Change of Address and Directory Cards (DA Form 3955).

In-processing personnel.

1 All personnel, including personnel living off-post and in quarters, shall complete two “Change of Address and Directory Cards”. At a minimum, all active directory cards must contain, name, grade, organization, receptacle number and mailing address. UMCs may annotate the directory card with the family member's first name and middle initial, and when differing from the sponsor, the last name.

2 One directory card shall remain in the UMR card files and the other shall be delivered to the Installation Postal Directory Section. The cards shall be arranged alphabetically by last name in one file, regardless of status or rank.

3 Once the UMC is notified of a temporary change of duty status (e.g., hospital, AWOL, TDY, etc.), the UMC shall annotate in pencil the status change in the “Remarks” block on their DA Form 3955 directory card. This entry shall also include the beginning and ending dates and any address changes.

Out-processing personnel.

1 All personnel, including personnel living off-post and in quarters, shall complete two “Change of Address and Directory Cards”. The UMC shall annotate the date departed, purge date, forwarding address and a projected reporting (arrival) date. Individuals who do not have a direct assignment, and are assigned to an overseas replacement activity shall have their mail forwarded to the appropriate casual mail directory.

2 The date of destruction shall be 12 months from date of departure. The date of destruction shall be annotated in the “Purge Data” block. Mail shall be forwarded for a 12-month period from the date of departure. For example, if an individual departs in July 1998, code the directory card for destruction in August 1999.

3 One directory card shall remain in the UMR files and the other shall be delivered to the Installation Postal Directory Section.

4 The inactive DA Form 3955 directory cards shall be filed with the active DA Form 3955 directory cards.

5 During the first week of each month, the inactive directory cards shall be screened and all expired cards shall be removed and destroyed.

The UMC may use computer listings or electronic storage instead of card files. The UMC must follow the previously prescribed procedures, except computerized database directories, with search-by-name capacity, do not need to be filed alphabetically. The UMC must post changes daily and data must be backed up on a regular basis. Recommend weekly backup.

All “Change of Address and Directory Cards” for newly assigned and recently departed personnel shall be delivered to the Installation Postal Directory Section daily.

The “Change of Address and Directory Cards” may not be used as a Post Locator. See Privileged Nature of Mail and Postal Records.