPS which includes Army and Air Force post offices (APO) and Navy and Marine Corps fleet post offices (FPO).
Andersen Military Post Office main mission is to process Official Mail correspondence. Our office also provides limited APO service to assigned personnel in Andersen living in dorms. Since Guam is serviced by USPS when it comes to mail just like Alaska and Hawaii, all mail coming in and out of the island is not free of charge.
MILITARY POST OFFICES PROVIDE:
·Initial customer complaint and inquiry contact point
·In and out processing of patrons
·Mail receipt and mailing services (Official Mail Only)
·Pickup point for accountable and non-accountable mail, and oversized mail
·Mail directory-locator services
WHO IS AUTHORIZED TO USE THE MPS?
The DoD determines who is authorized to use overseas military postal facilities. Refer eligibility to your local postal personnel.
At most overseas/deployed locations authorized patrons receive their mail through the unit mailroom and at some locations through an assigned mail receptacle (lock box). Your postmaster will explain how the mail is delivered at your location.
AS AN AUTHORIZED MPS PATRON, YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES ARE:
Inform your correspondents of your new APO/deployed mailing address.
Report instances of inadequate mail service or other mail related problems to the MPO supervisor.
All classes of mail move by air from the theater to the CONUS gateway
LETTER CLASS MAIL--Personal Correspondence, Postcards, Cards and Bills Transit time--averages 3-5 days from the gateway, to your base
FIRST CLASS / PRIORITY--First-class mail weighing 13 ounces or less More than 13 ounces and up to 70 pounds and 108 inches in length and girth combined Transit time--averages 5-7 days from the gateway to your base
SPACE AVAILABLE MAIL (SAM)--(Moves by air on space-available basis--referred to as SAM): Also called parcel post. Must weigh more than 16 ounces. Cheapest way to send heavy matter Transit time--averages 5-7 days from the gateway to your base. SAM mail from APOs to the CONUS weighing up to 70 pounds and measuring up to 130 inches in length and girth combined is flown from overseas to a CONUS gateway From the gateway, SAM is trucked/delivered by boat to its final destination