Postal mail forwarding service

[Inquiring_Parent]

I am looking into options for mail services that will forward postal mail after commissioning that will cover the 5 years to wherever. Any recommendations?

 

[AROTC Parent]

Not sure of the need. It will be interesting to hear if others are using this type of service knowing most transactions are online rather than via snail mail now days. When on active duty I used the USPS change of address cards or updated other service providers with their online tools to update my address whenever I moved. Even when overseas I always had a US address - APO AE NY for all of Europe for example. USPS will forward 1st class mail for a year too.

My children use our home address for a few 'accounts' (one bank and one investment company) so i guess I am their mail service. Though even these accounts are managed primarily online. If she weren't TDY 80% of the time even these would be to her apartment address. If it's a short TDY the USPS will hold mail for 30 days. Most are in excess of 6 weeks so the apartment complex just holds the mail. All bills are auto pay and it's not worth it to subscribe to any magazines in her situation.

 

[NavyHoops]

USPS will only forward for so long, certainly not 5 years. After 1-3 months nearly everything should be changed anyways. Most critical items can all be set up via email for delivery of all bills, bank statements, etc to minimize this. Auto pay is a huge thing for deployments and TDYs.

 

[Capt MJ]

Companies such as USAA have complete deployment checklists. Deployers call them before departing, set up auto-pays, file powers of attorney for spouse or family members, opt in for electronic documents, get a deployment marker set on their account so USAA would know they were not easily reachable.

I was on AD for 26 years and never had snail mail problems. I dealt with USAA and NFCU. Military-friendly companies understand crazy military life. Much of that was when everything was snail mail.

If you google "mail forwarding services," there are any number of companies who cater to RVers, world boat voyagers, international travelers/workers, etc. A US mail address is provided, and the service bundles the mail and sends it where requested. I know that's how they work. I never needed it.

Military families become aces at change of address routines. If they are going to be TAD/TDY for a few months here, a few months there, they might use a family member's address. Family member can box it up and send it to the command, marked for the military member. There is always a "mail plan," which helps members understand what the arrangements are for deployments, overseas rotations, extended periods in combat zone or without personal comms.

Military folks have been dealing with mail since ancient times, so there will be plenty of advice from experienced hands about options.

 

[Inquiring_Parent]

Thanks for all the posts!