Maximizing space, minimizing cost

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dillon White
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
A new mailing policy took effect May 14 that changes how the Official Mail Center and the United States Postal Service charges its customers to mail letters and ship packages. 

The post office has picked up a ruler, and that means an extra inch of envelope could cost an extra 40 cents, or a square envelope can cost an extra 17 cents, and in some cases, not sent at all. 

"[The Official Mail Center] will ask that if a large number of manila envelopes or letters are being sent to the same address, as is the case with medical records or personnel files, they be consolidated into one box," said Shiloh LaPlaunt, 341st Space Wing official mail clerk. 

"If a single document is being sent, we recommend that it be folded in half and placed it in a letter sized envelope, which is half the cost of the larger size manila envelope," Ms. LaPlaunt said. 

If one document is being sent, it is recommended the document be folded in half and placed in an envelope no larger than 6 1/8 inches by 11 1/2 inches instead of a large manila envelope that costs twice as much. 

Invitations to official functions are also handled differently. Letters must be 3 1/2 inches by 5 inches at a minimum, or they will not be sent. 

"Some official invitations we receive are too small, so we can't send them out, and then the person has to buy all new invitations," Ms. LaPlaunt said. 

Envelopes and flat-rate boxes are available at the official mail center and at the post office on base. 

In the event more than 200 letters need to be mailed at once, permission must be granted through 2nd Lt. Abigail Ono, the official mail manager at 731-7743. 

For further questions about official mail call Shiloh LaPlaunt at 731-3000.