About this Unit
The 24th Marine Service Company, Postal Platoon (24th MAR SVC CO. POSTAL PLT) is a specialized unit within the United States Marine Corps Reserve, tasked with providing essential postal services to deployed Marines and supporting commands. Historically, the Postal Platoon has played a critical role in maintaining morale by ensuring secure and reliable mail delivery in both peacetime and combat operations. The unit supports major exercises and overseas deployments, facilitating the flow of critical correspondence and packages to and from Marines in the field. Their mission contributes directly to operational effectiveness by sustaining communication links between service members and their families, an often-overlooked but vital aspect of military readiness.
Historical Facts
•
Origins: The 24th Marine Service Company (24th MAR SVC CO) is a component of the United States Marine Corps Reserve, providing logistics and support functions, including postal services through its Postal Platoon (POSTAL PLT).
•
Postal Platoon Mission: The Postal Platoon is responsible for handling, processing, and distributing mail for deployed Marines, ensuring communication with loved ones remains open even in austere environments.
•
Gulf War Support: Elements of Reserve postal units, like those in the 24th MAR SVC CO, played a vital role during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, processing thousands of pounds of mail to boost morale.
•
Iraq & Afghanistan Deployments: The Postal Platoon has supported numerous overseas deployments, ensuring Marines received letters and packages, which have been shown to significantly improve troop morale and mental health.
•
Training: Postal Marines receive specialized training in military postal operations, customs regulations, and security procedures to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of military mail.
•
“Lifeline” in Combat Zones: Mail delivered by the Postal Platoon is often called the “lifeline” for deployed Marines, providing critical news from home, care packages, and a sense of normalcy.
•
Innovation: The unit has adapted to modern technology by incorporating automated mail tracking and sorting equipment, streamlining delivery even in forward-deployed locations.
•
Humanitarian Missions: The Postal Platoon has supported humanitarian and disaster relief operations, ensuring communication for Marines assisting in natural disasters worldwide.
•
Joint Operations: The 24th MAR SVC CO POSTAL PLT frequently works with other branches of the U.S. military and allied forces to maintain seamless postal and logistics support across joint operations.
•
Tradition of Service: Marines in the Postal Platoon uphold the Corps’ values of honor, courage, and commitment, often working long hours under challenging conditions to deliver mail, embodying the Marine ethos of “No Marine left behind”—including their mail.
