USPS inspectors visit largest DOD postal ops

Story and photo by 2nd Lt. Kay M. Nissen
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

 

Senior Airman Chelsea Kemper, Ramstein Northside Post Office custodian of postal effects, briefs the U.S. Postal Service inspectors on the parcel service center April 19 on Ramstein. The USPS inspectors visited the Northside Post Office to observe the day-to-day functions of the Department of Defense’s largest postal operation.
Senior Airman Chelsea Kemper, Ramstein Northside Post Office custodian of postal effects, briefs the U.S. Postal Service inspectors on the parcel service center April 19 on Ramstein. The USPS inspectors visited the Northside Post Office to observe the day-to-day functions of the Department of Defense’s largest postal operation.

Three U.S. Postal Service inspectors visited with members of the 86th Communications Squadron April 19 at the Ramstein Northside Post Office.

The purpose of the visit was to observe the day-to-day functions of the Department of Defense’s largest postal operation.

“The USPS came to see how we do things,” said Tech. Sgt. Jamal Graham, Northside Post Office postmaster. “We had been recognized as the best in USAFE, so they wanted to see what we do.”

Senior Airman Chelsea Kemper, Northside Post Office custodian of postal effects, briefed the inspectors on the different sections within the post office. She discussed the procedures for parcel service center, finance, receipt and delivery, customer service, official mail and registered mail sections.

“What we do on a daily basis is important to our customers,” said Kemper, who has been stationed at Ramstein since October 2011. “I enjoy helping the customer…The more we know, the better the customer service we can give.”

The USPS inspectors discussed customer service, security issues and challenges facing the post office which received seven million pounds of mail last year. In particular, the inspectors marked the cleanliness and organization of the post office grounds and its importance to effective postal operations.

“I have to say this is extremely impressive,” said Gregory Crabb, U.S. Postal Inspection Service inspector in charge of revenue, product and global security. “With as many boxes and packages as you have, this is impressive.”

The 86th CS Airmen continue to make improvements towards their goal to be the best in the Air Force.
“We are opening up a separate branch office for customer service. This will help us have better connection with the community and be able to help with customers questions longer than we are currently,” Graham said. “We are opening a ‘click and ship’ line to help get the customers in and out of the post office quicker. Since ‘click and ship’ packages are already paid for, we can expedite the process so customers do not have to wait.”

The Northside Post Office was named best in U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa and second best in the Air Force for Information Dominance Large Postal Facility in 2012.