MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Advancements in technology play an important role in the everyday tasks in the Marine Corps and they allow Marines to do their jobs in a more efficient and professional manner. While identifying and implementing these advancements may take time and manpower, the overall benefits allow Marines to work smarter, not harder.
Staff Sgt. Javier Calle, postal chief for the Depot Postal Office said the amount of manpower and lack of time to sort mail meant it would take seven to 10 days to receive mail, but, with a new automation process, Marines and recruits can receive mail in half the time.
The Depot Post Office, which is responsible for all of the mail that comes through the Depot, is reaping the benefits of the process that streamlines the delivery and receipt of mail.
Calle began developing a process in February that cuts the time of delivery and receipt of mail to three to five days.
"We used to spend the majority of our time sorting mail," said Calle. "The mail was not
formatted so the [U.S.] Post Office could not automate it, so we had to hand sort each piece."
To automate the mail process, Calle had to assign each unit a specific box number and four-digit code. By using this box number and four-digit code, the mail is sorted at the U.S. Post Office by computer and delivered to the Depot sorted by unit and ready for delivery.
Without the box number and four-digit code, the computer at the post office just recognized that the mail comes to Parris Island, said Calle. "From there we have to figure out where and who it went to, and that took time."
"There's no reason we should be doing business the old-fashioned way when the technology is available," he said.
The new streamlined process benefits everyone aboard the Depot who receives mail, but if anybody feels the difference, it's the recruits, said Calle. "They account for more than 90 percent of the mail that comes here, and mail is very important to them."
Calle said his Marines are also benefiting from the automation process. By reducing the time and manpower used to sort mail has been reduced, his Marines now have time to take care of "Marine things."
"Now that my Marines' jobs have been made easier, they have more time for things like PME and other Company requirements," said Calle. "They can do these things without hampering the mission here at the Post Office."
According to James Finley, a former Marine and distribution mail associate for the U.S. Postal Service, this process has made everybody's job easier. Finley, who has been responsible for sorting and delivering the Depot mail for nearly four years, said the Post Office has come a long way.
"I used to get here around 11 a.m., and it would take a long time to sort the mail," said Finley. "Now I'm here and gone before 11 a.m., and the mail is ready to go. Before it would take until 1 p.m. or so."
Although the automation process is not fully complete, Marines aboard the Depot should notice a drastic improvement in the delivery of mail.
Calle said recruit training was his priority but everyone's box number and four-digit code should be in place.
"I can't stress how important it is to use the new box numbers and four-digit code," said Calle. "If people use that code with their mail, they will see a big difference in the time frame."
A Depot-wide email was sent out last month with a complete listing of each unit's box number and four-digit code.
For more information on the box numbers and four-digit codes, contact the Depot Post Office at 228-2484.