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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Presumably, mail call is still conducted in an initial training environment. While deployed, an informal version was not uncommon for persons not out on mission when LOGPAC came in...
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
I was TDY out of McGuire AFB to Fort Lee, Va. I had sure-pay ... I was at Ft. Lee 5 weeks for an advanced Field Baker Course.. The wing needed one more to go so I got on the list.. it’d be neat, a month at Ft. Lee, back to McGuire AFB for a month and process out for PCS to Viet Nam.. “But A1C Herrst your AFSC is 622 (Cook)!” “ And If you look at Food Service Manual I can also fill a baker slot. Oh yeah, look in my jacket, you’ll see I did the books for baker(back in them days Cook and baker were separate AFSCs.. ). Remember back a few months I filled that baker slot while
SSGT Golden was in the hospital, and Sgt Schmidt took Golden’s slot and the other 2 guys moved over a slot each.. and them flaky biscuits.. ? I did those.. The German chocolate cake? That was me.. ( I came in day before, made the pecan frosting .. went back and slept and back again at 10 that night to bake cakes.. Sgt. Schmidt
didn’t think I could do it .. And next day them 2 German Air Force crews came in.. I packed Them 2 cakes to eat on the trip home.. .. We got a nice letter back.. that’s how the Lt.
Found out we sent those cakes..
Their Captain said it was as good as their own baker’s cakes.. (yeah, bragging some, sometimes gotta do that).. I got called In on the cakes.. The Lt. Asked how they got the section’s direct address. I gave it to their Captain, he asked for it.. It had to go through all the routing stops .. So I was at that School about 5 weeks.. All field baking....
Some bread went to the field kitchen DH and the rest went to nearby Dining facilities.. Some was braided.. made pretzel bread.. that went over good.. rolls.. We got left alone and one of the Army baker instructors had us make the pretzel dough.. We sent the rolls to the Officer mess .. kinda accidentally on purpose.(?)... The said none was wasted.. it was fun getting creative in the Field.. it was supposed to be a learn’g experience.. When I got to Nam I did get assigned as a Airmen’s DH Cook. When I suggested we do pizza. They gave me the go ahead,, the baker’s made the dough and we got the pizzas made.. We greased the pans but also sprinkled corn meal on the pans.. The Airmen went crazy over them.. We had torn apart some of those pressed steaks and marinated in some Worcestershire.. and a beefbase tomato juice brother the. Chopped and grilled a little and then on the pizza.. Philly cheese steak pizza. Some Captain from Quartermaster Corps said the Philly Cheese steak name is copyrighted... “Sir, we are several thousand miles from Philly, they are not going to know !” “I’ll know,!” And he walked out of our kitchen area.. We still made them .. just a different name.. cheese, steak ‘n’ pepper pizza and left Philly out..
We tried doing cheese, steak n peppper rolls.. with tomato sauce..
We priced it out and made a variation card for the recipe card file.. Sent it in to Air Force menu board.. it took 3 months for approval... it was our variation.
We did some other stuff ,, they said too time consuming.. Heck we had several DHs on base(4 I believe)... Somebody was doing some calculating on some numbers in my jacket and didn’t see some numbers For TIS/TIG were for AF Reserve.. so they got grouped in with other numbers and I put on E-4 Sgt Early ..? When I crossed from Reserve to AD there was a imminent emergency for some A1Cs
That had their 5 level a minimum of 6 months ..and about a year in grade... I fell in there.. So I transferred over.. No loss of rank.
Whoo-Hoo! I had also incidentally
Filled 1st Cook spots several times,
Been a shift leader 4 times (weather sitreps, I watched that weather..,I thought that storm come earlier the way that wind was coming out of N.W. So I got on my way.. cut Classes at noon and called the 1SGT, He agreed and he picked me up and He and his wife (she was unit train’g NCO)headed fir Selfridge ANG/Reserve Base .. others arrived that evening.. A few cooks , all Airmen.. I was surprised no Sergeants were in the grp. So I headed up our group. That surprised me.. there were those been in longer. Not much, I had extended experience from out in the world cooking.. I know that shouldn’t count. The Airmen I worked with did it a few times a month,, They did just enough CDCs
To keep from getting demoted.. although it did happen to one of them.. In that 8 to 9 months them guys (including the NCOs and FSO)
Had faith in my skills and leadership ability.. I still got guidance, I appreciated that.. didn't Always need it but still appreciated.. So in a tight sit-rep.. No NCO Cooks.. not for s few hours.. We had a quick head session and got the jobs divided.. We got breakfast going and on the line.. we did a modification of lunch menu. Changed some items up.. We had a FSO (Food Svc Ofcr) that knew his way around a kitchen(He’d been s diet tech before becoming an officer/dietician.. The man was willing to get his hands in the pot..
So we worked together.. got lunch out too.. More trickled in as the roads got clear.. The FSO fell back and let the NCOs step in.. I briefed them on who was doing what.., The TSGT has me fall back to 1st C. that day.. that happened a few more times that winter that I was on top until they got there.. I was consistently checking my Zjscket for progress reports.. I was impatient.. (why were they taking so long?)... I got called in to the FSO’s office and he laid my jacket in front of me.. “I think this is what you were looking for.. what you were looking at was a jacket the shift leader had.. He was writing and passing them up, that’s why you didn’r See for a few months.”
That was when he brought up the
Change to A.D. if I wanted to do it.. I told him could I do in June when I had a year in grade as A1C..
“I thought you put A1C on in August
‘70... I explained that if looked in my 201.. I never got to finish.. he’d already seen it and was stringing me along.. Now jump forward to
Viet Nam.. and the throwing the numbers together.. from Reserves and Active.. So after getting SGT and holding it 7 months... I also tested for SSGT and earned it.. They called me in and told me of the foul-up.. The Cmdr. Said I I had the rank on more than 180 days, I had good performance endorsements.. It was 3 months more I had the SSGT. Sewn on and working as a Shift leader.. i’d Already worked the slot as a Sergeant.. a de facto sitrep ..
Another Sgt thought he should had got it.. I kind of agreed (in my heart), The FSO and Cmdr said I had the line number, I was next .. I stepped in and did the job.. then that 3 months later I was wearing SSGT. And had the shift.. A couple of the “brothers were going to play
the “race card” .. they said a decision by JAG that not enough
In “other ethnic groups” were being promoted to SSGT. JAG wanted the AF to “cook the books” in regards to promotion .. Hers’s where I got to back off.. Some may just have a hard time because of comprehension.. There were prob’ly other mitigating circumstances some brothers were NOT promoted.. that’s NOT for me to digress .. The commander said he wasn’t promoting any token SSGTS..., not during his tour.. ..the proverbial “stuff” hit the fan.. There were SGTs at other bases that met the quota... The Cmdr was due to Rotate a month after myself..
He looked at their scores.. he wasn’t happy “cooking the books..
and commented In his transfer of command ... in a loose letter.. The exec took over and put the letter back in.. He in turn redlined them guys for just cause((they didn’t measure up to the level they held as a sergeant, he noted instances of questionable conduct.. so how are they going to measure up as a SSGT.?).... The SGT. That served as clerk during that sitrep rotated shortly after myself.. Stopped by and visited..and shared some confidential scuttlebutt.. I told him that what he told me was supposed to be between him and the Cmdr. He just left. Don’t go telling anybody else.. it stops here .. I know, I just said it.. no names though, he told me names..
“Just be on your way, I just forgot where you were going.., so be gone!”.. I had to part company at that point with him.. what’s he going to be like at a gaining unit?
At some Reserve unit.. He said in Colorado or Wyoming maybe.. never took the liberty to make a note.. I had to think on that.. I think I’d be remiss if I didn’t pass on that the AF cannot have confidence in his ability to secure an Airman’s personal information.. I’m just glad he didn’t tell me too much..(?)..
After hd’d Been gone a few days,
I went in and talked to my 1SGT. and didn’t go through the orderly rm clerk.. I don’t think any Airman should have his information shared with unauthorized person(s).. I gave him the Sgt’s name and rank.,, I didn’t know where he was going..
so that was the Toss-up.. I was informed later by the 1SGT, the search was no avail.. I wish I had more.. I had left ‘Nam and went to Thailand for 1-1/2 years, then to Travis. That Sgt. Had gone to Taiwan for 1-1/2 years. .. 1SGT asked where he just left from..
his Sqdn. He took a chance and told that he thinks it was the Services Sqdn Section.... Therf were 2 clerks that left.. the other one was a month before.. So they were about to give the Sgt!s name after vetting the 1SGT.. .. As far as the information didn’t involve anybody else in the Sqdn in Taiwan.. both Cmdr’s spoke to each other.. The Cmdr in Taiwan said he would handle it.. .. My Cmdr. Kept my name confidential and would release to AFOSI if and when the sit-rep warrants..
SSGT Golden was in the hospital, and Sgt Schmidt took Golden’s slot and the other 2 guys moved over a slot each.. and them flaky biscuits.. ? I did those.. The German chocolate cake? That was me.. ( I came in day before, made the pecan frosting .. went back and slept and back again at 10 that night to bake cakes.. Sgt. Schmidt
didn’t think I could do it .. And next day them 2 German Air Force crews came in.. I packed Them 2 cakes to eat on the trip home.. .. We got a nice letter back.. that’s how the Lt.
Found out we sent those cakes..
Their Captain said it was as good as their own baker’s cakes.. (yeah, bragging some, sometimes gotta do that).. I got called In on the cakes.. The Lt. Asked how they got the section’s direct address. I gave it to their Captain, he asked for it.. It had to go through all the routing stops .. So I was at that School about 5 weeks.. All field baking....
Some bread went to the field kitchen DH and the rest went to nearby Dining facilities.. Some was braided.. made pretzel bread.. that went over good.. rolls.. We got left alone and one of the Army baker instructors had us make the pretzel dough.. We sent the rolls to the Officer mess .. kinda accidentally on purpose.(?)... The said none was wasted.. it was fun getting creative in the Field.. it was supposed to be a learn’g experience.. When I got to Nam I did get assigned as a Airmen’s DH Cook. When I suggested we do pizza. They gave me the go ahead,, the baker’s made the dough and we got the pizzas made.. We greased the pans but also sprinkled corn meal on the pans.. The Airmen went crazy over them.. We had torn apart some of those pressed steaks and marinated in some Worcestershire.. and a beefbase tomato juice brother the. Chopped and grilled a little and then on the pizza.. Philly cheese steak pizza. Some Captain from Quartermaster Corps said the Philly Cheese steak name is copyrighted... “Sir, we are several thousand miles from Philly, they are not going to know !” “I’ll know,!” And he walked out of our kitchen area.. We still made them .. just a different name.. cheese, steak ‘n’ pepper pizza and left Philly out..
We tried doing cheese, steak n peppper rolls.. with tomato sauce..
We priced it out and made a variation card for the recipe card file.. Sent it in to Air Force menu board.. it took 3 months for approval... it was our variation.
We did some other stuff ,, they said too time consuming.. Heck we had several DHs on base(4 I believe)... Somebody was doing some calculating on some numbers in my jacket and didn’t see some numbers For TIS/TIG were for AF Reserve.. so they got grouped in with other numbers and I put on E-4 Sgt Early ..? When I crossed from Reserve to AD there was a imminent emergency for some A1Cs
That had their 5 level a minimum of 6 months ..and about a year in grade... I fell in there.. So I transferred over.. No loss of rank.
Whoo-Hoo! I had also incidentally
Filled 1st Cook spots several times,
Been a shift leader 4 times (weather sitreps, I watched that weather..,I thought that storm come earlier the way that wind was coming out of N.W. So I got on my way.. cut Classes at noon and called the 1SGT, He agreed and he picked me up and He and his wife (she was unit train’g NCO)headed fir Selfridge ANG/Reserve Base .. others arrived that evening.. A few cooks , all Airmen.. I was surprised no Sergeants were in the grp. So I headed up our group. That surprised me.. there were those been in longer. Not much, I had extended experience from out in the world cooking.. I know that shouldn’t count. The Airmen I worked with did it a few times a month,, They did just enough CDCs
To keep from getting demoted.. although it did happen to one of them.. In that 8 to 9 months them guys (including the NCOs and FSO)
Had faith in my skills and leadership ability.. I still got guidance, I appreciated that.. didn't Always need it but still appreciated.. So in a tight sit-rep.. No NCO Cooks.. not for s few hours.. We had a quick head session and got the jobs divided.. We got breakfast going and on the line.. we did a modification of lunch menu. Changed some items up.. We had a FSO (Food Svc Ofcr) that knew his way around a kitchen(He’d been s diet tech before becoming an officer/dietician.. The man was willing to get his hands in the pot..
So we worked together.. got lunch out too.. More trickled in as the roads got clear.. The FSO fell back and let the NCOs step in.. I briefed them on who was doing what.., The TSGT has me fall back to 1st C. that day.. that happened a few more times that winter that I was on top until they got there.. I was consistently checking my Zjscket for progress reports.. I was impatient.. (why were they taking so long?)... I got called in to the FSO’s office and he laid my jacket in front of me.. “I think this is what you were looking for.. what you were looking at was a jacket the shift leader had.. He was writing and passing them up, that’s why you didn’r See for a few months.”
That was when he brought up the
Change to A.D. if I wanted to do it.. I told him could I do in June when I had a year in grade as A1C..
“I thought you put A1C on in August
‘70... I explained that if looked in my 201.. I never got to finish.. he’d already seen it and was stringing me along.. Now jump forward to
Viet Nam.. and the throwing the numbers together.. from Reserves and Active.. So after getting SGT and holding it 7 months... I also tested for SSGT and earned it.. They called me in and told me of the foul-up.. The Cmdr. Said I I had the rank on more than 180 days, I had good performance endorsements.. It was 3 months more I had the SSGT. Sewn on and working as a Shift leader.. i’d Already worked the slot as a Sergeant.. a de facto sitrep ..
Another Sgt thought he should had got it.. I kind of agreed (in my heart), The FSO and Cmdr said I had the line number, I was next .. I stepped in and did the job.. then that 3 months later I was wearing SSGT. And had the shift.. A couple of the “brothers were going to play
the “race card” .. they said a decision by JAG that not enough
In “other ethnic groups” were being promoted to SSGT. JAG wanted the AF to “cook the books” in regards to promotion .. Hers’s where I got to back off.. Some may just have a hard time because of comprehension.. There were prob’ly other mitigating circumstances some brothers were NOT promoted.. that’s NOT for me to digress .. The commander said he wasn’t promoting any token SSGTS..., not during his tour.. ..the proverbial “stuff” hit the fan.. There were SGTs at other bases that met the quota... The Cmdr was due to Rotate a month after myself..
He looked at their scores.. he wasn’t happy “cooking the books..
and commented In his transfer of command ... in a loose letter.. The exec took over and put the letter back in.. He in turn redlined them guys for just cause((they didn’t measure up to the level they held as a sergeant, he noted instances of questionable conduct.. so how are they going to measure up as a SSGT.?).... The SGT. That served as clerk during that sitrep rotated shortly after myself.. Stopped by and visited..and shared some confidential scuttlebutt.. I told him that what he told me was supposed to be between him and the Cmdr. He just left. Don’t go telling anybody else.. it stops here .. I know, I just said it.. no names though, he told me names..
“Just be on your way, I just forgot where you were going.., so be gone!”.. I had to part company at that point with him.. what’s he going to be like at a gaining unit?
At some Reserve unit.. He said in Colorado or Wyoming maybe.. never took the liberty to make a note.. I had to think on that.. I think I’d be remiss if I didn’t pass on that the AF cannot have confidence in his ability to secure an Airman’s personal information.. I’m just glad he didn’t tell me too much..(?)..
After hd’d Been gone a few days,
I went in and talked to my 1SGT. and didn’t go through the orderly rm clerk.. I don’t think any Airman should have his information shared with unauthorized person(s).. I gave him the Sgt’s name and rank.,, I didn’t know where he was going..
so that was the Toss-up.. I was informed later by the 1SGT, the search was no avail.. I wish I had more.. I had left ‘Nam and went to Thailand for 1-1/2 years, then to Travis. That Sgt. Had gone to Taiwan for 1-1/2 years. .. 1SGT asked where he just left from..
his Sqdn. He took a chance and told that he thinks it was the Services Sqdn Section.... Therf were 2 clerks that left.. the other one was a month before.. So they were about to give the Sgt!s name after vetting the 1SGT.. .. As far as the information didn’t involve anybody else in the Sqdn in Taiwan.. both Cmdr’s spoke to each other.. The Cmdr in Taiwan said he would handle it.. .. My Cmdr. Kept my name confidential and would release to AFOSI if and when the sit-rep warrants..
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
LTC Stephen F. Yes sir I did. Guy got a carnival sized bag of Popcorn and DS asked if he wanted to eat it. Private said yes, DS said it's your popcorn...you eat it. Private got through half the bag and started closing the bag. DS said what are you doing? Private said I'm all done DS, DS said no that's your popcorn....you eat it. DS made him eat entire bag and chug 2 canteens...Private proceeds to blow the popcorn all over the the formation area, and the DS made him clean the entire area.
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
When I was there in 2013, we had mail call. Sometimes packages of goodies would mysteriously disappear before they could be delivered, but otherwise mail call was a highlight.
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I remember mail call when I was in training in the US but I don't remember them after I became an officer. Maybe I stopped getting mail then HaHa.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding, my friend CPT Scott Sharon and letting us know you remember pay call formation in TRADOC training as an enlisted man in CONUS but don't remember pay call after you were commissioned.
Snail mail for officers may well have been intercepted during the Vietnam War time period :-)
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Wayne Brandon LTC Bill Koski Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown Maj Marty Hogan MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish AN Christopher Crayne SPC Tom DeSmet SGT Charles H. Hawes SGT (Join to see) SSG David Andrews
Snail mail for officers may well have been intercepted during the Vietnam War time period :-)
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Wayne Brandon LTC Bill Koski Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown Maj Marty Hogan MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish AN Christopher Crayne SPC Tom DeSmet SGT Charles H. Hawes SGT (Join to see) SSG David Andrews
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I was at Wright-Pat AFB Regional Hospital waiting at aeromedical barracks for a flight to take me back to Grand Fotks for Medical Retirement on TDRL... in Nov. ‘77.
I’m glad I didn’t get over there until the last few weeks of November because one has to be available if a flight comes available that’ll take you. There was one flight I could of got but the Colonel there conferred with my doc and passed on it. I would of had several stops and a possible layover and maybe get bounced for a more serious patient.. So I stayed until after Thanksgiving.. They gave me a pager and I was able to go to the main hospital and get around and see people.
I knew.. one of them the Neurosurgeon that kept some new guy from drilling burr holes to relieve pressure... Doc ward thought the pressure was / had relieving(ed) itself pretty good..
I thought it had .. was find’g some clear sticky fluid on the pillow case quite often..
So she kept me on the ward until after Doc checked me.. then my pay was going to my Grand Forks acc’t.. $594.60
Before taxes.. I was allowed to add the year of Reserve.. and that put me over 8 for pay.. because I was being retired. A thoughtful young man at finance checked regulations. The board set my retirement
In Jan ‘78, They didn’t for some reason use the board date as freezing my TIG but the retirement date and that was in the minutes for the board.. YES THANK YOU, JESUS ! and adding my Reserve year putting me over 8 years. My pay jumped to $618 as over 8 they added full cola after they halved it . So I didn’t do too shabby.. then I started vocat-rehab.. I
Was earn’g more than when active duty..
on school pay I got cola also.. I checked to see if mistake.. I was earning a nice check.. paid a hell of a price to get it... With a TBI and some bruised ribs and fractured left forearm.. I still had to get my writing up to par again.. practice that cursive.. As I was a right handed writer..
for some reason I was trying to pick up the.silverware they gave me left handed.. since my arm casted I switched back to my right hand.. The ribs only hurt when I laughed hard so not too funny of jokes for those first few month after the accident.. I told people.. they wanted me to wait on school and work on getting better... Therapy said I was doing really swell.. walking and balance.... I thought my mind was sharper than before the TBI..
I did a lot of vocabulary tests at W-P Hospital. Some math .. cursive .. before accident writing was edging on sloppy (IMHO)... and I had gotten some books at base library.. I had left in my room before accident on Base flightline. My roomy informed me he returned my books.. when he visited me The first time..
That was back shortly after the accident when at Univ ND Trauma ward..
go forward again... back to
Community College and culinary School..
The first few weeks were in the class...
A lot of safety.. running is not part of getting around in the kitchen.. especially when having a knife or other sharp object
One of the clowns tried taunt’g me while Chef was out of the room.. I ignored him and he could not handle that.. he come over and slammed his hand on my book...
Right then chef walked in.... “I just don’t
Know what his major malfunction is Chef.. but I’m surmising maybe his mama didn’t love him much....he’s clammering for attention... maybe he has A.D.D.” I need say no more.. Chef invited him out in the hall... there were out there for about 15 minutes... and then returned... and apologized ... that’s ok, you had an
Uncontrollable moment.. let’s forget it happened.. his buds were trying not to laugh at him.. and we moved on.. he lost control of his fan base..
I’m glad I didn’t get over there until the last few weeks of November because one has to be available if a flight comes available that’ll take you. There was one flight I could of got but the Colonel there conferred with my doc and passed on it. I would of had several stops and a possible layover and maybe get bounced for a more serious patient.. So I stayed until after Thanksgiving.. They gave me a pager and I was able to go to the main hospital and get around and see people.
I knew.. one of them the Neurosurgeon that kept some new guy from drilling burr holes to relieve pressure... Doc ward thought the pressure was / had relieving(ed) itself pretty good..
I thought it had .. was find’g some clear sticky fluid on the pillow case quite often..
So she kept me on the ward until after Doc checked me.. then my pay was going to my Grand Forks acc’t.. $594.60
Before taxes.. I was allowed to add the year of Reserve.. and that put me over 8 for pay.. because I was being retired. A thoughtful young man at finance checked regulations. The board set my retirement
In Jan ‘78, They didn’t for some reason use the board date as freezing my TIG but the retirement date and that was in the minutes for the board.. YES THANK YOU, JESUS ! and adding my Reserve year putting me over 8 years. My pay jumped to $618 as over 8 they added full cola after they halved it . So I didn’t do too shabby.. then I started vocat-rehab.. I
Was earn’g more than when active duty..
on school pay I got cola also.. I checked to see if mistake.. I was earning a nice check.. paid a hell of a price to get it... With a TBI and some bruised ribs and fractured left forearm.. I still had to get my writing up to par again.. practice that cursive.. As I was a right handed writer..
for some reason I was trying to pick up the.silverware they gave me left handed.. since my arm casted I switched back to my right hand.. The ribs only hurt when I laughed hard so not too funny of jokes for those first few month after the accident.. I told people.. they wanted me to wait on school and work on getting better... Therapy said I was doing really swell.. walking and balance.... I thought my mind was sharper than before the TBI..
I did a lot of vocabulary tests at W-P Hospital. Some math .. cursive .. before accident writing was edging on sloppy (IMHO)... and I had gotten some books at base library.. I had left in my room before accident on Base flightline. My roomy informed me he returned my books.. when he visited me The first time..
That was back shortly after the accident when at Univ ND Trauma ward..
go forward again... back to
Community College and culinary School..
The first few weeks were in the class...
A lot of safety.. running is not part of getting around in the kitchen.. especially when having a knife or other sharp object
One of the clowns tried taunt’g me while Chef was out of the room.. I ignored him and he could not handle that.. he come over and slammed his hand on my book...
Right then chef walked in.... “I just don’t
Know what his major malfunction is Chef.. but I’m surmising maybe his mama didn’t love him much....he’s clammering for attention... maybe he has A.D.D.” I need say no more.. Chef invited him out in the hall... there were out there for about 15 minutes... and then returned... and apologized ... that’s ok, you had an
Uncontrollable moment.. let’s forget it happened.. his buds were trying not to laugh at him.. and we moved on.. he lost control of his fan base..
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding my friend SSgt Boyd Herrst and providing background on your hospital time at Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio.
I think you meant to respond to the Pay Call question. this is the mail call question.
I think you meant to respond to the Pay Call question. this is the mail call question.
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
I meant both actually but left out the mail. Amy mail I received was brought to me or I picked up at Nurses station.. I just left it off.. whoops !
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I always felt like mail call was a great bonding time during my first few years and while deployed. I have some pretty good memories of those times and hate to see it drifting away.
LTC Stephen F.,COL Mikel J. Burroughs,PVT Mark Brown,SP5 Mark Kuzinski,Lt Col Charlie Brown,SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth,SPC Douglas Bolton
LTC Stephen F.,COL Mikel J. Burroughs,PVT Mark Brown,SP5 Mark Kuzinski,Lt Col Charlie Brown,SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth,SPC Douglas Bolton
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
Mail call great during basic and AIT, if we got a care package , we shared with the rest of the platoon.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend SGT Michael Thorin for responding and letting us know that you felt that mail call was a great bonding time during your first few years of military service and especially while deployed.
FYI SGT John MeredithMSgt John McGowanMSgt David M.LTC Jeff ShearerSGT Philip RoncariLt Col Jim CoeCWO3 Dennis M.SGT (Join to see)PO3 Bob McCordSgt Albert Castro1SG John MillanSSgt Boyd Herrst TSgt Rodney BidingerSGT Jim ArnoldSFC Randy PurhamCDR (Join to see) MSG Brian Ross SGT Rick Colburn
FYI SGT John MeredithMSgt John McGowanMSgt David M.LTC Jeff ShearerSGT Philip RoncariLt Col Jim CoeCWO3 Dennis M.SGT (Join to see)PO3 Bob McCordSgt Albert Castro1SG John MillanSSgt Boyd Herrst TSgt Rodney BidingerSGT Jim ArnoldSFC Randy PurhamCDR (Join to see) MSG Brian Ross SGT Rick Colburn
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding CCMSgt Robert Hall and making us aware that you have memories of mail call in formation at Amarillo Air Force Base in Texas every afternoon following noon chow.
I imagine that was very hot in the summer.
FYI Maj Robert Thornton CPT Scott SharonSFC Greg Bruorton SFC Michael Young 1stSgt Eugene Harless MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy 1SG Carl McAndrews SPC Douglas Bolton Debbie Pomeroy Cloud Kathlean KeeslerSGT Tim Fridley (Join to see) SSG David Andrews Sgt John H. SGT Mark Halmrast CW5 Jack Cardwell Cynthia Croft Sgt Vance Bonds SSgt Brian Brakke
I imagine that was very hot in the summer.
FYI Maj Robert Thornton CPT Scott SharonSFC Greg Bruorton SFC Michael Young 1stSgt Eugene Harless MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy 1SG Carl McAndrews SPC Douglas Bolton Debbie Pomeroy Cloud Kathlean KeeslerSGT Tim Fridley (Join to see) SSG David Andrews Sgt John H. SGT Mark Halmrast CW5 Jack Cardwell Cynthia Croft Sgt Vance Bonds SSgt Brian Brakke
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SGT Rick Colburn
I remember mail call very well I was about the only guy in BASIC AND AIT that never got any mail from my family and because I never had a girlfriend til I got back home there was no one that cared for me or about me I was treated as such because I was the "black sheep" of the family.
And now it is just me again all family parents and bros and sisters have passed on.
And now it is just me again all family parents and bros and sisters have passed on.
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
Standing in a formation waiting on mailcall’s easier than walking a security post, in one of those Sandboxes, that’d for sure ! I was fortunate to not have to do neither(stand in 90• + weather or be on a flightline walking a Security Post... my heart goes out to of you (ohhh, and those working on the Aircraft and those maintain vehicles)...
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What was embarrassing was when your girlfriend put perfume on the letters lol
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
Another word fix error .. supposed to be female. I can turn it off but there are times i’m Glad it’s available...
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
LTC Stephen F. I remember only too well. It was especially impressive when I got 5 letters at one time and most everyone else got a really thin envelope. Mail Call was the event of the day.
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
I enjoyed getting them letters like that but got Poked about not getting mail.. I wasn’t a pipeline student but we TDYs had to show up for mail call and getting the daily buzzfeed.. and an occasional going over about haircuts.. which I had no prob with then. I kept it short enough yet had some hair on top and some on sides and back.. We’d buddied up with an Army troop who was married.. who had elictric clipppers.. .and a wife who was good at trimming up , thinning out..
So we gathered at his housing in and occasionally had a pizza , beer with us.. This deal was going good.. pizza didn’t cost that much.. we called or talked to them to let them know we be coming over.. We didn’t pay attention to the sign housing area restricted to occupants .. we had beer and pizza, we’d called to let them know.. we figured we were good to enter..
so Bill knocks on their door.. it was slightly open but we were not going to walk right in.. didn’t want to catch s’one in a state of undress accidentally.. Sue (his wife) didn’t want to pull the blinds e’time.. so it was to the backroom where her washer/dryer and sink were. That’s where we got our touch-ups... Joe was pretty well bald and didn’t have but very little on sides.. so he just used his razor and did it that way..
We were coming out and getting into Bob’s car.. A neighbor(a SFC) commented he seen some of us over at his neighbor’s unit quite a lot.. “Don’t you guys read that sign?” He commented.. Bob who was a MSGT.(Army).; “I don’t see a problem, we do call prior to visiting, I don’t speed, I live in housing myself, I understand your concern..
We’ve only A few more weeks.. and you will not see us again.. you may see me. On Post somewhere .. possibly at Delta or Bravo Co. Garrison Mess.. ya know, by the time you whine about it... and it winds down the pike.. we’ll be gone! Do don’t get your boxers in a bind SFC Devvins, have a great day!
Bobbgot back behind the wheel
and we drove off.. “ Do you think he got your sticker number, Bob?”
“It doesn’t matter if he did.. it has a retired tag, it’s my Sis’s car.. from Ft Belvoir.. she retired as a MSGT.. she might get a letter in the mail..
So we did one more visit.. by that time we see 3 or 4 M.P. Cats patrolling, sitting in the housing area.. Wow, that guy must have some pull, look at all the M.P. Cars!
We pulled in and a M.P. Car drove by really slow... we knocked and he opened the door.. We entered ..
a few minutes later Sue came home.. Let’s wait on the clippers.. might get a visitor, don’t want them to hear the clippers... not that they were loud.. We waited and sue said let’s get this done guys.. I’m glad this is the last time.. getting burned out on that pizza ..... msybe we’ll take a break from it... We got our cuts, had pizza and beer (except Bob this time).. We left and drove from housing.. no stops.. They left us alone.. We got back to barracks and the next morning The Cmdr and 1SGT are at formation. He talked for about 20 minutes.. it was about unauthorized autos(that includes those with Post stickers) in the housing area.. You guys are leaving.. I didn’t want to make this little speech but was Told to make it by the Quartermaster school Commsndant., it was an I.G. Complaint by a resident about a TDY student, not ours but Army and who was seen with AF personnel who they surmised from this detachment.. There are those from 12th AF on this post.. anyway I gave the little spiel and that Army SSGT over your shoulders can go back and report I made the speech.. other than that minute speech over much ado about nothing, You’ve all been a good group of classes to come through here! We went to the debrief and received our certificates and returned and got our gear and we went back out to wait for the van to take us to the Airport.. Bob came in his car. He took two of us with him and he drove back up north., I kept track of my times and breaks taken. I was able by chance to cash in my return ticket to Philly. I had a few more days ., The Sato Guy didn’t blink. I got a cashed in check but no $ because the AF bought my ticket.. it might take a while to get the $ that would have paid for that ticket. I found the AF didn’t get charged a penalty... I did get the travel .. wasn’t a lot but it was less expensive than the ticket... it only took a few days.. Finance didn’t lose any $.. The civilian clerk took it upon herself to scold me.. The AF went through a lot to get a good rate on that ticket.. bla-bla-bla... I learned it does no good to argue even if you know you may be correct.. I just smiled and said “Yes, Ma’am”... The Lt. Stand’g back of me got in the middle of it..
Let me see that voucher receipt, Airman ! I handed it over.. “So this Airman is offered a ride that saved the AF $175.00 and change.. So what’s the major malfunction here, he saved the AF money they can use somewhere else ! Oh, do you have stock in the company... Mrs.________ is that why your whining?” “It’s none of your concern Lt!” She replied.. I”I want a different pay clerk.. NOW! She disappeared and came back with a Security Policemen.. a Captain came out also.. The Captain said he’d take care of it .. He paid the Lt. His money and signed the voucher... and she returned fo do the rest of them.. I could see she was rattled... She had to start over twice when she counted ..!She looked at me watching.. “you’re done, you can leave now!” I got the hint.. I talked to one of the recipients.. Yeah, she was rattled..
She pulled her cord and secured her metal blind.. She told the girl the window would reopen at 1300 with a new cashier.. That Airman wasn’t too happy.. but she’:s better off.. That new one prob’ly wouldn’t mess up like she did..
A few days later that rattled clerk
Made an I.G. Inquiry into my voucher.. it was filed correctly.. she wanted to know why I cashed my ticket in and returned in a P.O.V. He wanted company on his ride back..
Did you do any driving A1C Herrst? I answered that I did.. a couple hundred miles , We divide the miles by 3 .. I didn’t really accurately figure the math.. I was happy to contribute my share.. (these days travel rules have changed [read new travel rule at travel.gov or s’thing along that line.] ). I don’t recall.. is travel charged to Squadron budgets at some point?
It was good to be back... Yes I did get orders .. a few months later, “J” delivered those .. she didn’t have to, could of sent by courier.. She came by my room and left a note
Under my door.. she must of pushed it In further with a pen or pencil.. .. contents are personal ; all y’all don’t need to know!... hahaha..
So we gathered at his housing in and occasionally had a pizza , beer with us.. This deal was going good.. pizza didn’t cost that much.. we called or talked to them to let them know we be coming over.. We didn’t pay attention to the sign housing area restricted to occupants .. we had beer and pizza, we’d called to let them know.. we figured we were good to enter..
so Bill knocks on their door.. it was slightly open but we were not going to walk right in.. didn’t want to catch s’one in a state of undress accidentally.. Sue (his wife) didn’t want to pull the blinds e’time.. so it was to the backroom where her washer/dryer and sink were. That’s where we got our touch-ups... Joe was pretty well bald and didn’t have but very little on sides.. so he just used his razor and did it that way..
We were coming out and getting into Bob’s car.. A neighbor(a SFC) commented he seen some of us over at his neighbor’s unit quite a lot.. “Don’t you guys read that sign?” He commented.. Bob who was a MSGT.(Army).; “I don’t see a problem, we do call prior to visiting, I don’t speed, I live in housing myself, I understand your concern..
We’ve only A few more weeks.. and you will not see us again.. you may see me. On Post somewhere .. possibly at Delta or Bravo Co. Garrison Mess.. ya know, by the time you whine about it... and it winds down the pike.. we’ll be gone! Do don’t get your boxers in a bind SFC Devvins, have a great day!
Bobbgot back behind the wheel
and we drove off.. “ Do you think he got your sticker number, Bob?”
“It doesn’t matter if he did.. it has a retired tag, it’s my Sis’s car.. from Ft Belvoir.. she retired as a MSGT.. she might get a letter in the mail..
So we did one more visit.. by that time we see 3 or 4 M.P. Cats patrolling, sitting in the housing area.. Wow, that guy must have some pull, look at all the M.P. Cars!
We pulled in and a M.P. Car drove by really slow... we knocked and he opened the door.. We entered ..
a few minutes later Sue came home.. Let’s wait on the clippers.. might get a visitor, don’t want them to hear the clippers... not that they were loud.. We waited and sue said let’s get this done guys.. I’m glad this is the last time.. getting burned out on that pizza ..... msybe we’ll take a break from it... We got our cuts, had pizza and beer (except Bob this time).. We left and drove from housing.. no stops.. They left us alone.. We got back to barracks and the next morning The Cmdr and 1SGT are at formation. He talked for about 20 minutes.. it was about unauthorized autos(that includes those with Post stickers) in the housing area.. You guys are leaving.. I didn’t want to make this little speech but was Told to make it by the Quartermaster school Commsndant., it was an I.G. Complaint by a resident about a TDY student, not ours but Army and who was seen with AF personnel who they surmised from this detachment.. There are those from 12th AF on this post.. anyway I gave the little spiel and that Army SSGT over your shoulders can go back and report I made the speech.. other than that minute speech over much ado about nothing, You’ve all been a good group of classes to come through here! We went to the debrief and received our certificates and returned and got our gear and we went back out to wait for the van to take us to the Airport.. Bob came in his car. He took two of us with him and he drove back up north., I kept track of my times and breaks taken. I was able by chance to cash in my return ticket to Philly. I had a few more days ., The Sato Guy didn’t blink. I got a cashed in check but no $ because the AF bought my ticket.. it might take a while to get the $ that would have paid for that ticket. I found the AF didn’t get charged a penalty... I did get the travel .. wasn’t a lot but it was less expensive than the ticket... it only took a few days.. Finance didn’t lose any $.. The civilian clerk took it upon herself to scold me.. The AF went through a lot to get a good rate on that ticket.. bla-bla-bla... I learned it does no good to argue even if you know you may be correct.. I just smiled and said “Yes, Ma’am”... The Lt. Stand’g back of me got in the middle of it..
Let me see that voucher receipt, Airman ! I handed it over.. “So this Airman is offered a ride that saved the AF $175.00 and change.. So what’s the major malfunction here, he saved the AF money they can use somewhere else ! Oh, do you have stock in the company... Mrs.________ is that why your whining?” “It’s none of your concern Lt!” She replied.. I”I want a different pay clerk.. NOW! She disappeared and came back with a Security Policemen.. a Captain came out also.. The Captain said he’d take care of it .. He paid the Lt. His money and signed the voucher... and she returned fo do the rest of them.. I could see she was rattled... She had to start over twice when she counted ..!She looked at me watching.. “you’re done, you can leave now!” I got the hint.. I talked to one of the recipients.. Yeah, she was rattled..
She pulled her cord and secured her metal blind.. She told the girl the window would reopen at 1300 with a new cashier.. That Airman wasn’t too happy.. but she’:s better off.. That new one prob’ly wouldn’t mess up like she did..
A few days later that rattled clerk
Made an I.G. Inquiry into my voucher.. it was filed correctly.. she wanted to know why I cashed my ticket in and returned in a P.O.V. He wanted company on his ride back..
Did you do any driving A1C Herrst? I answered that I did.. a couple hundred miles , We divide the miles by 3 .. I didn’t really accurately figure the math.. I was happy to contribute my share.. (these days travel rules have changed [read new travel rule at travel.gov or s’thing along that line.] ). I don’t recall.. is travel charged to Squadron budgets at some point?
It was good to be back... Yes I did get orders .. a few months later, “J” delivered those .. she didn’t have to, could of sent by courier.. She came by my room and left a note
Under my door.. she must of pushed it In further with a pen or pencil.. .. contents are personal ; all y’all don’t need to know!... hahaha..
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Not only mail call but pay call, you reported for pay and we’re paid in cash, you then proceeded down a line of tables to square debts like your laundry bill. The last station at the tables was the Old Soldier’s Home donations, the 1SG stood close by and “observed” those who didn’t donate.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding LTC Dave Dreher and reminding us that after reporting for pay call and being paid their were "allotment" tables that expected cash payments such as laundry. Of course voluntary contributions/donations were all-too-often considered mandatory by 1SGs and others.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CW5 (Join to see) SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Joshua Caldwell SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CW5 (Join to see) SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Joshua Caldwell SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
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Remember it only too well. Also remember standing out in formation in a driving rain at 0 dark thirty doing PT in our skivvies for giving a certain troop a blanket party. Ah yes, memories.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding SP5 Joel McDargh and letting us know that you well remember mail call in formation.
And sharing that remember standing out in formation in a driving rain at 0 dark thirty doing PT in our skivvies for giving a certain troop a blanket party.
FYI SGT John MeredithMSgt John McGowanMSgt David M.LTC Jeff ShearerSGT Philip RoncariCPT Jim GallagherLt Col Jim CoeCWO3 Dennis M.SGT (Join to see)PO3 Bob McCordSgt Albert Castro1SG John MillanSSgt Boyd Herrst TSgt Rodney BidingerSGT Jim ArnoldSFC Randy PurhamCDR (Join to see) MSG Brian Ross PO3 Phyllis Maynard
And sharing that remember standing out in formation in a driving rain at 0 dark thirty doing PT in our skivvies for giving a certain troop a blanket party.
FYI SGT John MeredithMSgt John McGowanMSgt David M.LTC Jeff ShearerSGT Philip RoncariCPT Jim GallagherLt Col Jim CoeCWO3 Dennis M.SGT (Join to see)PO3 Bob McCordSgt Albert Castro1SG John MillanSSgt Boyd Herrst TSgt Rodney BidingerSGT Jim ArnoldSFC Randy PurhamCDR (Join to see) MSG Brian Ross PO3 Phyllis Maynard
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you fort responding SFC Armando Sanchez that you remember mail call and pay call during the 1970s and perhaps early 1980s.
FYI SGT John MeredithMSgt John McGowanMSgt David M.LTC Jeff ShearerSGT Philip RoncariCPT Jim GallagherLt Col Jim CoeCWO3 Dennis M.SGT (Join to see)PO3 Bob McCordSgt Albert Castro1SG John MillanSSgt Boyd Herrst TSgt Rodney BidingerSGT Jim ArnoldSFC Randy PurhamCDR (Join to see) MSG Brian Ross PO3 Phyllis Maynard
FYI SGT John MeredithMSgt John McGowanMSgt David M.LTC Jeff ShearerSGT Philip RoncariCPT Jim GallagherLt Col Jim CoeCWO3 Dennis M.SGT (Join to see)PO3 Bob McCordSgt Albert Castro1SG John MillanSSgt Boyd Herrst TSgt Rodney BidingerSGT Jim ArnoldSFC Randy PurhamCDR (Join to see) MSG Brian Ross PO3 Phyllis Maynard
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Yes, we were still not sending text messages or emails when I retired in 94.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding MAJ John Douglas and reminding those who are relatively new to the military service that text messages were not used in military communications until very late in the 20th century.
Email was experimental in the early 1990s :-)
FYI LTC Stephen C. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. LTC (Join to see) CPT Gabe Snell Capt Tom Brown Capt Seid Waddell SSgt Robert Marx SSgt (Join to see) SCPO Morris RamseySP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT Robert George SGT John " Mac " McConnell SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright SP5 Robert Ruck SCPO Morris Ramsey CPL Eric Escasio Cpl Joshua Caldwell
Email was experimental in the early 1990s :-)
FYI LTC Stephen C. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. LTC (Join to see) CPT Gabe Snell Capt Tom Brown Capt Seid Waddell SSgt Robert Marx SSgt (Join to see) SCPO Morris RamseySP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT Robert George SGT John " Mac " McConnell SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright SP5 Robert Ruck SCPO Morris Ramsey CPL Eric Escasio Cpl Joshua Caldwell
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