Just like Marine Corps boot camp, receiving mail during an overseas deployment is essential to the morale of Marines. The only drawback to mailing letters the conventional method is the time elapsed before the letter actually arrives at its destination. Not to mention the additional time it takes to sort and deliver the mail to the Marine's specific unit.

Now, with some inspiration from the British, the Marine Corps has developed a program called MotoMail, which is designed to enable Marines to receive a sealed letter within 24 hours.

"The MotoMail system is based on the British Armed Forces system, called E-Bluey that has been used to send free messages to personnel stationed at locations around the world for the last five years," said Chief Warrant Office-4 Don McCarty, Headquarters Marine Corps postal affairs officer.

MotoMail enables family members and friends to go online, create a secure letter and store it on a secure server. The postal Marines then download the letters from the server, automatically sort them by the 9-digit zip code, print, fold, seal and deliver them.

So far, the Marine Corps is the only military branch that has made this available to its service members in select locations. Marines currently have the MotoMail system available in Al Asad, Al Fallujah, Al Taqaddum and Camp Blue Diamond, all of which are in Iraq.

MotoMail has several advantages over mailing letters traditionally, said McCarty. The delivery transit time is usually within 24 hours and is available at no costs to anyone. Using MotoMail also can prevent misdirected mail. Despite the convenience of MotoMail, its intention is not to replace mailing packages or other pieces of mail besides letters.

 McCarty said the messages must have a real Marine's name in the address to be processed. A message with a fake name will not be delivered. MotoMail is not designed to be used to send letters of encouragement or support from the public. The MotoMail system is designed to let anyone use it, as long as they know a Marine or sailor attached to a Marine unit overseas," said McCarty.

"The Marines Corps MotoMail system is going to have tremendous positive effect on morale in Iraq during the holiday season by providing unparalleled delivery times," said McCarty. "Families and friends will be able to submit a letter on Christmas Eve for delivery on Christmas day."

In order to use MotoMail, log on to http://www.motomail.us and create an account. The only information needed to successfully pinpoint a Marine will be his unit number, rank and full name. After creating an account, the rest is like writing an e-mail.

Since MotoMail began Dec. 2, there have been approximately 10,000 letters printed and more than 9,500 delivered. In less then a month of operation, around 9,000 users have created an online account.

"The program has taken off as expected," said McCarty. "Everyone is enthusiastic by the response it has received so far, and hopefully the program will become a permanent fixture in the Marine Corps worldwide.