Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698926300694.pdf (United Kingdom)
Defence Internal Brief SERIAL: 2009DIB/37a DATE: 16 October 2009 ISSUE: British Forces Post Office (BFPO): Reduction in service at NATO HQs AUDIENCE: All Service Personnel TIMING: Routine ACTION: For information and to be brought to the attention of all staff KEY POINTS: • BFPO postal provision supporting 10 NATO HQs in Europe and one in the USA will be rationalised over the next year.
Specifically this means that Forces Post Offices will close at SHAPE, Brussels, Brunssum, Ramstein, Stavanger, Karup, Rome, Milan, Lisbon, Valencia and Norfolk VA while retaining a receipt and despatch facility and a BFPO number.

• In order to minimise the impact on personnel and their dependants stationed at these locations, the BFPO numbers, which are useful for administrative purposes such as proving status, banking and internet shopping, will be retained.
• A limited postal receipt and despatch facility will be maintained.

There will no longer be a facility to send parcels back to the UK, but it will still be possible to receive parcels.

• ‘Over the counter’ post office services will cease.

For services outside basic mail provision, personnel and their dependants will use the relevant international mail system.

• These changes are scheduled to be completed by September 2010.
Full details will be publicised locally, as the alternative arrangements come into effect.

• The Enduring Free Mail Service out to operational theatres will not be affected.

DETAIL: The MOD continuously looks for ways to make best use of military manpower 1. and to achieve savings where practicable.

In June 2009 the MOD took the decision to rationalise the postal provision supporting UK Military personnel in 11 NATO HQs and that personnel in these locations would utilise indigenous postal services.
It is recognised that such closures have impacts that go beyond postal issues.

2.

The initial plans have been revised to take account of administrative disadvantages that such closures would have on personnel and their dependents stationed in these locations.

3.

A basic mail service will now be retained in these locations.

There will be a loss of access to Post Office Counter services.

Specifically 4.

Postal Orders and cheques will no longer be cashed.

There will be no Special Delivery provision.


Of particular note is that, while there will be provision to receive parcels, there will be no provision to send parcels back to the UK.

This will affect those internet shopping returns on which postage is required.

The Enduring Free Mail Service, which allows families and friends to send packages of up to 2 kg out to named personnel on operations for free, will not be affected.
Outside of the basic mail provision that will be available, personnel will be 5. required to use the indigenous postal services.

6.

It is envisaged that dependents will be employed to provide a basic dispatch and receipt mail service.

Most importantly BFPO numbers will be retained so as to ensure that no additional administrative disadvantage is placed upon personnel and dependents in the affected locations.
The military Postal and Courier staff affected by the closures will be posted to 7. alternative appointments.

The change is being implemented over the course of 18 months, allowing sufficient time to ensure that careers are properly managed over this period of change.

SUBJECT CONTACT: Lt Col G C C Waters, SO1 Op Wel, DCDS (Pers), AFW.

Tel: 9621 83005 Email: DCDS PERS-SCW-OP WEL SO1 FURTHER INFORMATION: Lt Col G C C Waters, SO1 Op Wel, DCDS (Pers), AFW.
Defence Internal Briefs (DIBs) are released by the DMC Internal Communications Team.

Comments or feedback on the process or format of this brief should be directed to Joanne Potter, DMC-Sec Internal Communications, Tel: 020 7218 1261, mil: 9621 81261.

For past DIBs see: http://defenceintranet.diiweb.r.mil.uk/DefenceIntranet/News/BriefingNotes/MOD/