designated  locally.    The  alternate  MPC  should  be available to carry out postal functions in the absence of the  primary  MPC  or  when  it  becomes  necessary  to assist  the  primary  MPC.     Personnel  selected  as alternate  MPCs  must  meet  the  qualifications  as  for MPCs.  Personnel selected as alternate MPCs need not be of the Postal Clerk rating or designated strikers. MAIL CLERK Mail  clerks  are  individuals  assigned  to  do  mail duties at unit mailrooms (UMRs) according to DOD regulations.   When  mail  is  in  their  possession,  mail clerks must safeguard mail at all times. Mail clerks pick up mail from a military post office and deliver it to members of their unit. Mail clerks also maintain  a  mail  directory  file  at  the  UMR.    The directory  file  must  show  the  names  of  all  personnel being served, scheduled to arrive, assigned temporary duty, and transferred personnel.  After their departure, personnel should have directory service given to their mail for 12 months or 3 months if assigned for a period of  6  months  or  less.     Mail  clerks  must  ensure transferring personnel complete an additional change of address card for filing with the serving post office. If necessary, the transfer section of a command can help in this matter.   Positive training must be supplied to mail  clerks  by  unit  postal  officers  and  UMR supervisors.     For  further  guidance,  refer  to  the Department of Defense Postal Manual, Volume II. MAIL ORDERLY Mail  orderlies  are  individuals  from  divisions, departments,  squadrons,  or  commands  who  are assigned  to  pick  up  mail  from  a  post  office  or  unit mailroom.  Aboard ship, the mail orderly will go to the post office where mail is distributed during mail call. Prior to receiving mail, the mail orderly must provide proof of identification.  Ask the mail orderly to show a DD Form 285. This form along with the mail orderly’s identification card is enough. Mail-handling  training  must  also  be  supplied  to mail orderlies.  U.S. citizenship is mandatory, and the person  must  be  eligible  for  a  Secret  Clearance  (an Entrance National Agency Check or National Agency Check  is  on  file)  if  required  to  handle  official registered mail.   Further instructions are given in the Department of Defense Postal Manual, Volume II. FINANCIAL POSTAL CLERK A  Financial  Postal  Clerk  is  a  DOD  civilian employee  in  an  overseas  shore-based  military  post office   who   has   been   assigned   custody   and accountability of a portion of the post office’s stamp and money order account. A financial postal clerk also sells postage stamps and other stamped paper (stamped cards,  stamped  envelopes,  and  so  forth),  sells  and redeems postal money orders, and accepts and delivers accountable mail as well as performs such other postal duties as are assigned by proper authority. CUSTODIAN OF POSTAL EFFECTS At  each  command  that  operates  a  post  office  a member or DOD civilian employee of the U.S. Armed Forces  will  be  designated  as  a  custodian  of  postal effects  (COPE).    The  COPE  is  accountable  for  the stamp stock and other postal effects issued to that post office  by  the  USPS.    Civilian  employees  who  are designated  as  the  COPE  should  be  under  the  direct supervision of a military supervisor.  At some time in your career you may become the command COPE. RESERVE CUSTODIAN A reserve custodian is a commissioned officer or postal clerk (E-7 or above) designated in writing by the commanding officer to hold a portion of the assigned stamp stock (stamps and cash) and blank money order forms. A reserve custodian should be designated when conditions do not allow the COPE to properly protect postal effects, such as shipboard operations, or when the commanding officer desires to limit the amount of stamp stock to be held by the COPE.  Aboard smaller ships the disbursing officer is normally designated as the reserve custodian. MONEY ORDER VERIFICATION OFFICER The money order verification officer is a person (E-7   or   above)   designated   in   writing   by   the commanding officer and is responsible for conducting the  audit  of  the  daily  money  order  business  report. Aboard  ship  the  money  order  verification  officer  is normally the disbursing officer. POSTAL OFFICER The  postal  officer  is  a  person  (E-7  or  above) designated in writing by the commanding officer with responsibility for the overall supervision of the postal 1-10