Understanding US Military Addresses

Military addresses in the United States are designed to ensure the accurate and timely delivery of mail to service members stationed domestically and internationally. These addresses are part of a special system maintained by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in cooperation with the Department of Defense (DoD). This system allows military mail to be routed through specific postal facilities known as military post offices, which are distinct from regular civilian postal services.

Key Components of a Military Address

A standard military address generally includes the following elements:

1. Service Member’s Name – Usually in the format of rank followed by full name.
2. Unit and Box Number – This identifies the service member’s unit and specific mailing box.
3. APO/FPO/DPO Designation – Indicates the type of military post office.
4. State Abbreviation – A placeholder that aids routing, not a geographical U.S. state.
5. ZIP Code – A special code for military locations.

The general format is as follows:

Rank Full Name
Unit/PSC Number, Box Number
APO/FPO/DPO + AA/AE/AP ZIP Code

Examples:

SGT John Doe
PSC 1234, Box 56789
APO AE 09354

LT Jane Smith
Unit 4321 Box 8765
FPO AP 96601

Understanding APO, FPO, and DPO

Military addresses use special three-letter abbreviations to identify the type of military post office involved. These are not city names, although they appear in the same position as a city in a civilian address.

• APO (Army Post Office): Used for Army and Air Force locations.
• FPO (Fleet Post Office): Used for Navy and Marine Corps locations.
• DPO (Diplomatic Post Office): Used for U.S. embassies and consulates served by the Department of State.

State Abbreviations for Military Addresses

The “state” field in a military address does not correspond to a U.S. state but rather a region code used for routing mail. These are standardized as follows:

• AA – Armed Forces Americas (includes Central and South America, except Canada)
• AE – Armed Forces Europe (includes Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Canada)
• AP – Armed Forces Pacific (includes Asia and the Pacific region)

Military ZIP Codes

Military ZIP codes are assigned in blocks and help route mail to the correct regional military postal facility. They function similarly to civilian ZIP codes but are exclusive to military addresses.

ZIP Code Ranges by Region:

• 090–099 – APO/FPO AE (Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Canada)
• 340 – APO AA (Americas)
• 962–966 – APO/FPO AP (Pacific, Asia)

These ranges help postal workers and automated systems quickly determine the appropriate routing. For instance, a ZIP code of 09354 immediately identifies a military destination in the Middle East under the AE code.

Facts One Can Infer from a Military ZIP Code

• If the ZIP code is in the 090–099 range, the mail is headed to Europe, the Middle East, or Africa.
• A 340 ZIP code indicates a location in the Americas, likely Central or South America.
• ZIP codes in the 962–966 range are associated with Asia and the Pacific.

Military Addresses Located Within the United States

Not all military addresses are associated with overseas locations. Many service members are stationed at domestic bases within the United States, and their mailing addresses may reflect standard civilian formats. However, some domestic installations still use APO or FPO addresses, particularly for units that deploy or rotate frequently. In general:

• Domestic military addresses often use standard city and state designations with civilian ZIP codes.
• They do not use APO/FPO/DPO or AA/AE/AP designations unless tied to overseas operations or special routing.
• Mail to U.S.-based installations is handled through the regular USPS system.

When mailing to a known U.S.-based installation, it is best to use the address format provided by the service member or the installation itself, as formatting can vary by base and branch.

Temporary vs. Permanent Assignments

Military personnel frequently change locations due to deployment, training, or reassignment. As a result, the handling of mail can vary depending on the nature of the assignment.

• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) – For long-term assignments, service members receive a consistent mailing address at their new duty station.
• Temporary Duty (TDY) or Deployment – When deployed or on short-term assignment, military personnel are typically assigned a temporary military mailing address (APO/FPO/DPO) for the duration.
• Forwarding and Holding – The military postal system does not automatically forward mail. Service members are responsible for updating their address or arranging for mail to be held or redirected by a trusted individual or service such as USPS mail forwarding.

For families and friends, it is important to confirm whether a mailing address is current, especially for individuals in combat or rotational assignments.

Helpful Tools and Resources

Several resources are available to assist in formatting and sending mail to military addresses:

• USPS Military Mail Guidelines
• USPS ZIP Code Lookup Tool
• Firstlogic Address Validation Tool

These tools provide guidance on restrictions, forms, shipping options, and other support for both military personnel and civilian correspondents.

Restrictions and Guidelines

• Do not include the country name in the address, even if the location is overseas. This ensures mail is routed through the military postal system and not international postal services.
• Use proper formatting to avoid delays.
• All items must conform to USPS and DoD guidelines, including restrictions on certain contents based on destination.