9-Digit ZIP Codes Mandatory for FPOs...

Story Number: NNS130715-06Release Date: 7/15/2013 12:14:00 PM
By Debbie Dortch, NAVSUP Corporate Communications

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (NNS) -- Effective immediately, family, friends, and businesses sending mail to Navy mobile units must use a nine-digit ZIP code to ensure delivery, according to an ALNAV message released July 12 by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.

Mail not addressed correctly, including mail already en route, will be returned to the sender as undeliverable.

"Every mobile unit - ships, squadrons, detachments, et cetera - has a unique nine-digit ZIP code," said Naval Supply Systems Command Postal Policy Division Director Thomas Rittle. "Commanding officers will provide the correct ZIP codes to Sailors so they can notify their correspondents about the new address requirement."

According to the message, "The United States Postal Service (USPS) is resizing military mail processing operations from two coastal locations to one located in Chicago, Ill. to gain efficiencies in military mail delivery. As part of this effort, new procedures affecting configuration of mobile Fleet Post Office (FPO) addresses have been implemented to completely leverage automated mail sorting equipment and reduce manual sorting workload."

USPS automated equipment is set up to read the nine-digit ZIP code separated with a dash between the first five digits and the last four digits.

The nine-digit ZIP code is required for all classes of mail.

The ALNAV message is available at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/....

ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) since 1963. The term ZIP is an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan. All U.S. addresses have a standard five-digit ZIP code that informs the postal service of the area of the country and the post office where mail is received. In 1983, the USPS added four digits to ZIP codes to help further pinpoint a recipient's location.

The NAVSUP and Navy Supply Corps team share one mission-to deliver sustained global logistics and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter. NAVSUP/Navy Supply Corps' diverse team of more than 25,000 civilian and military personnel oversee a diverse portfolio including supply chain management for material support to Navy, Marine Corps, joint and coalition partners, supply operations, conventional ordnance, contracting, resale, fuel, transportation, security assistance, and quality of life issues for our naval forces, including food service, postal services, Navy Exchanges, and movement of household goods. The NAVSUP/Navy Supply Corps team forms a vast network of professionals who deliver unparalleled products and services to customers in the Fleet and across the world.