Posted on Jul 15, 2015
Who remembers standing in formation for mail call? Does the military still conduct mail call?
235K
8.9K
1.29K
632
632
0
I was recently reminded me of the importance and significance of mail call especially in the days before email, cell phones and texting existed in the 1950's 1960's, 1970's and I think through the 1980's. Waiting with anticipation in formation as a young enlisted man in sun, snow, rain or wind for mail call. The weather was much less important than hearing the names of friends called out to get mail and then hearing my own name which was wonderful. Going back to the barracks to smell envelopes from girl friends, read the letters on my bunk.
Later as a cadet at West Point one of the duties of the freshman class known as plebes was to distribute the mail to the upper classmen. It was a very important function and seemed to release a sense of common humanity and a brief period of humane treatment.
After I was commissioned in 1980, my mail was delivered to me except when we were away from home station when we would have mail call or else wait until the operation was over and then mail would be distributed.
Images: mail call wingen 70th ID WWII; Korean War early afternoon mail call brought these Thunderbirds in the 279th Infantry; Mail call! Pfc Glen Zachery of the 19th Army Postal Unit brings a sack of mail to the
Later as a cadet at West Point one of the duties of the freshman class known as plebes was to distribute the mail to the upper classmen. It was a very important function and seemed to release a sense of common humanity and a brief period of humane treatment.
After I was commissioned in 1980, my mail was delivered to me except when we were away from home station when we would have mail call or else wait until the operation was over and then mail would be distributed.
Images: mail call wingen 70th ID WWII; Korean War early afternoon mail call brought these Thunderbirds in the 279th Infantry; Mail call! Pfc Glen Zachery of the 19th Army Postal Unit brings a sack of mail to the
Communications
Military History
Troops
Edited 4 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 377
29
29
0
I remember one horrible mail call in basic training. We were cleaning our weapons after coming back from the range and while doing that we had mail call. My name was called and it was a package! But when I went up there, the drill sargeant made me open it in front of him in case it was contraband.
It wasn't contraband. It was delicious-looking homemade chocolate-chip cookies from my grandmother. She had been a mom during World War II and knew how to take care of boys in the service.
But the drill sargeant wouldn't let me eat one and I had to leave the box on the table while I finished cleaning my weapon. When I finally finished and brought my weapon up for inspection, it passed and I took the box. But it was empty! Every single cookie my grandmother had made for me had been eaten by someone else. I was a very sad trainee that night in my bunk. I wouldn't had minded sharing but I would have liked to eaten at least one.
It wasn't contraband. It was delicious-looking homemade chocolate-chip cookies from my grandmother. She had been a mom during World War II and knew how to take care of boys in the service.
But the drill sargeant wouldn't let me eat one and I had to leave the box on the table while I finished cleaning my weapon. When I finally finished and brought my weapon up for inspection, it passed and I took the box. But it was empty! Every single cookie my grandmother had made for me had been eaten by someone else. I was a very sad trainee that night in my bunk. I wouldn't had minded sharing but I would have liked to eaten at least one.
(29)
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
FYI PO1 Robert GeorgeSGT John Melvin COL Mikel J. Burroughs Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown LTC Greg Henning LTC Jeff Shearer Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan CPT Scott Sharon CWO3 Dennis M. SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG William Jones SGT (Join to see) SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski PO1 H Gene Lawrence PO2 Kevin Parker PO3 Bob McCord
(6)
(0)
SPC David Roberts
Yes, I'm pretty sure that's what happened, although I'd like to think they gave a cookie to each trainee whose weapon passed inspection until they all ran out.
(9)
(0)
SGT James Searle
Being deprived of goodies explicitly (and exclusively) meant for your enjoyment is not only sad but also very short-sighted: Why would even the most inexperienced member of a training cadre think that that would be good for a recruit's morale?
(0)
(0)
29
29
0
LTC Stephen F. You knew my answer would be yes, but when I went to Europe we just picked it up and delivered it to other peoples area of operation on the AFB. I really don't think they do it anymore. We didn't do it in the sandbox either; we just put in the sections box at the distribution center within our Big Tent!
(29)
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs, I also have hit my upper limit of up-votes for the day. I am not sure if I need to be more discriminating or if RallyPoint needs to bump up the daily allotment - I think it is the latter :-)
(10)
(0)
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
LTC Stephen F. I think they need to add more for those of us that read all the discussions and are very polite and respond with an Up Vote if we enjoyed the discussion back and forth. Just Saying!
LTC Yinon Weiss my good sir and CEO, are there any plans to increase the number of "Votes Up" in the near future? Us old guys who hang out here all day are running short everyday and then trying to play catch up the next day in order to provide votes to those young mean and women out there that are sending in awesome discussions and long threads going back and forth. What say you MAJ Weiss?
LTC Yinon Weiss my good sir and CEO, are there any plans to increase the number of "Votes Up" in the near future? Us old guys who hang out here all day are running short everyday and then trying to play catch up the next day in order to provide votes to those young mean and women out there that are sending in awesome discussions and long threads going back and forth. What say you MAJ Weiss?
(10)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
COL Mikel J. Burroughs We had mail call in BCT, AIT, and stateside. We had a mailroom in Germany.
(4)
(0)
SGT James Searle
PO3 Bob McCord - Thanks for using "FNG"; it's been almost fifty years since I've heard anyone use that abbreviation (which means that, like you, I ain't no FNG either).
(3)
(0)
25
25
0
Well technically never experienced this, but know the feeling. During Vietnam had a PO Box so checked every day and fortunately my new wife sent letters daily. Later when stationed in Turkey, still had a PO Box but mail only arrived once or twice a week, so everyone checked on the day mail came in. Always good to get mail, even if it was a few days/weeks worth.
(25)
(0)
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Ya, remember a few folks getting those "Dear John" letters. Actually those letters were better than returning home to a cleared out base house, which I also saw.
(2)
(0)
SFC Greg Bruorton
My last letter from wife#1, while stationed with the Special Security Office in the 2nd Infantry (Tong du Chon) was one that sent me toward a terrible drunk. When I got Stateside I told her, "In the morning we're going downtown to see an attorney. It's divorce time."
I decided not to shoot her.
I decided not to shoot her.
(5)
(0)
25
25
0
SPC Leland Keller
Summer of 1988 the hottest year on record at the time triple digits with 100 percent humidity! yuck I'm from the central valley of California where it get into the triple digits but no humidity.
(3)
(0)
SPC Leland Keller
Right after mail call formation at A577 AIT the Alphagators as we were once called. Now I understand the company is gone and C 2-10 has moved from were they were once based at on Ft Lost in the Woods my old basic training company. Photos are with the old steel pots like my dad had in during his time in the army in the Korean War or "Conflict" like he use to say the politicians used to say about it. Made me proud to serve at the time because of the connection the pots had.
(2)
(0)
25
25
0
I remember it well from Basic in 1973. I got kidded a lot as I got a letter every day from my wife who was living with my parents until I got done. On the rare day when I didn't get a letter from her, or Mom & Dad or my Sister I would get several the next day. Only thing is, I was the "Trainee Field First" (anybody remember those?) and wore the armband of an E-7 and the DI's had me do Mail Call.
(25)
(0)
CSM Charles Hayden
MSG Ray Manzano Ah, those company photographs! After a few years, you are fortunate to recognize yourself!!
(7)
(0)
SGT Kevin Hughes
I was "Trainee Squad Leader" So I picked up the mail for my squad. Even at my permanent party post in 1970 - we still had mail call. In 1975 - only in the Field. Back in the barracks you got your own little box - unlocked and open to all to see.
(5)
(0)
(2)
(0)
24
24
0
I'm a loser, no one ever wrote to me! But then again, spooks don't have many friends... lol... and if I didn't call my mom regularly she sent out the Sheriffs Dept to do a welfare check. So no fun memory letters for me. :(
(24)
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
I am sorry that nobody ever wrote to SFC (Join to see). You may have something in common with a fellow spook PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
FYI SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL TSgt Joe C. SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas
FYI SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL TSgt Joe C. SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas
(7)
(0)
SSG Phillip Hoffeld
We had a nerd in BCT that no one ever wrote to. He and I ended up going to AIT at Ft Devens, MA together. He was a "spook" and I did EW. They were MOS 96 series when I was in.
(4)
(0)
24
24
0
I was on subs. Mail call was finding your mail buried under the paperwork you needed to do your job. I found letters a couple of months old a few times.
(24)
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
That must have been frustrating and disappointing to get mail months after it was "delivered" CPO Joseph Grant.
(8)
(0)
23
23
0
LTC Stephen F. I was the postal clerk on a destroyer for a while, mail call is a big morale booster.
(23)
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend SCPO Morris Ramsey for letting us know that you were a postal clerk on a destroyer for a while. I expect that being a postal clerk was indeed a morale booster on board ship.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Gabriel F. Cpl Scott McCarroll
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Gabriel F. Cpl Scott McCarroll
(8)
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for sharing another piece of your background, my friend PO3 Bob McCord. I am glad that you and your wife Bonnie still get a Christmas card from him every year. I expect he had a follow-on career in the US Post Office.
FYI PO2 Jeremy Spears PO2 Lester Sullivan CPO Nate S.PO3 Shaun Taylor LTJG Josh ThaxtonCMDCM Gene Treants SN Alex TufailPO3 John WagnerPO2 (Join to see)PO3 (Join to see) CPO (Join to see)
LCDR (Join to see) SCPO Del WolvertonFN George WoodruffSN Greg WrightCMC Robert YoungPO2 Tim ZemanSN Ron JettPO3 Bob McCord
FYI PO2 Jeremy Spears PO2 Lester Sullivan CPO Nate S.PO3 Shaun Taylor LTJG Josh ThaxtonCMDCM Gene Treants SN Alex TufailPO3 John WagnerPO2 (Join to see)PO3 (Join to see) CPO (Join to see)
LCDR (Join to see) SCPO Del WolvertonFN George WoodruffSN Greg WrightCMC Robert YoungPO2 Tim ZemanSN Ron JettPO3 Bob McCord
(8)
(0)
CPO Nate S.
PC's next to Corpsman and Chaplains the best Mental Health people I know. I remember one young sailor had not gotten mail in sometime. He was very close his mom. Come to find out his sister was in an accident and his mom wanted to make sure she would be OK before writing him. He husband (his father) has come in tail end of WWII and was in Korea.
Anyway, turns out his sister only sustained a broken leg and she would fine. It had been three weeks since he got mail and we had been at sea for about 18 days. We had a chopper fly out and we got mail the day before we pulled into port. He came to sick bay to chat that evening. We spoke about 3 hrs. His mom sent him a package with cookies, etc. and a 25 page hand printed letter.
Once we got pier side he did not have the watch until day three so he got permission to be one of the 1st off the ship. He called him mom and was able to speak to his sister who was home by then. Though a good sailor, I could tell something was wrong before mail call ha occurred.
The PCs I worked with were great!!! Sometimes they helped me watch out for guys who had not gotten mail, who usually got mail. But, in the case mentioned the guy told me later that he thought his mom had died and no one told him. But, that was not the case and his mom was fine.
Postal Clerk's - ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, turns out his sister only sustained a broken leg and she would fine. It had been three weeks since he got mail and we had been at sea for about 18 days. We had a chopper fly out and we got mail the day before we pulled into port. He came to sick bay to chat that evening. We spoke about 3 hrs. His mom sent him a package with cookies, etc. and a 25 page hand printed letter.
Once we got pier side he did not have the watch until day three so he got permission to be one of the 1st off the ship. He called him mom and was able to speak to his sister who was home by then. Though a good sailor, I could tell something was wrong before mail call ha occurred.
The PCs I worked with were great!!! Sometimes they helped me watch out for guys who had not gotten mail, who usually got mail. But, in the case mentioned the guy told me later that he thought his mom had died and no one told him. But, that was not the case and his mom was fine.
Postal Clerk's - ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
(0)
(4)
(0)
20
20
0
I don't remember Mail Call ever having a line, it was just a bunch of guys in a Cluster F!!K. Name was called, someone said here, and the mail just thrown in that direction, except the packages.
(20)
(0)
(2)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
Sing-A-Long Old man look at my life, I'm a lot like you were. Old man look at my life, I'm a lot like you were. Old man look at my life, Twenty four and ther...
(2)
(0)
SFC Greg Bruorton
SGT (Join to see) - Nope, not by Neil Young but by Greg Bruorton on the spur of the moment.
(3)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
SFC Greg Bruorton - One day I read up on, Greg Bruorton, sad he had a not so good ending.
(2)
(0)
20
20
0
LTC Stephen F. I remember it Sir. I believe everyone now pretty much has a mail box at the barracks unless they are in Korea. I am pretty sure they still do the unit mail rooms.
(20)
(0)
Sgt (Join to see)
I also remember it Sir. It was an important lifeline to loved one's that we looked forward to with much anticipation.
(10)
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend Sgt (Join to see) for responding so long ago and making us aware that for you, like many others, mail call was an 'important lifeline to loved one's that we looked forward to with much anticipation." I hope you are doing well. Our friend 1SG Walter Craig was trying to find posts by you.
FYI SGT Robert Pryor SGT Michael Hearn SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D SPC Randy Zimmerman TSgt David L.Sgt Jay Jones MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi SMSgt Lawrence McCarter GySgt Thomas Vick PO2 (Join to see) SPC Margaret Higgins SPC Nancy Greene SGT Denny Espinosa PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC (Join to see) Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D.
FYI SGT Robert Pryor SGT Michael Hearn SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D SPC Randy Zimmerman TSgt David L.Sgt Jay Jones MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi SMSgt Lawrence McCarter GySgt Thomas Vick PO2 (Join to see) SPC Margaret Higgins SPC Nancy Greene SGT Denny Espinosa PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC (Join to see) Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D.
(10)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google