personnel eligible to use them; however, the packet shall neither contain information on
revenue producing items or events nor violate other parts of this Manual. A revenue
producing item or event is one where the recipient or participant pays for all or part of
the cost of the service or goods received. The category of the organization providing
the goods or service is immaterial.
C1.3.8.2. Appropriated fund postage shall not be used to mail personal
correspondence. Individuals converting appropriated funds to their personal use, or the
use of another person, may be charged under 18 U.S. Code 641 (reference (c)). The
"or the use of another" applies to personnel making or authorizing policy. When this
Manual was written, Section 641 read as follows: "Whoever embezzles, steals, purloins,
or knowingly converts to his use or the use of another, or without authority, sells,
conveys or disposes of any record, voucher, money, or thing of value of the United
States or of any Department or Agency thereof, or any property made or being made
under contract for the United States or any Department or Agency thereof; or whoever
receives, conceals, or retains the same with intent to convert it to his use or gain,
knowing it to have been embezzled, stolen, purloined or converted -- shall be fined
under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; but if the value of such
property does not exceed the sum of $1000, he shall be fined under this title or
imprisoned not more than one year, or both. The word 'value' means face, par, or
market value, or cost price, either wholesale or retail, whichever is greater."
C1.3.9. By prisoners in a non-pay status for personal mail per DoD Component
directives.
C1.3.10. Official announcements of official retirement, promotion, award,
change-of-command, and ship commissioning or decommissioning ceremonies. The
location and time of a directly related reception may be noted if it does not result in any
increase in cost to the Government, and the notation does not include advertisement for
or endorsement of any enterprise.
C1.3.11. Items associated with tax filing programs established by DoD Components
under 10 U.S.C. 1044 (reference (h)).
C1.3.12. Information that would otherwise be unofficial may be included in official
command publications such as daily, weekly, housing, and family support group-type
bulletins/newsletters when the local commander determines its dissemination will
contribute to morale or esprit de corps. Such information may be included only if it is
not otherwise prohibited by this manual, it does not exceed 20 percent of the printed
space used for the official information, there will be no increase in cost to the
Government, and it does not include personal wanted/for sale advertisements.
DoD 4525.8-M, Dec. 26, 2001
18 CHAPTER 1