AR 600-8-3 — Postal Operations
AR 600-8-3 governs Army postal operations in garrison and tactical environments, including mail processing, delivery, redirection, and postal finance services.
- Publication number: AR 600-8-3
- Title: POSTAL OPERATIONS
- Date: 01/16/2026
- Proponent: G-1
- Status: ACTIVE
View AR 600-8-3 on armypubs.army.mil
AR 600-8-3 covers unit postal rooms, military post offices, mail directory service, casualty mail, money orders, and stamps. It establishes standards, policies, tasks, rules, and steps for postal operations and assigns duties to commanders and postal personnel.
Applies to: Commanders of Army commands (ACOMs), Army service component commands (ASCCs), direct reporting units, installations, and activities will comply with the requirements set forth in this regulation.
Topics covered
- Unit postal room operations
- Mail processing
- Mail directory service
- Casualty mail
- Mail redirection
- Accountable mail
- Postal finance services
Questions and answers
What facilities must commanders provide for unit postal operations?
Any level unit(s) and garrison commanders will provide a separate and secure room or facility with the space and equipment needed to operate a UPR or PSC. (paragraph 2-1)
Who can be appointed as a unit postal officer?
Commanders at any level will appoint, in writing (1) A UPO. (2) An alternate UPO, who will fulfill the duties of the UPO in his or her absence. (paragraph 2-3)
Can units establish mail collection boxes in the continental United States?
Units are prohibited from establishing unit mail collection boxes unless they are in an isolated location where collection service is not provided by USPS. (paragraph 3-2)
How is accountable mail delivered?
The USPS or MPOs will deliver accountable mail directly to the addressee or his or her authorized agent. (paragraph 3-4)
When must undeliverable mail be redirected?
Each piece of undeliverable mail will be redirected in accordance with the instructions contained within the Directory Module in AMPS. (paragraph 5-1)