What must mail handling personnel do before receiving mail?

Mail handling personnel must present their DD Form 285 before receiving mail because this form serves as an authorization for access to official military information and provides verification of their identity and clearance level. It is especially important in secure environments where sensitive or classified materials are handled. By having the DD Form 285, personnel confirm that they have the necessary permissions and training to deal with the mail appropriately, thus ensuring the security and integrity of the mail handling process.

In many cases, other forms of identification may not carry the same implications for access to sensitive materials, and filling out a delivery form or notifying a supervisor, while potentially necessary in other contexts, does not specifically address access privileges in the same way that the DD Form 285 does.