IPTA History
Military Postal Service (MPS)
The MPS is an extension of the United States Postal Service (USPS) and generally operates where the USPS does not. On 5 May 1980 the Department of Defense designated the Army as the single manager for the Military Postal Service (MPS). The Army established the Military Postal Service Agency (MPSA) as a field operating agency with a Brigadier General as Executive Director with a joint service staff. The individual services continue to operate their own postal facilities, with policy and guidance from the MPSA through their MACOMs/MAJCOMs.
Inter-service Postal Training Activity (IPTA)
The Interservice Postal Training Activity (IPTA) was stablished in 1982 at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana under the Soldiers Support Institute (SSI), and relocated to Fort Jackson, South Carolina in 1995. IPTA is an Interservice Training Review Organization (ITRO) course hosted by the Army and staffed by the military and civilian instructors from the United States Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force. IPTA offers three resident courses; Postal Operation (F5), Postal Supervisor Course (F4), and Postal Operations (Phase 2) and sends Mobile Training Teams to conduct offsite Postal Operations courses around the globe.
Entry Level Training (ELT) Marine Students reporting from Marine Combat Training will report to the Duty/CQ NCO, Bravo Company, 369th AG BN; Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, building 2301, Sightseeing Div Avenue.
Entry Level Marine Students arriving from Marine Combat Training will NOT be authorized to operate or ride in any privately owned vehicles while assigned to the Inter-service Postal Training Activity. The local taxi services are authorized for use at the student's expense.
Advanced Marine Students (E-6 and above) on temporary additional duty (TAD) will check into designated hotel. Since there is no barracks available for Marine students E6 and above on TAD orders, a Statement of Non-Availability must be requested from the Postal School prior to arriving. All students on TAD orders are individually responsible to establish their own lodging and transportation arrangements.
Advanced Marine Students (E-5) on temporary additional duty (TAD) will be required to stay in Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, Building 2301, Sightseeing Div Avenue, unless there is no availability. To verify availability, contact MARDET Admin Chief at 803-751-3536. A Statement of Non-Availability must be requested from the Postal School prior to arriving. All students on TAD orders are individually responsible to establish their own lodging and transportation arrangements.
Marine ELT student personnel must have at a minimum the following uniform items:
- Woodland Combat Utility Uniforms
- Service 'A', 'B', 'C' Uniforms
- Combat Boots
- Marine Corps Running Suit
- Marine Corps Sweat Top and Bottom
- Multiple Green Skivvy Shirts
- Green PT Shorts
- Glow Belt
- Running Shoes
Uniform items must be serviceable for wear.
The combat utility uniform may be used for physical training as required.
ENTRY LEVEL STUDENTS:
Entry level Marine FS Postal Operations student personnel reporting in from Marine Combat Training will wear the Service Alpha Uniform.
TAD STUDENTS:
Marine students that are TAD attending the F4 Postal Supervisors Course will report in the prescribed combat utility uniform and will not need their Service 'A' uniform.
GRADUATION:
Graduation uniforms will be in the prescribed combat utility uniform.
UNIFORM OF THE DAY:
The combat utility uniform will be the uniform of the day Monday thru Friday.
MESSING:
Messing is available for all enlisted students, SNCOs and officers on TDY orders from outside the local area will receive per diem based on billeting location or as directed on orders. IPTA does not issue non-availability statements for messing.
ADDRESSES - Marine students that desire to receive mail while at the Inter-service Postal Training Activity may use the below addresses:
Mailing address (USPS):
RANK L NAME, F NAME, MI. USMC
10000 TANK HILL PARKWAY
FORT JACKSON, SC 29207-7050
Physical Address (FEDEX, UPS, DHL):
RANK L NAME, F NAME, MI. USMC
2375 MEUSE ARGONNE STREET
FORT JACKSON, SC 29207-7050
Physical Fitness:
All Marine students are required to be in compliance with the Marine Corps physical fitness standards while attending the Inter-service Postal Training Activity. Upon arrival all entry level Marine students reporting from Marine Combat Training will be administered an inventory physical fitness test. Failure to meet the Marine Corps physical fitness standards as cited in references (a), (b) and (c) will be subject to administrative action.
References:
(a) MCCSSS Student SOP
(b) MCO 6100.13A
Postal Operation Course - Marine students attending the F5 Postal Operations Course will PT Monday, Wednesday and Friday unless otherwise directed by the MARDET Chief.
Postal Supervisors Course - Students attending the F4 Postal Supervisors Course will PT as directed by the MARDET Chief.
HOURS:
The Inter-service Postal Training Activity hours are Monday-Friday 0830-1700.
EXTRA ASSISTANCE:
Students who request extra assistance on any course material must notify their instructors in advance so that schedule changes can be made accordingly.
CLASS HONORS:
Only enlisted students may compete for class honors in the Postal Operations Course. The Supervisor's Course does not have honors recognition. Any negative counseling or test failures will be an automatic disqualifier for class honors. The top 20% of the class will be recognized as follows:
- Distinguished Honor Graduate - Highest overall grade point average.
- Adjutant General Commandant's List - Next highest grade point average.
Postal Operations Course (F5)
Postal Operations Curse is a five-week course that prepares personnel of all branches of service (E-1 thru O-4) to perform duties in a Military Post Office (MPO). The course provides postal clerks with the skill sets that support unit readiness, commanders, Service Members and their families. The course consists of the 12 blocks of instruction listed below:
- Maintain Stamp Stock
- Process Domestic Mail (DM 1)
- Process Money Order Business
- Process Domestic Mail Requiring Special Services (DM 2)
- Process International Mail
- Maintain Postal Supplies
- Operate a Postal Service Center
- Conduct Postal Directory Functions
- Process Mail
- Prepare Transportation Documents
- Process Registered Mail
- Perform Postal Functions
Postal Supervisor Course (F4)
The Postal Supervisor Course produces leaders, both doctrinally sound and technically capable of delivering postal support as the Custodian of Postal Effects (COPE), Postal Officer, and Postal Supervisor within a postal organization who are also effective communicators and critical and creative thinkers. This course of instruction provides training on all critical tasks regarding Military Postal Service (MPS) responsibilities, postal financial management, perform supervisory functions on the Point of Sale (POS) One system, mail security, mail transportation and postal inspections.
- Identification of Military Postal Service Responsibilities
- Contingency Postal Operations
- Postal Incidents
- Assume Custodian of Postal Effects Responsibilities/Meter/Scales
- Point of Sale (POS)
- Inspect a Military Post Office
- Automated Military Postal System (AMPS)