Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Joe Cashion | Thousands of mail packages - such as these on FOB Farah - are received, processed and...... read more read more
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Methods of communication to and from deployed service members have evolved over time. Phone calls, e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Skype and YouTube are just some of the ways friends and family can stay in touch with loved ones in harm’s way.
However, nothing seems to lift the spirits of those in a forward area quite like a letter from home. Here at KAF, the 912th Human Resources Company is responsible for receiving, processing and delivering the mail to all service members, DoD civilians, contractors and eligible civilians within the Regional South and West commands of Afghanistan.
And that is no small task.
“We are geographically challenged with all of the forward operating bases we cover,” said Capt. Krystyl Watson, 912th HRC commander. “We support around 20,000 service members and civilians here plus everyone else on the 10 FOBs.”
The 912th HRC arrived in Afghanistan in October 2009 and is composed of approximately 115 Soldiers and Airman. In addition to mail service, the 912th is also responsible for personnel accountability, ID card production and updates and casualty reporting.
It is delivering the mail, however, that affects just about everyone on a daily basis. Typically, the 912th HRC handles 1.5 million pounds of mail per month. Even more impressive may be that all sorting is done by hand using troop labor. Additionally, during holiday periods the mail volume typically doubles.
A major facet of mail delivery that will certainly affect everyone is the current changes to the zip codes across the CJOA-A.
“The changes will streamline the actual sorting of mail,” Watson said. “The intent is to get the mail out to the FOBs and into the recipient’s hands faster.”
Military mail terminal Alpha team leader Cpl. William McNeil says patience will be important.
“It will take time to memorize the new codes so hopefully people will be patient,” McNeil said. “Eventually it [zip code change] is going to work for the better.”
Watson has advice for Soldiers on the zip code changes.
“Send a blast e-mail, put it on Facebook, get the word out,” she said. “Let your families know your zip code has changed. You will get your mail even faster.”
If Soldiers get a morale boost from receiving a letter, Watson says she does from delivering one.
“It is very rewarding to ask that E2 or E3 ‘how’s postal for you and them saying “it’s great!,’” she says. “They are the route clearers and the warfighters.”
“As sustainers our job is to support them,” Watson added. “So my job is to make sure they don’t have to worry about getting their mail.”
| Date Taken: | 07.27.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.27.2010 02:31 |
| Story ID: | 53434 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 632 |
| Downloads: | 254 |
This work, Special Delivery - The 912th HRC Carries the Mail, by SFC Joe Cashion, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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