Postal Clerk
Manages mail services for Navy personnel ashore and afloat.
Overall
Quick Stats
Security Clearance
Secret~$3K–$15K civilian sector value
Requires a National Agency Check with Local Agency Check and Credit Check (NACLC). Processing typically takes 1–3 months and is initiated early in your training pipeline.
ASVAB Requirements
Who This Is Best For
Best for service-oriented individuals who prefer a straightforward, lower-stress role with a predictable routine. If you value work-life balance over career intensity and want transferable postal and logistics skills, this rate offers stability without the high-tempo demands of operational ratings.
+Pros
- ✓Strong civilian career transition
–Cons
Real Opinions
+Positive
“I would recommend PC to anyone considering it. The training is solid and the community takes care of its own.”
“It is a good opportunity to gain more skills and learn new things. I think it will be a big change for the PCs.”
“Loved my time in the US Navy. Lots of travel, very good pay, benefits, management, and work conditions. Excellent schools and plenty of advancement opportunities. Would highly recommend this job to anybody looking for a career and a great place to start.”
–Critical & Mixed
“Like any rate, PC has its downsides. Long hours, time away from family, and Navy bureaucracy are real.”
“I will be happy to be an LS, but I will miss being a PC.”
“Great for single people who want to travel the world, not so great for families. Too much time away for not much pay, and hard to transition back to civilian life. Eventually the rate was merged into Logistics Specialist, and many postal clerks felt their unique identity was lost.”
Recruiter vs Reality
What the recruiter says vs. what it's actually like.
🫡 Recruiter says
“The PC rate offers great training and career advancement opportunities!”
💀 Reality
Source: MyNavyRates researchTraining and advancement are available but vary by command and manning. Ask specific questions about sea/shore rotation, typical duty stations, and advancement rates for PC.
🫡 Recruiter says
“You'll run a post office and help Sailors stay connected to their families.”
💀 Reality
You run a tiny mail room on a ship, sorting thousands of pieces of mail. When mail doesn't arrive on time, you're the one 5,000 angry Sailors blame, even though you have zero control over the logistics chain.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Postal Clerk is a unique niche rate with a specialized mission.”
💀 Reality
The PC rate merged into Logistics Specialist (LS) in 2009. Your postal duties are one piece of a broader logistics role that includes supply chain management, inventory, and warehousing.
🫡 Recruiter says
“It's a great job for someone who wants stability and predictable work.”
💀 Reality
Mail doesn't stop for holidays, weekends, or port calls. When the ship pulls in and everyone heads to liberty, you might be processing mail that just arrived.
🫡 Recruiter says
“You'll sort mail and packages — it's straightforward and low-stress.”
💀 Reality
You're personally accountable for registered mail, customs declarations, and financial instruments. A single lost registered letter can result in a formal investigation. The liability is real.
🫡 Recruiter says
“Being a Postal Clerk means you're the morale boost of the ship — everyone loves mail day.”
💀 Reality
Everyone loves you on mail day and hates you when mail is late, lost, or damaged — none of which are usually your fault. You become the face of a system you don't control.
Training Pipeline — Total ~12 weeks (3 months)
Ship Date Calculator
Enter your MEPS ship date to see when you'll complete each stage.
Promotion SpeedEarn higher pay fasterSlowManning 89% (E-5/E-6)
| Cycle (Year) | Eligible | Selected | Promotion % |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-4252-Spring(2024) | 57 | 23 | 40% |
| E-4252-Fall(2024) | 244 | 43 | 18% |
| E-5252-Spring(2024) | 73 | 40 | 55% |
| E-5252-Fall(2024) | 188 | 50 | 27% |
| E-6252-Spring(2024) | 82 | 24 | 29% |
| E-6252-Fall(2024) | 128 | 24 | 19% |
Bonuses — Click here to see your military pay
Enlistment Bonus
No active bonus for this rate
You May Qualify for a Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC)
Specialties within this rate you can select, some with additional compensation. Each NEC has its own training, bonus potential, and career path.
Primary specialty code for Postal Clerk rating
Advanced specialty code for experienced Postal Clerk personnel
Potential Civilian Post-Navy Outcomes
Mail Clerk
Transferability: 5/10
$30k–$42k
Lifestyle5/10
Ship vs. Shore Split
55% / 45%
Deployment Frequency
Moderate
Physical Demand
low — indoor
Watch Standing
Standard shore hours, CDO/DCPO rotation when assigned
Watch standing is a 24-hour duty rotation where sailors take turns manning critical positions aboard the ship or at their command. The rotation determines how frequently you stand watch and how much rest time you get between shifts.
Watch qualifications vary by command and platform. Expect to qualify within 90 days of reporting.
Common Duty Stations
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Schools + spouse jobs
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Avg waitlist for on-base
95
100 = national avg
—
Schools + spouse jobs
—
Avg waitlist for on-base
135
100 = national avg
—
Schools + spouse jobs
—
Avg waitlist for on-base
92
100 = national avg