Dorm residents receive new mailboxes

Published March 17, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Diana M. Cossaboom
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Shaw AFB dormitory residents will soon have to go to the U.S. Post Office on base to receive mail instead of conveniently receiving mail in their dormitory mailboxes.

The mailboxes will be accessible 24/7, while packages will continue to be available for pickup at the Chief Master Sgt. Emerson Williams Dining Facility mailroom.

"It centralizes the delivery process for the USPS," said Master Sgt. Keith Hicks, 20th Communications Squadron knowledge operations functional manager and base official mail manager. "New P.O. boxes have been installed and we will continually work to make the transition as smooth as possible."

Dormitory residents will receive their own mailbox and keep the same mailing address.

"It's efficient to have our mail in the residence," said Airman 1st Class Michaela Boles, 20th Force Support Squadron food services apprentice. "Time will tell. It's going to be a hassle walking over there."

Many residents disapprove of moving the mailboxes because they were conveniently located in their dorms; however the reason for the move is to centralize the mail on base and save the 20th Fighter Wing funds due to budget constraints.

"A notification will go out to all dorm residents and unit first sergeants once the addressing has been established," said Hicks.

For packages, pickup hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; however the hours are subject to change.

NCOs and Airmen assigned to the 20th CS and 20th Civil Engineer Squadron have been working on the move and are streamlining the process to make it have as little impact on the dorm residents as possible, said Hicks.

For more information, call Master Sgt. Keith Hicks at 20th CS (803) 895-5421, or Master Sgt. Brian Ailstock at 20th CES (803) 895-5062.