Is there an amount of notice required prior to command cutting off mail on an overseas rotation?

2020-06-27T02:59:54-04:00

We were told we could have mail sent to us up to 30 days prior to us as an individual departing theater. With several people having packages they and family paid for already en-route and well over the 30 day threshold initially stated, mail was given a cut off date with a notice of 4 days. People were told not only could packages not be sent after that, but even ones already sent that arrived afterwards wouldn’t be obtainable due to certain people leaving months earlier than others. I understand that to an extend mail is a luxury. However, a lot of families put a lot of time and money into care packages that all of a sudden are going to get sent right back. It doesn’t quite feel right to me.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 27 at 2020 6:35 AM

2020-06-27T06:35:57-04:00

They can cut off mail anytime it is deemed necessary. Your unit will forward your mail, or should. Go to the mail room and request a form to have your mail sent to you.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Jun 27 at 2020 8:08 AM

2020-06-27T08:08:14-04:00

I believe it is more of advisory, too help people save the money they would have spent. Usually you would have an idea when you are to rotate back to the states or vice versa

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2020 9:18 AM

2020-06-27T09:18:25-04:00

Everything will be okay, the mail will follow you home. I just received a boatload of mail for my company that was sent right before or after they left theater.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jun 27 at 2020 9:27 AM

2020-06-27T09:27:33-04:00

Used to be and probably still is like this. Fill out form to forward your mail, attach orders and give to unit mail clerk. He/she will turn it in to the higher mail room, in my case I worked in the Regimental mail room, 6th ACR. We had a file of filed orders and when unit turned in mail undeliverable, we looked it up and lined thru address, put FWD TO: and wrote the soldier's new address, returned to our servicing PO. If no forwarding order on file, we had a rubber stamp with finger pointed to return address Return to Sender and a reason checked. Later when I was an O, I was often Unit Postal officer as an additional duty, it was this way up until the 1970s when did my last duty of Postal Officer and turned in my mail card.

BTW, this is why the serial number is important as part of address, as often there can be more than one soldier with same rank and name.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2020 5:43 PM

2020-06-27T17:43:16-04:00

Our cutoff before we came home was 14 days because it took an average of 2 weeks for our mail to get to us. Anything that was sent that we didn't receive, we got back in the rear. So fear not brother. Like 1SG Bradshaw said your mail will follow you home.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 27 at 2020 6:36 PM

2020-06-27T18:36:42-04:00

Maybe you should try to be in a postal unit! Look, all 1st class and packages is forwarded to the unit address back state side,. Don't whine..