Deployment Info

Deployed Mail Instructions

To ensure that everybody gets their mail in a timely matter and without breaking any laws, the following instructions are summarized for you and your loved ones:

1. For the safety of your family, remove and destroy their return address from mail you receive in-country.
2. Ensure that you use the full address given and do not omit any part of it.
3. Always start with Rank, Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial.Remember, this is the military; your family and friends know you by your first name, but few people here do.
4. The address should be visible and, if possible, in different places.That way if it peels off or is damaged, you have a back up.A Sharpie marker works well for this.
5. Remember, the mail goes through a lot of places before it gets to you, so a little extra tape to seal it and some extra tape around the edges is always a good idea.If your mail comes apart in transit it will be difficult to be delivered.Do not use duct tape.
6. As per Division Order, do not send any restricted materials by mail.It may not be illegal just by USMC regs, but also by The U.S. Postal Service.Among the restricted items are the following:
   1. Alcoholic beverages
   2. Weapons
   3. Ammunition
   4. Pornographic materials
   5. Flammable or explosive materials
   6. Contagious or infectious substances
   7. Poisonous materials
   8. Fireworks
   9. Drugs or drug paraphernalia
   10. Aerosol cans are permitted only when not hazardous and in small quantities.
   For a full list you may visit: http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub52_print.htmor you could ask your local postal office.
7. Items should be packed in a way that prevents them from shifting around inside the box (newspaper and packing peanuts).This avoids breakage during transit.
8. It’s always a good idea to include a list of contents inside.That way if your package comes apart and needs to be repaired the individual doing it knows what belongs to you.
9. The bigger the package the longer it might take to get to you.Remember, they put mail in available/designated space, the more room it takes the longer it’s going to wait for space.
10. It’s not a good idea to send items that are of great sentimental or monetary value to you.If you have to, try to insure or certify your items, but remember that because certified mail needs a signature every time it changes hands, it might take a little longer to get to you.
11. To ensure you get your regular mail in a timely matter (i.e. your bills), let the necessary people know of your deployment address.
12. Refer your family and friends to the Battalion website for details on care packages at:www.i-mef.usmc.mil/external/1stmardiv/1stlarbn/