MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- An Army Reserve unit from Maui, Hawaii, came aboard to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, recently to augment Marines assigned to the Base Post Office.
“This is my first time out here, and it seems really cool — getting to interact with Marines in their work environment,” said Army Pfc. Justin Kaleo Cravalho, postal clerk, 751st Army Guard Company Postal. “While we’re here, we will be learning how to do mail directory and practicing our basic postal operation skills.”
According to the seven postal clerks, they have been to Fort Shafter and Schofield Barracks for training, but this is their first time at MCB Hawaii.
“The soldiers have really been helping us out, a lot, at the post office,” admitted Lance Cpl. Cynthia M. Collins, postal clerk, Headquarters Battalion, MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.
Collins said that having the Army reservists work with them lessens the workload for the Marines assigned to the post office.
“It helps us out a lot because we’re usually short-handed because of the various working parties we do,” she continued.
Collins then explained how she wished the soldiers could stay longer to help at the post office. She also made it clear to them just how much she appreciated their help.
“We come here for one week and work,” said Cravalho, a Hilo, Hawaii native. “There are currently seventeen soldiers in our unit that we rotate working here. After the first week is over, we then go on to either Fort Shafter or Schofield to learn how to drive vehicles like the seven-ton truck and humvees.”
Cravalho said it was nice to know that even though their unit was there for just one week, they were able to help out.
“It seemed like the Marines who worked at the post office were overwhelmed with work,” said Cravalho. “It was nice to be able take some of that load off of their backs and to know we’re actually needed.”