DeploymentsEditor: BeverlySend your deployment questions/comments to Beverly at:
deployments@4militaryfamilies.com
Support the Troops With Holiday Gifts
Discount on Largest Flat-Rate Priority Mail Box to APO/FPO Addresses
Holiday gifts from home are a the best morale boost for military service members stationed around the world. To help the families and friends of military personnel, the Postal Service is offering a discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat-Rate box.
Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged only domestic mail prices. The domestic mail price for the largest Flat-Rate Priority Mail box is $12.95, but for packages to APO/FPO addresses overseas the price is reduced to only $10.95.
Flat-Rate boxes are free at any Post Office, or can be ordered online at usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online any time using Click-N-Ship at www.usps.com/clicknship.
"Flat-Rate Priority Mail boxes offer the best bargain in holiday shipping, "The contents can be any weight for one low rate. If it fits, it ships."
The Postal Service continues to show its support by offering free Military Care Kits, designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas. The mailing kits can be ordered by phone by calling 1-800-610-8734 and asking for the Care Kit.
Each kit includes two Priority Mail boxes, six Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes, eight Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and eight customs forms with envelopes.
To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by Dec. 25 to military APO/FPO addresses overseas, the Postal Service recommends that mail for service members be entered no later than the mailing dates listed below.
Mail addressed to military post offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. APO/FPO addresses generally require customs forms.
To see a table of active APO and FPO addresses and mailing restrictions by individual APO/FPO ZIP Codes, go to pe.usps.com and click "Postal Bulletins" in the left column. Select the current issue and look for the heading "Overseas Military Mail."
| Military Mail |
Express |
First-Class |
Priority |
| Addressed To |
Mail(R)
Military Service
EMMS) 1/ |
Mail(R)
Letters/ Cards |
Mail(R) |
| APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-092 |
Dec 18 |
Dec 11 |
Dec 11 |
| APO/FPO AE ZIP 093 |
N/A |
Dec 4 |
Dec 4 |
| APO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098 |
Dec 18 |
Dec 11 |
Dec 11 |
| APO/FPO AA ZIPs 340 |
Dec 18 |
Dec 11 |
Dec 11 |
| APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966 |
Dec 18 |
Dec 11 |
Dec 11 |
| Military Mail |
Parcel |
Space |
Parcel |
| Addressed To |
Airlift Mail (PAL) 2/ |
Available Mail SAM) 3/ |
Post(R) |
| APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-092 |
Dec 4 |
Nov 28 |
Nov 13 |
| APO/FPO AE ZIP 093 |
Dec 1 |
Nov 21 |
Nov 13 |
| APO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098 |
Dec 4 |
Nov 28 |
Nov 13 |
| APO/FPO AA ZIP 340 |
Dec 4 |
Nov 28 |
Nov 13 |
| APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966 |
Dec 4 |
Nov 28 |
Nov 13 |
1/ EMMS: Express Mail Military Service is available to selected military post offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to your APO/FPO of address.
2/ PAL: PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It is available for Parcel Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface rate of postage for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.
3/ SAM: SAM parcels are paid at the Parcel Post postage rate with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.
Deployment Cycle Support Assists Deployed Personnel and Families
The Deployment Cycle Support (DCS) program is a process to assist deployed Soldiers and Department of Army Civilians and their families experience a successful return and reunion into their pre-deployment environment. DCS has the goal of attempting to reduce or eliminate stressors that contribute to domestic violence, post traumatic stress, and other stressors attributed to deployment. Phase I of the process begins in theater and continues at demobilizations sites and home stations (Phases II and III). Family members receive information on reunion and health care, individual assessments by unit leadership, and the opportunity to participate in follow-up assistance. There is a DCS website at: http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/dcs.asp with reference and support materials for meeting DCS requirements. Military OneSource, at http://www.militaryonesource.com, and the Post-Deployment Health Reassessment (PDHRA) are also available to support returning Soldiers and Civilians and their families. Army One Source InformationArmy One Source is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Real help, Anytime, anywhere. Help with information on Counseling, Disability Resources, Attorney's, Discounts and more. All calls answered live.
From the U.S. call 1-800-464-8107
From outside the U.S. Only: 00-800-4648-1077
or collect from outside the U.S. 1-484-530-5889,
TTY/TDD: 1-800-346-9188,
En espanol, llame al: 1-800-375-5971
Simultaneous translation 150+ languages. Web-site www.armyonesource.com
User ID: Army
Password: Onesource
Low vision accessible Sesame Street DVD is here!Sunny days, sweeping the clouds away… Sesame Street’s deployment DVD Talk, Listen, Connect: Helping Families During Military Deployment is available through Military OneSource. Due to high demand, there may be a delay in order shipments. Don't forget you can also download the video and parenting materials. Legal Preparation for Deployment Getting legal affairs in order before departure will reduce stress during and after deployment. Among recommended actions to take before deployment are: prepare/update your will; grant Power of Attorney to your spouse, a close relative or a good friend; and make sure your family members all have their Military ID Cards. For more information on being legally prepared for deployment, click here. Survey Report on the Effects of Multiple Deployments on Military Families The National Military Family Association (NMFA) recently published a report entitled "The Cycles of Deployment," addressing results of a new survey which shows service members and their families are experiencing increased levels of anxiety, fatigue, and stress as a result of multiple and extended deployments, as well as heavy reliance on National Guard and Reserve troops. Among the report's findings: nearly half the respondents indicated they have used or would use counseling services; two-thirds of responding families did not have contact with their unit or unit network volunteer during the critical pre-deployment stage; 17% of those who completed the survey indicated no family support was available from pre-deployment through the deployment to post-deployment phase; and military families expressed concern over their reunion with their deployed family member. The survey was conducted between April and September 2005. For more information, or to download a copy of the report, go to: www.nmfa.org/cyclesofdeployment. A Thousand Thanks to Military Kids If you have a family member deployed - we would like to recognize your child. We are excited to have Warner Bros. Looney Tunes® characters helping our efforts by signing thank you letters to children of deployed military. This program was kicked off in April, the Month of the Military Child. Although the project was initially funded by AUSA, the Association of the United States Army, families from all the service branches can request a letter for their children. Click here for more information.
| 
