i mef fwd

1. I MEF FWD/MHG PRE-DEPLOYMENT BRIEF

3. TOPICS NMCRS United Through Reading Disbursing Postal American Red Cross

4. NMCRS Mr. Michael Hire

5. PRE-AUTHORIZATION FORMS Authorization for Assistance to Dependants

6. NMCRS LOCATIONS Mainside Office – Aboard Camp Pendleton Building 1121 at the corner of 14th and E St. Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri 8:30 to 4:00 Thur 8:30 to 2:45 Phone:760 725-5337 San Onofre Office – Aboard Camp Pendleton Building 520512 in the School of Infantry. Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri 8:30 to 4:00 Thur 8:30 to 2:30 Phone: 760 725-7497 949 492-1082

7. UNITED THROUGH READING Mrs. Susan Colan

8. One of the most difficult things a child can experience is having a parent deployed to a war zone for an indeterminate period of time. The United Through Reading® Military Program helps ease the stress of separation for military families by having deployed parents read children’s books aloud via DVD for their child to watch at home. This powerful program is available to all deploying military units and at select USO locations. It provides parents a chance to make powerful and lasting connections with their children and parent from afar.

10. HOW IT WORKS Sponsored through participating commands/units and hosted at select USO centers Available to all deploying military commands/units Easy and inexpensive to implement Effective in building command and family morale Allows the deployed parent, aunt, uncle, or sibling and the child to make powerful connections Helps deployed military personnel parent from afar Reassures the child that Mom or Dad is safe and thinking of home Provides support to the parent or caregiver at home

11. Administrative Support for Operation Enduring Freedom Family Readiness Brief

12. Family Separation Allowance (FSA) Hostile Fire Pay (HFP) Hardship Duty Location Pay (HDP-L) Deployed Per Diem Combat Leave / Combat Zone Tax Exclusion Two Scenarios Split Pay Deployment Entitlements

13. Is a monthly entitlement and may be prorated. Rate is $250.00 per month. Entitlement begins on the day of departure from the Permanent Duty Station (PDS). Starts on the 31st day, retroactive to the date of departure. Stops the day prior to arrival at the PDS. Not entitled when legally separated from spouse (Marine must provide documents to IPAC). Family Separation Allowance

14. Is a monthly entitlement and will not be prorated. Rate is $225.00 per month. Starts on the first day of the month member arrives in Area of Responsibility (AOR). Stops the last day of the month member departs AOR. Hostile Fire Pay

15. Is a monthly entitlement and may be prorated. Amount for Iraq and Afghanistan is $100.00 per month. Hardship Duty Location Pay for designated areas is payable to both officers and enlisted Marines. Entitlement begins on the day of arrival in the AOR. Starts on the 31st day, retroactive to the date of arrival in the AOR. Stops the day of departure. Hardship Duty LocationPay (HDP-L)

16. Is a daily entitlement. Amount is $3.50 per day (Contingency) Starts the day after arrival in AOR. Stops the day prior to departure from the AOR. Not entitled while on leave, TAD, UA, Confined, hospitalized, or on ship. Deployed Per Diem

17. 2.5 days Combat Leave earned per month Leave earned while tax excluded is considered Combat Leave. There is not a separate entitlement for regular and combat leave. When you take leave, your combat leave days will be deducted from your leave balance first.

18. Combat Leave and Tax Exclusion There is a monthly cap on the amount of income that is tax excludable… that being equal to highest rate of E9 pay (SMMC) plus $225 (presently that amount is 7143.30 + $225 = 7368.30).

19. Allows Marines to receive a portion of their pay at their duty locality each payday. Works the same as an allotment. Started by submitting a Personnel Action Request (PAR) to the Deployments section. Any changes or stops must also be submitted via PAR to the Deployments section. Split Pay

21. Points of ContactIPAC Deployment Branch

22. Operation Enduring Freedom I MEFPOSTAL

23. Classes of Mail FIRST CLASS (13 oz or less) Averaging about 7-10 days for delivery PRIORITY (Over 13 oz. up to 70 lbs.) Recommended for packages. Average about 7-10 days delivery. LARGE FPO/APO FLAT RATE BOX ($11.95regardless of weight) FLAT RATE BOX ($10.35 regardless of weight) FLAT RATE ENVELOPE ($4.95 regardless of weight) PARCEL POST (Over 2 lbs. up to 70 lbs.) Slowest/Cheapest way to send packages. Average about 8-14 days delivery. MOTO MAIL (Email to Hard-copy letter) NON-POSTAL (USPS) carriers (i.e., FEDEX, UPS, DHL) are not handled by Military Postal Clerks.

24. Services and Prices Service Average Delivery Time Starting Price Pricing Factors ALL PRICES BASED ON WEIGHT AND DISTANCE! Express Mail Overnight, most locations From $13.05 Priority Mail 1 - 3 days From $4.95Prices First-Class Mail 1 - 3 days From $0.44 Parcel Post 2 - 8 days From $4.90 Media Mail 2 - 8 days From $2.38 (content restrictions apply) Library Mail 2 - 8 days From $2.26(content restrictions apply)

25. PROPER PACKING IS A MUST

26. TIPS FOR PROPER PACKAGING Recommend NYLON FILAMENT FIBER TAPE OR MAILING TAPE. Masking and scotch tape are NOT AUTHORIZED. Place LIQUID items such as salsa, lotion and beverages in separate zip lock bags. Always use the SMALLEST box possible. Always use DURABLE boxes. Use BUBBLE WRAP/STYROFOAM POPCORN when sending breakable items. Package items TIGHTLY to avoid shifting.

27. TIPS FOR PROPER PACKAGING Never send BULKY items in an envelope (i.e,. Keys, Dog Tags, Rings, and Cassette Tapes). Include the RETURN and ADDRESSEES ADDRESS inside the parcel. Place the address on only one side of the article being mailed. Use INSURANCE on packages that contain valuable items going to and from the U.S. and deployment site.

28. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS All mail weighing OVER 16 OUNCES must be presented to a post office for mailing. All parcels being sent FROM, TO or BETWEEN an APO/FPO must bear a customs form. To assist customs and prevent damage to your package, include Lock Combination or Keys when mailing sea-bags, or foot lockers. Custom forms must be filled out in DETAIL.    

29. MAILING RESTRICTIONS OBSCENE MATERIAL (pictures, magazines, nude or semi-nude). PORK and PORK BY-PRODUCTS. LARGE QUANTITIES of material contrary to the Islamic belief. Quantities for personal use are permissible. No Alcohol. For additional restriction, contact your local military post office. EXPRESS MAIL not authorized. If accidentally accepted at post office, request refund for overpayment.

31. PERSONAL DEPLOYED ADDRESS RANK, L. NAME, F. NAME, M.I. (LAST 4) I MEF/IMHG FWD (SECTION) Unit 42511 FPO AP 96427-2511 Never change address Most Important Slide!!!

32. FREE MAIL FROM an overseas combat location TO the United States ONLY. Postcards, Letters and Recorded Communications (whether sound or video) with the character of personal correspondence. Must have a FROM and a TO address. “FREE” written in the top right corner.

33. Military Post Office 725-5769 763-1196 Postal Website http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/MLG/specialstaffsections/postal/ “We can’t fix it, if we don’t know” Any Questions?

34. AMERICAN RED CROSS Mr. Charlie Fleishman

35. Emergency Leave Official Communication Immediate Family Emergency Leave is decided by your command.