Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Chelsea Mandello | Logistics Specialist Seaman Adam Sharpe from the supply department of forward-deployed...... read more read more
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chelsea Mandello, Amphibious Squadron 11 Public Affairs
EAST CHINA SEA – The postal service aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) doesn’t just supply the mail, it helps build sailors morale with care packages and letters.
The post office aboard receives, sorts and delivers mail from families and friends to sailors both in-port and at-sea. Regularly during a deployment, care packages come through, inspiring and rebuilding the recipient sailor’s morale.
“Even though we are in the age of Skype and Facebook people still like receiving mail,” said Chief Logistics Specialist Althea Campbell, postal leading chief petty officer. “Nothing replaces an old-fashioned birthday card from your favorite aunt or a hand written letter from grandma.”
According to the postal clerks aboard Bonhomme Richard, receiving mail can brighten anyone’s day and remind a sailor about the support he or she may have back home. A letter in the mail, two months into a deployment, can lift prospects and boost confidence.
“The importance of being a postal clerk is bringing up morale in the ship,” said Logistics Specialist Seaman Adam Sharpe. “I always like getting mail, so being the person to give another sailor their mail is pretty cool. It’s like Christmas and it’s always a really nice surprise.”
The ship receives mail out to sea via underway replenishments (UNREP), where tri-walls, which are large, heavy-duty, cardboard boxes for storage or transport, of mail are flown from an underway replenishment ship to Bonhomme Richard via helicopter. Once the tri-walls are aboard, the mail is sorted and separated by division in the hangar bay. From there, mail orderlies pick up the mail for their respective divisions.
When the mail is sorted into divisions, a mail call is announced over the ship’s general announcing system (1MC). If there isn’t enough mail between divisions then the mail is handed out individually.
“Sometimes we have letters without a division, so we have to go through a directory and find the individual,” said Sharpe. “If it’s a lot of stuff then we will have an all out mail call.”
According to Campbell, the value of a letter can be a nice surprise. Even the possibility or anticipation of receiving a letter or care-package from loved ones can build morale and optimism for sailors aboard.
“It is very gratifying knowing that my job plays a huge role in the morale of the sailors,” said Campbell. “Each time mail call is done, they get a little piece of home and that is priceless.”
A new initiative in the United States Navy is the 21st Century Sailor and Marine program. A priority of this initiative and that of the Command Pacific Fleet is to demonstrate the Navy’s value of its sailors and their families. The Navy strives to create an environment for growth and success for sailors, civilians and their families. The postal system supports sailors and Marines ability to connect with and keep in touch with family members and friends.
“Deployments can be hard at times, but it’s the little things that put a smile on a sailor’s face,” said Campbell. “Sailors are reminded that no matter where they are around the world they are never too far from home.”
| Date Taken: | 08.18.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 08.18.2012 09:33 |
| Story ID: | 93468 |
| Location: | EAST CHINA SEA, USAFRICOM, AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 114 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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