scope:

Purpose. The Department of Defense (DoD) Postal Manual, per DoD Directive 4525.6 (reference (a)), prescribes standard procedures and responsibilities for the administration of the Military Postal Service (MPS). It also provides instructions for the management and control of postal effects and for the processing, dispatching, handling, transporting, and delivering of personal and official mail.

Applicability. This Manual applies to all military postal activities. All MPS activities and Unit Mail Rooms (UMRs) must maintain access to a current copy of this Manual.

The instructions in this Manual do not apply to processing official mail in official mail distribution centers. Personal mail entered into official mail channels must be handled and protected per the policies and procedures in this Manual.