How to Email a Military Pen Pal

Before the days of the Internet, sending letters and care packages to the armed forces was an arduous and time-consuming task. Now, with the speed of the World Wide Web, it's easy to correspond with troops halfway around the world in a matter of minutes. Whether you just want to send a thank you note or become a full-fledged pen pal, emailing military personnel is easy to do and much appreciated. Read on to learn how to email a military pen pal.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Pick a branch of the military you want your pen pal from. If you have a preference, you can go to their specific site. The U.S. Army website has a forum called Ask A Soldier, where you can speak with a number of enlisted soldiers, find out their email and begin correspondence. The other branches have similar forums.
2. Consider your intent. If you're single and looking to possibly date a military member, join a site like Army Singles. Membership at this website is free.
3. Join other sites such as Forces PenPals for more casual emails. This website is also free and civilians of all types are encouraged to join.
4. Read the rules. Each site has its own set of rules for emailing soldiers. Consult these lists before you begin conversing with your pen pal.
5. Learn how to talk to your service member. The site Girl Posse has a pretty exhaustive list of things to keep in mind when you finally acquire your military pen pal.