Posted on Jul 15, 2015
Who remembers standing in formation for mail call? Does the military still conduct mail call?
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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
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Edited 4 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 377
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Mail call,we had in basic, our DI,would call out names. If you didn't respond you got no mail.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding SSgt Max Gonzales. Thanks for reminding us who had mail call [and notifying those who didn't] that those who didn't respond when their name was called in Mail Call formation did not receive their mail. It was returned to the mail room until the next mail formation. Whining tended not to help :-)
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.
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.
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Last time I had mail call was in basic training in ‘66. After that we always had a PO Box. I do remember the anticipation.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding MSgt Thelbert (Whitey) Roark that the last time you had a Mail Call was when you were going through USAF Basic training in 1966.
I certainly concur with you about anticipation for mail. It was very lonely when we didn't receive any mail. Of course receiving a care package sometimes meant mandatory sharing :-)
BTW Where did you go through basic training?
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.
I certainly concur with you about anticipation for mail. It was very lonely when we didn't receive any mail. Of course receiving a care package sometimes meant mandatory sharing :-)
BTW Where did you go through basic training?
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.
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MSgt Thelbert (Whitey) Roark
Lackland AFB. Started on Labor Day weekend. We drilled in civvies for three days because the supply warehouse was closed and we couldn't get issued uniforms.
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MSgt Thelbert (Whitey) Roark
Very little laughing going on, at least in our ranks. The TI had us scared spitless. I'm sure anyone else that saw us got a laugh though. I still remember how much my feet hurt after three days of drill and PT wearing penny loafers.
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During my buck sergeant years in the 206th Signal Company, I served as the unit mail clerk when necessary. I became the most favorite GI in the company.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding SFC Greg Bruorton that during your buck sergeant years in the 206th Signal Company you served as the unit mail clerk when necessary. I am not surprised that additional duty made you a favorite in the company :-)
FYI SSG Diane R.LTC John GriscomSPC Andrew RossBrig Gen Jim JaegerSSG Donald H "Don" BatesSP5 Jerry MuchaSP6: Roy WiltSGT John MeredithMSgt John McGowanMSgt David M.LTC Jeff ShearerSGT Philip RoncariCPT Jim GallagherLt Col Jim Coe CWO3 Dennis M.SGT (Join to see)PO3 Bob McCord 1SG John MillanSSgt Boyd Herrst
FYI SSG Diane R.LTC John GriscomSPC Andrew RossBrig Gen Jim JaegerSSG Donald H "Don" BatesSP5 Jerry MuchaSP6: Roy WiltSGT John MeredithMSgt John McGowanMSgt David M.LTC Jeff ShearerSGT Philip RoncariCPT Jim GallagherLt Col Jim Coe CWO3 Dennis M.SGT (Join to see)PO3 Bob McCord 1SG John MillanSSgt Boyd Herrst
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When at Fort Lee for an advanced field train’g course we got mail when the pipeline students did.. at a Mail call.. the clerk pass’g it out got a thrill pass’g it out.
He would get all the letters n pkgs in order and s’times go reverse alphabetical
If a lot of pkgs, come after mailcall and get your pkg.? He had a list and called from that. Abbott, J.T., Amn Nothing,
Nothing and nothing , Biggs; 2 letters,
Calligon 3 letters and a pkg, see me after
To get your pkg and on and on.. We had guys that consistently got nothing.. a few just quit coming.. pay checks? Report to 1SGT.. I was TDY, I had sure pay..! I did get a leave/earn’g statement.. One day the clerk posted a notice.. All Personnel will report for Mail call, NO Exceptions !
He loved digging on the guys w/o letters..
What it was... he hated having to take Mail back to the orderly em.. He typed the letter and got the Cmdr to sign it. As per the cross. If only one pkg he’ brought it out and a AMN
Didn’t show .. he hatred hauling it back..
Another reason for e’body being at Mail call was an important letter from Unk Sam. One day he had important letters
From Sam and two guys were not there..
poor guy had to haul the two letters..and a package back to the orderly em. Nothing worse than being told no Mail. I didn’t care.. I wanted to see who else got no mail.. I was 18 and all I could get was near beer if I ordered.. a couple of us go over to the beer shack .. i’d Go in and get a ginger ale One of the other guys would buy a big pitcher..I’d guzzle my ginger ale down and refill with beer.. yellow like beer.. no prob.. within a half hour the place be full, the bar gals were busy..
I’d contribute a couple more bills and Marty go get some more.. Some Army SSGT be wandering around an look’g people over pretty seriously.. I was TDY an A1C and not one of the Pipeline students.. I fidn’t Have no leadership rope either.. SSGT was watching the students..
i’d Had enough and got out of there getting rid of my cup, smashing it as I went and shov’g it down in the can. I seen the SSGT coming but stopped at a table of some Army Cooks I knew.. Them guys were permanent party.. go f** k with the students.... geez! I got outta there and went to the CharlieCo. Mess Hall.. chewing on some gum.. I got there with 10 minutes to spare.. there was still plenty
To get.. The Pfc gave me a good serv’g of e’thing; Swissed processed pressed Steak. Smashed potatoes and a dished of green beans.. “Can I have 2, you’re closing in a few minutes.” The Spc4 said sure.. so I got another and went and got some beverage.. . A few minutes later they started pulling pans off the line..
Daggum, that was close !... I got eating and finished up..and grabbed my ice cream sandwich and got out of there..
A SSGT was standing by the door look’g for food going out.. he turned and caught some Pvt with a Sandwich.. it had a bite or two gone and he let him go.. I got my ice creams out.. They were rock hard.. I got
Back to my room and gave one to the door guard.. I had the other with a bite out of it.. I went to my room and got ready to get a shower.. it was Friday night
Time to howl.. See what’s at the movie?..
Ma & Pa kettle go to Hollywood.. hmm..
Special feature at theater II.. Godzilla Eats Hollywood .. never was into Godzilla movies... Petersburg never had much..
Go to D.C.? Hmm see who else wants to go.. So much for the weekend !
He would get all the letters n pkgs in order and s’times go reverse alphabetical
If a lot of pkgs, come after mailcall and get your pkg.? He had a list and called from that. Abbott, J.T., Amn Nothing,
Nothing and nothing , Biggs; 2 letters,
Calligon 3 letters and a pkg, see me after
To get your pkg and on and on.. We had guys that consistently got nothing.. a few just quit coming.. pay checks? Report to 1SGT.. I was TDY, I had sure pay..! I did get a leave/earn’g statement.. One day the clerk posted a notice.. All Personnel will report for Mail call, NO Exceptions !
He loved digging on the guys w/o letters..
What it was... he hated having to take Mail back to the orderly em.. He typed the letter and got the Cmdr to sign it. As per the cross. If only one pkg he’ brought it out and a AMN
Didn’t show .. he hatred hauling it back..
Another reason for e’body being at Mail call was an important letter from Unk Sam. One day he had important letters
From Sam and two guys were not there..
poor guy had to haul the two letters..and a package back to the orderly em. Nothing worse than being told no Mail. I didn’t care.. I wanted to see who else got no mail.. I was 18 and all I could get was near beer if I ordered.. a couple of us go over to the beer shack .. i’d Go in and get a ginger ale One of the other guys would buy a big pitcher..I’d guzzle my ginger ale down and refill with beer.. yellow like beer.. no prob.. within a half hour the place be full, the bar gals were busy..
I’d contribute a couple more bills and Marty go get some more.. Some Army SSGT be wandering around an look’g people over pretty seriously.. I was TDY an A1C and not one of the Pipeline students.. I fidn’t Have no leadership rope either.. SSGT was watching the students..
i’d Had enough and got out of there getting rid of my cup, smashing it as I went and shov’g it down in the can. I seen the SSGT coming but stopped at a table of some Army Cooks I knew.. Them guys were permanent party.. go f** k with the students.... geez! I got outta there and went to the CharlieCo. Mess Hall.. chewing on some gum.. I got there with 10 minutes to spare.. there was still plenty
To get.. The Pfc gave me a good serv’g of e’thing; Swissed processed pressed Steak. Smashed potatoes and a dished of green beans.. “Can I have 2, you’re closing in a few minutes.” The Spc4 said sure.. so I got another and went and got some beverage.. . A few minutes later they started pulling pans off the line..
Daggum, that was close !... I got eating and finished up..and grabbed my ice cream sandwich and got out of there..
A SSGT was standing by the door look’g for food going out.. he turned and caught some Pvt with a Sandwich.. it had a bite or two gone and he let him go.. I got my ice creams out.. They were rock hard.. I got
Back to my room and gave one to the door guard.. I had the other with a bite out of it.. I went to my room and got ready to get a shower.. it was Friday night
Time to howl.. See what’s at the movie?..
Ma & Pa kettle go to Hollywood.. hmm..
Special feature at theater II.. Godzilla Eats Hollywood .. never was into Godzilla movies... Petersburg never had much..
Go to D.C.? Hmm see who else wants to go.. So much for the weekend !
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding my friend SSgt Boyd Herrst and sharing your memories of hope rewarded when mail received and hopes dashed when no mail is received day after day.
Thanks as well for sharing your memories of life as an 18 year old at Fort lee and the never-ending search to eat as a young man.
I went to BCT and 12B AIT at Fort Leonard Wood and we could drink beer on post at the Enlisted Man clubs in 1974. In 1975 at Fort Campbell, there were dining facilities that served fast food until about 2200 with meal card being the only requirement to enter. After eating at the company dining facility, I would walk or sometimes get a ride to the Infantry Brigade that had the dining facility open till later. I ate burgers, fries to my heart's content :-)
FYI LCpl Emanuel W.SSG Diane R.LTC John GriscomSPC Andrew RossBrig Gen Jim JaegerSSG Donald H "Don" BatesSP5 Jerry MuchaSP6: Roy WiltSGT John MeredithMSgt John McGowanMSgt David M.LTC Jeff ShearerSGT Philip RoncariCPT Jim GallagherLt Col Jim Coe CWO3 Dennis M.SGT (Join to see)PO3 Bob McCord 1SG John Millan
Thanks as well for sharing your memories of life as an 18 year old at Fort lee and the never-ending search to eat as a young man.
I went to BCT and 12B AIT at Fort Leonard Wood and we could drink beer on post at the Enlisted Man clubs in 1974. In 1975 at Fort Campbell, there were dining facilities that served fast food until about 2200 with meal card being the only requirement to enter. After eating at the company dining facility, I would walk or sometimes get a ride to the Infantry Brigade that had the dining facility open till later. I ate burgers, fries to my heart's content :-)
FYI LCpl Emanuel W.SSG Diane R.LTC John GriscomSPC Andrew RossBrig Gen Jim JaegerSSG Donald H "Don" BatesSP5 Jerry MuchaSP6: Roy WiltSGT John MeredithMSgt John McGowanMSgt David M.LTC Jeff ShearerSGT Philip RoncariCPT Jim GallagherLt Col Jim Coe CWO3 Dennis M.SGT (Join to see)PO3 Bob McCord 1SG John Millan
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
Yes LTCol Stephen Ford there were a lot more choices in later years...
there were those assembly line sandwiches at the px .. it was easier. Taking a chance to make it to the Mess facility and just sign for a meal that was more filling and economical seemed a better deal..
there were those assembly line sandwiches at the px .. it was easier. Taking a chance to make it to the Mess facility and just sign for a meal that was more filling and economical seemed a better deal..
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RTC was the only place we had an actual mail call. On Ships, we had a Mail Petty Officer who collected all the mail fro the Division and delivered it to us. At shore stations, we also had a Mail PO, but we usually got our mail at work since many of us lived off base.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding CMDCM Gene Treants that thee only place you had an actual mail call was in boot camp in the Recruit Training Command.
Thanks as well for letting us know that a Mail Petty Officer:
1. [ship] collected all the mail for the Division and delivered it to each sailor on board ships.
2. [shore] sometimes collected mail for sailors but usually you received mail at work since many of you lived off base.
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
Thanks as well for letting us know that a Mail Petty Officer:
1. [ship] collected all the mail for the Division and delivered it to each sailor on board ships.
2. [shore] sometimes collected mail for sailors but usually you received mail at work since many of you lived off base.
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
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In Basic we had stood formation for Mail Call, after that, I was in the 1st CAV, we had a mail room, with mail boxes.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding SGT Steven Ransbottom. In BCT and 12B AIT at Fort Leonard Wood we also had mail call in formation.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi LTC (Join to see) LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Jeff S. CPT Jack Durish MSgt Robert C Aldi SFC Stephen King MSgt Danny Hope SGT Gregory Lawritson Cpl Craig Marton SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi LTC (Join to see) LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Jeff S. CPT Jack Durish MSgt Robert C Aldi SFC Stephen King MSgt Danny Hope SGT Gregory Lawritson Cpl Craig Marton SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan
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When I got out to the fleet and met my first ship in Yokosuka Japan, mail was sent to the division which sorted it by work center. My shipmates would get excited to get mail we had a designated mail clerk who would pass out the mail. I would never get any, my family really didn't miss me and rarely sent any letters, if I did receive any it was to announce a wedding for one of my three sisters, I know they were thinking I'd send some money to them as a gift. Mail call was a lonely affair for me, so I decided to buy a 35mm camera and take up photography, I would shoot a lot of film and send it out to be developed so when mail call happened I'd have something to look forward to.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding PO1 Jeffrey Pennala. I am sorry to learn that your family really didn't miss me and they rarely sent any letters. I am glad at least they sent the wedding announcement of your sister.
I also took up photographing and took my 35mm wherever I could.
I hope that taking photographs helped you while you were deployed.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi LTC (Join to see) Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Jeff S. CPT Jack Durish MSgt Robert C Aldi SFC Stephen King MSgt Danny Hope SGT Gregory Lawritson Cpl Craig Marton SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan PO1 John Miller PO3 Steven Sherrill
I also took up photographing and took my 35mm wherever I could.
I hope that taking photographs helped you while you were deployed.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi LTC (Join to see) Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Jeff S. CPT Jack Durish MSgt Robert C Aldi SFC Stephen King MSgt Danny Hope SGT Gregory Lawritson Cpl Craig Marton SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan PO1 John Miller PO3 Steven Sherrill
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PO1 Jeffrey Pennala
LTC Stephen F. Thank you for the kind words, at first my photos were not so good, some were salvageable with the right cropping. I got better with each roll, you were always going to waste some shots hoping to catch the shot at the right time, but with practice you get better. I would send each roll of film out one at a time to increase the chances of mail at mail call. I was on the USS Midway CV-41 at the time, got some great photos climbing Mt. Fuji from the side opposite the regular tourist trail, and some great ones of flight ops from "buzzards row".
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I had mail call in Basic and AIT, 1986. After that, we had a much less formal mail call when I was in Afghanistan and Iraq (2011 and 2009 respectively) - no standing in formation, etc. Just someone (usually a group of folks) would go stand around the mail room, the mail for our organization would be put out on a pallet, and we'd all go through and grab boxes and take them to our AO and distribute to the addressees.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding SFC (Join to see) that you had mail call in formations in Basic Training and AIT, 1986.
I am not surprised that much less formal mail call when you were deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq (2011 and 2009 respectively).
I expect you fellow soldiers were trustworthy you all went through and grabbed boxes and took them to our AO and distribute to the addressees.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright
I am not surprised that much less formal mail call when you were deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq (2011 and 2009 respectively).
I expect you fellow soldiers were trustworthy you all went through and grabbed boxes and took them to our AO and distribute to the addressees.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright
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SFC (Join to see)
LTC Stephen F. - That reminds me: In basic, if we got a goody box/care package, we had to share... So I always told my wife (fiancee at the time) Shirley, that if she was going to send any goodies, it had to be enough for a platoon of 40 or so boots! Sometimes, we had to read aloud the letters we got from mom or dad or siblings - but you could decline and do pushups (I think 20 was the charge to not read aloud) - but they never made us read the ones from our girl friends/fiancees/wives!
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I like this comedic version of mail call which is not as tough as it was in 1994 but the verbal outbursts were there.
https://youtu.be/S3gwQv_53bY
https://youtu.be/S3gwQv_53bY
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LTC Stephen F.
Belated thank you, my friend LTC (Join to see) for responding so long ago and posting Mail Call part 3:-)
FYI MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SSG Stephen Rogerson SFC (Join to see) Sgt Jim Belanus SGT Jim Arnold SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Cynthia Croft SPC Margaret HigginsLTJG Robert M. SSG Robert Mark Odom SMSgt Lawrence McCarter GySgt Thomas Vick
FYI MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SSG Stephen Rogerson SFC (Join to see) Sgt Jim Belanus SGT Jim Arnold SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Cynthia Croft SPC Margaret HigginsLTJG Robert M. SSG Robert Mark Odom SMSgt Lawrence McCarter GySgt Thomas Vick
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Mail call in Boot camp 1978 & OCS 1990. Anticipation was the biggest emotion. If your name was called, joy & if not disappointment.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding LTJG Robert M. with a USCG perspective which mirrors responses from each of the other military services.
Joy for good news or a perfumed letter and disappointment for bad news - Dear John's were devastating for the one who received it and demoralizing for his friends.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen COL Jean (John) F. B. COL Charles Williams PO1 William "Chip" Nagel PO1 John Miller LTC Stephen C. Maj Marty Hogan SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SFC George Smith Alan K. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski Capt Dwayne Conyers
Joy for good news or a perfumed letter and disappointment for bad news - Dear John's were devastating for the one who received it and demoralizing for his friends.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen COL Jean (John) F. B. COL Charles Williams PO1 William "Chip" Nagel PO1 John Miller LTC Stephen C. Maj Marty Hogan SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SFC George Smith Alan K. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski Capt Dwayne Conyers
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SFC Greg Bruorton
I loved those perfumed letters and the red kiss on the back of the envelope with SWAK.
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