Deployment Tipster While They're Away

Sending Deployed Military Personnel Care Packages During Strike

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With the Canada Post strike currently in full swing, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) holiday deployment package program is expected to be impacted.

However, the military is still committed to ensuring holiday packages will find their way to military members in an effort to boost morale.

“We are committed to maintaining the morale of our troops deployed on operations around the world and throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season when mail and care packages from home help lift spirits during a difficult time away from family and friends,” said Lt Justin Vandenberghe, Public Affairs Officer Continental Operations, Canadian Joint Operations Command.

The military is still committed to ensuring holiday packages will find their way to military members in an effort to boost morale. Image courtesy of Canadian Armed Forces.

Circumventing the Strike

The impact felt on the CAF holiday package program is largely due to the Belleville, ON Canada Post distribution centre.

Mail that is processed and departs Canada through the Canada Forces Postal Unit at Canadian Forces Base Trenton largely receives mail destined for CAF members abroad through the Belleville Canada Post Centre, which is currently closed.

“Due to the strike, mail is not currently being released from this distribution centre to our care for routing overseas, which will, unfortunately, delay the delivery of holiday care packages,” explained Vandenberghe.

However, there is a simple solution for military families to circumvent the strike, says Vandenberghe. Mail that is hand delivered by a family member or friend to the Canadian Forces Postal Unit (CFPU) at Canadian Forces Base Trenton or taken directly to Military Family Resource Centres will continue to its destination. The mail can also be sent directly to the CFPU’s postal code via courier.

The CFPU was responsible for care packages sent to deployed troops on smaller missions under Operation SANTA. As long as mail makes its way to CFPU, it will be shipped. Above image a CF Postal Unit.

Success of CFPU

The CFPU has a history of reaching CAF members deployed on missions when conventional mailing methods are unavailable. Recently, according to the military, the CFPU was responsible for care packages sent to deployed troops on smaller missions under Operation SANTA.

“CAF support to deployed operations and Outside of Canada (OUTCAN) posting locations continues and, while some mail may be delayed as a result of the strike, as long as it makes its way to CFPU, it will be shipped,” commented Vandenberghe.

If you are a family member or close friend using Morale Mail service to a CAF member you know personally, you can drop off your package at a local MFRC or Base/Wing Mailroom. Image courtesy of CAFConnection.

Other Mail Instructions

The military has sent a detailed memo outlining other instructions regarding the Canada Post strike to its members.

In CANFORGEN 167/24, CAF members have been instructed to keep mail to only essential when it comes to official correspondences.

The CANFORGEN also notes that personal mail can be sent to the CF Postal Unit by in-person drop-offs, through Military Family Resource Centres, or directly sent to the postal unit.

“If you are a family member or close friend using Morale Mail service to a CAF member you know personally, you can drop off your package at a local MFRC or Base/Wing Mailroom,” noted the Department of National Defence Instructions for mailing overseas website. However, the service does not extend to the program: Any CAF Member mail.

For more information regarding CFPU, visit here. For more information regarding the size and weight of packages visit here.