What is 42A and Postal School like?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 May 2016 21:04:41 -0400

I'm transferring into a new unit. It's a HR CO (Postal) and I will be sent to 42A reclass school and than to F5 Postal School. Any insight on what to expect? Thanks

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2016 11:08 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 May 2016 23:08:34 -0400

The 42A Course will teach you about preparing Military Correspondence AR25-50, processing DD93s, SGLI, Evaluations, perstats, annual audits, awards, promotions, flagging actions, administrative actions , medical/dental readiness, a bunch of other things. The F5 course will teach you everything you would need to know to work at the window at an APO and provide all postal services. You also learn about how the run the operations part of the APO.

Response by SPC Andrew Eggers made May 19 at 2016 2:51 AM

SPC Andrew Eggers — Thu, 19 May 2016 02:51:51 -0400

I work in MPO in korea they never gave F5 school.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2016 1:27 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 May 2016 13:27:02 -0400

You'll be an MOS-T and put at Alpha Company 369th Adjutant General Battalion. You'll got through 9 weeks of HR Classes. You'll probably be put in the classes with the IET soldiers too btw. I just graduated the HR program as my primary MOS. I have a few battles that went to Fox 5. Haven't told me anything about it but they were there for about a month.

Response by SGT Justin Lamb made May 23 at 2016 11:00 AM

SGT Justin Lamb — Mon, 23 May 2016 11:00:05 -0400

F5 school was pretty fun. Major attention to detail is needed. You will learn how to process the different types of everyday mail from certified to insured. The rules and regs that go with it so you don't end up in jail for screwing up the mail process. We were lucky enough to have 2 teachers from the school house fly down to our unit before deploying. It's a fun course but do your homework mail is nothing to play with

Response by SPC Pamela Terrell made Jun 5 at 2016 7:19 PM

SPC Pamela Terrell — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 19:19:38 -0400

F5 is just an identifier and if the Postal class is the same as when I took it there are 2 phases.

Response by SGT Vivian Shuffield made Apr 13 at 2018 2:17 PM

SGT Vivian Shuffield — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 14:17:03 -0400

You'll be suprised how many rules and regulations ther are with that Postal identifier. Yes, 2 phase when I went through in 2004. I suggest do like i did and try to get scheduled them back to back , so the info is fresh on your mind. I was so suprised there was something new
to learn everyday. It's paced well though , not overwhelming. You do form up outide of the school house and file into class. There are cleaning rosters of course , both at school and your barracks. 42A isnt bad at all. It is mostly familiarization with basic forms and Army Regulations, and a typing test. You get to take the typing test multiple times. I think its suppose to be 30wpm

Response by SFC Glenn Kozak made Sep 30 at 2018 5:15 PM

SFC Glenn Kozak — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 17:15:52 -0400

I was an AGR Training NCO (USAR). MOS 42A / ASI F5 because I was assigned to a Postal Unit. I was the PSG when we deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan in 2003-04. 42A need to type 25 WPM and that’s not hard. The rest is attention to detail. I’m retired now and work for Immigration in the mailroom. Good, steady job! Hope this helps.