Helpful? "

-betc

I like to select several names at one time each week rather than 2 this day and 2 that day, so sometimes I make a late night of it and select 2 names at 11:00 and 2 more after 12:00 so that I can spend a few days making plans for those packages and getting the letters and packages sent instead of dabbling 2 at a time and having to piddle for days with my shopping list.

Gran

Hi all,

Not to confuse things any more...

It was my understanding "P" (in the APand AE designations)  stood for Pacfic coast "E" stood for European theater - "P" ships to Pacific coast "E" ships off the east coast.  You pay postage from your site to that coast.. I've found flat rate is usually cheaper for me to the Pacific coast from where I live (outside of NYC) when I stumble over and FPO post that grabs the heart!

Most of my marine contacts, however, have not been out of west coast bases but east coast bases -- lots in North Carolina - 09.. zips for anyone interested.

I bookmarked the postage rate calculator page on USPS com website, note the contact name, zip code and then check the postage fees for a few different weights.  If I think I can afford to support their unit I can go back and get their address.  It only takes a few minutes to check the rates.

I'm packing a little under eight pound box from the USPS mil pack ( not planned that way) that looks like it will go for less than flat rate box) to a contact in Africa.  Either that or I'll get really surprised at the PO!  Nothing overly heavy in it just accumulation of little stuff for multiple people that wouldn't  all fit in one of the smaller flat rate boxs or equivalent Walmart sized one.

The part I don't understand about military zips is why some are only 5 digits and don't have the last four digits?

Anyone have an explanation for that?

ann

The last 4 digits is a 'UIC' or Unit Identification Code.

Normally assigned to a unit if there are a lot of units within a single ZIP, same as our 'civilian' ZIPs.

To add to the confusion, this is also an OPSEC measure to throw off knowing troop strength.  Clever, ey?

Thanks Marty.

I thought it had something to do with the unit number.  Noticed the zip and the last four digits of the unit number were the same.  But yes it's confusing and I'll have to think about it while.  The whole military addressing/abbreviations thing baffles me.  I check my address labels a zillion times before I mail something then have my husband check them for good measure too.  Thx again.

ann

Marty Horn:

Right below each contact's name are several bits of information,to include their APO/FPO.  This was added for the reason you state, so that you don't have to request the address only to find out they are on the opposite shore....

Hope this helps.

Now I see it!  I almost got clobbered with postage by sending a non Flate Rate Box (FRB) package to an AE address from Colorado. I decided to send it to an FPO instead, and send something that'll fit in an FRB to the original contact address. Why is sending a package almost like entering a minefield?

ETA: Added Quote