The White Falcon - 26.08.1994, Side 3

Your mail-survey questions get answered
Why is mail a lower priority than
At?
According to regulations, first class
mail takes precedence on aircraft over all
other traffic, except passengers and their
baggage. Space available mail (SAM) has
no priority on commercial air carriers.
Parcel airlift mail has the same priority as
SAM from the gateway to the overseas
area.
Q: What is done with recovered stolen
merchandise?
A: Naval Criminal Investigative Service
(NCIS) stores it in an evidence locker. If
an appeal is filed, it must remain there
one year. At the end of that year, it is usu-
ally transferred to the Defense
Reutilization Management Organization.
The merchandise is not returned to the
owner as claims have already been filed
and replacement merchandise has been
received.
Q: Why aren’t patrons notified of a theft
problem?
A: With an active investigation, infor-
jon is considered sensitive. As soon as
ivestigation is completed, patrons are
red, encouraged to submit claims, and
report to NCIS to identify stolen merchan-
dise.
Q: Why can’t the VP squadron go two
times a week to pick up mail?
A: According to regulations, use of mili-
tary aircraft shall normally be limited to
routes where U.S. and foreign air carriers
do not operate. IcelandAir is the recog-
nized foreign air carrier for this base and
offers daily mail transportation. If there is
insufficient space on the commercial carri-
er, military aircraft may be used, but strict-
ly on a space-available basis, and may not
be regularly scheduled for this service.
Q: Why does it sometimes take four to
six weeks for official mail to get to or from
Norfolk?
A: Official mail services provided by the
NAS Administration Department are
available Monday through Friday. Mail
must be delivered no later than 11 a.m.
Saturday service was discontinued because
of non-usage. Official mail received at
NAS Administration is dispatched to the
NAS Post Office on a same-day basis. If
the mail has been sent military only mail,
it is moved by surface in the United States.
Delivery time may take as long as 21 days.
Q: Why can’t official mail be done by
the post office or PC personnel?
A: Official and non-official mail can no
longer be processed in the same location.
At this time, manning levels and workload
preclude the NAS Post Office from pro-
viding personnel.
Q: Since it is a morale issue, why can’t
mail be picked-up daily?
A: In canvassing local commands, most
mail pick-up times are based on a day
worker’s schedule. Duty personnel and
mission essential personnel work in the
evenings. NAS postal clerks work 7:30
a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Sunday is their day off. All postal person-
nel are expected to stand duty PC, which
entails night/cargo mail runs. This occurs
three to four times a week from 8 p.m. to
5:30 a.m. It is a morale issue. Unfortu-
nately, it is also a morale issue for person-
nel who work an average of 75 hours per
week with one day off each weekend.
Q: How do I authorize someone to pick
up my mail when I am off island?
A: Before leaving, stop by the NAS Post
Office or contact your command mail
orderly and get a PS form 3801. This will
permit your spouse or friend to pick up
your accountable mail. Regular mail can
be picked up at your command/barracks
mail box by using the appropriate
key/combination and filing an authorized
agent designation letter. Check with your
command mail orderly or the USAF Mail
Room to review local policies, pick up/file
local forms, and so forth.
Q: Since you don’t have enough PC per-
sonnel, have you looked at any other
sources of manpower?
A: Yes. Volunteers are always welcome
to assist in sorting mail. Budgets preclude
the hiring of civilian employees at this
time. An efficiency review is scheduled for
October to determine the optimal man-
ning levels for NAS. The post office will
also be reviewed.
The above questions resulted from the Post
Office Quality Management Board survey con-
ducted earlier this year. For more information,
call Cmdr. Abigail Howell at ext. 4582 or Lt.
Michael L. VanMeter at ext. 6207.
9{fums and faces
Meet Cmdr. J. Kevin Mattonen
Works at: Naval Facility
Duties: Commanding Officer
Wife: Jody
Children: Ian, Graham and Corey
Hometown: Annapolis, Md.
Years of service: 16 years
Favorite subject in school: Recess
Hobbies: Reading and refinishing old furniture
Favorite movie: The High and the Mighty
Favorite television show: The Gong Show
Favorite food: Greek
People who know me think I am: Slightly unconventional
Most rewarding aspect of military service: Having so many great
people that make my job the easiest in the building
Goals: Make Naval Facility a place where people can do their best
(Photo by OTA3 Ruth D. Brown)
August 26,1994
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