Priority Mail Military Box Reports For Duty

Post Office Holds First-Of-Its-Kind Contest

FORT KNOX, KY — Ever wonder how many night-vision goggles, rappelling harnesses or camouflage fatigue pants you can pack into a Priority Mail shipping box?

We may soon find out as military family members in Fort Knox vie for the title of “Top Packer” on Tuesday, March 18 at the Fort Knox Post Office, 120 N. Knox St.

“A package from home can mean the world to our military men and women serving overseas,” said Fort Knox Supervisor Mary Cardoza. “So what better way to kick off the debut of our new Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box than with a contest for soldiers’ families.”

The contest will be held from 10 a.m. until noon when participants will be judged on the total weight of their boxes. Packages must remain open to qualify for prizes. The top three finishers will get their shipping fees waived and the first-place finisher will receive an additional prize.

Officials from the American Red Cross, a co-sponsor of the event, will offer free blood pressure tests during the event to no doubt ease the competitiveness in the air. Refreshments also will be served.

The new Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box measures 12” x 12” x 5 ½ “ and can be shipped for just $12.95 to any address in the United States. Packages going to Army Post Office (APO) and Fleet Post Office (FPO) will receive a $2 discount.

“The new box is twice as big as the previous flat-rate boxes,” said Cardoza. “It’s going to save our customers a great deal of money when shipping to loved ones overseas.”

Some of the new boxes are co-branded with the logo of America Supports You, a Department of Defense program that connects citizens offering support to the military and their families. The America Supports You version of the new box is available at the Fort Knox Post Office, online at usps.com or by calling (800) 610-8734.  

“Either version of the new larger box is eligible for the $2 military discount,” Cardoza said, “as long as it is sent to an APO or FPO address.”

The two smaller Priority Mail Flat-Rate Boxes can be shipped anywhere in the United States for $8.95. The smaller boxes aren’t eligible for the military discount. All flat-rate boxes can be used for shipping to international addresses.

There are more than 1,500 Kentucky Guardsmen and reservists activated and serving around the world. Presently, Guardsmen and reservists currently on active duty around the world come from Kentucky communities including Bardstown, Carlisle, Carrollton, Corbin, Fort Knox, Fort Thomas, Frankfort, Hazard, Lexington, Louisville, Murray, Owensboro, Paducah, Richmond, Shelbyville and Somerset.