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
Edited 4 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 377
When I was in , no such thing as text, e-mail or any other means of communication, except mail or a phone, if you can find one in a jungle! But to get a letter at mail call was like getting a Christmas present.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D for responding and making us aware that when you were in the Army there was "no such thing as text, e-mail or any other means of communication, except mail or a phone, if you can find one in a jungle."
I am glad to learn that getting a letter "was like getting a Christmas present" for you. I hope you received many such Christmas presents.
FYI SGT Philip Roncari SFC William Farrell LTC Wayne Brandon SGM Mikel Dawson LTC Stephen C. MSG Felipe De Leon Brown SGM Gerald Fife COL Mikel J. Burroughs MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SSG Stephen Rogerson TSgt David L. SGT (Join to see)
I am glad to learn that getting a letter "was like getting a Christmas present" for you. I hope you received many such Christmas presents.
FYI SGT Philip Roncari SFC William Farrell LTC Wayne Brandon SGM Mikel Dawson LTC Stephen C. MSG Felipe De Leon Brown SGM Gerald Fife COL Mikel J. Burroughs MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SSG Stephen Rogerson TSgt David L. SGT (Join to see)
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SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D
LTC Stephen F. I did Sir, and every letter, for a moment or two, removed my thoughts of death and destruction. Like a ray of sunshine in the otherwise fiery drab and dreary world of hell.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend MAJ Van Chase for responding and making us aware that you remember mail call as well as formation for pay call. Did you have mail call formation after AIT?
FYI Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. Maj Kim Patterson LTC Wayne Brandon LTC (Join to see) LTC Greg Henning LTC Charles T Dalbec SGM Mikel Dawson 1SG Michael Blount LTC (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SPC Matthew Lamb
FYI Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. Maj Kim Patterson LTC Wayne Brandon LTC (Join to see) LTC Greg Henning LTC Charles T Dalbec SGM Mikel Dawson 1SG Michael Blount LTC (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SPC Matthew Lamb
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MAJ Van Chase
LTC Stephen F. When I was stationed in Germany pay call was with mail call formation. Our pay checks came in the mail. I remember one time our company had soldiers AWOL that would turn themselves in the day before checks came. They would get there checks from the mail room the go AWOL again. 2nd Battalions13th Infantry. 8th Infantry Division. Coleman Barracks, Mannheim GE. 1974-1977.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend Cpl Louie Serrano for responding and letting us know you remember mail call. Hopefully you never received any bad news at mail call.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs Col Carl Whicker SMSgt Lawrence McCarter TSgt Joe C. TSgt David L. MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi MSgt David Hoffman Maj Robert Thornton Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Kim Patterson Maj Marty Hogan 1stsgt Glenn BrackinSFC (Join to see) SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Sgt (Join to see) SMSgt Robert Anderson
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs Col Carl Whicker SMSgt Lawrence McCarter TSgt Joe C. TSgt David L. MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi MSgt David Hoffman Maj Robert Thornton Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Kim Patterson Maj Marty Hogan 1stsgt Glenn BrackinSFC (Join to see) SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Sgt (Join to see) SMSgt Robert Anderson
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Best time of the day Especially if your girl sent a letter with perfume .
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend CPL Cadrew Strickland for responding and making us aware that mail call was the "best time of the day especially if your girl sent a letter with perfume."
FYI SGT Mark Anderson SGT Jim Arnold SSgt Terry P. Maj Robert Thornton SFC (Join to see) SGT Steve McFarland MSG Andrew White Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. SMSgt Lawrence McCarterSGT Gregory Lawritson CWO3 (Join to see) PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC (Join to see)1sg-dan-capriCPT Tommy CurtisA1C Ian Williams SSgt Boyd Herrst Col Carl Whicker SPC Margaret Higgins
FYI SGT Mark Anderson SGT Jim Arnold SSgt Terry P. Maj Robert Thornton SFC (Join to see) SGT Steve McFarland MSG Andrew White Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. SMSgt Lawrence McCarterSGT Gregory Lawritson CWO3 (Join to see) PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC (Join to see)1sg-dan-capriCPT Tommy CurtisA1C Ian Williams SSgt Boyd Herrst Col Carl Whicker SPC Margaret Higgins
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend MSgt Morris Walsh and making us aware that as a Jet Engine technician 'mail call was as important as eating.' Hopefully you never received any bad news in mail call.
FYI SSgt Marian MitchellCSM (Join to see)LT Brad McInnisPO3 Charles StreichPO3 Phyllis Maynard1stsgt Glenn BrackinCPT Paul WhitmerSgt Jim Belanus Cpl (Join to see)GySgt Thomas VickMAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D.CPL Cadrew StricklandTSgt George RodriguezTSgt David L.PO1 Robert GeorgeSGT Robert Pryor
FYI SSgt Marian MitchellCSM (Join to see)LT Brad McInnisPO3 Charles StreichPO3 Phyllis Maynard1stsgt Glenn BrackinCPT Paul WhitmerSgt Jim Belanus Cpl (Join to see)GySgt Thomas VickMAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D.CPL Cadrew StricklandTSgt George RodriguezTSgt David L.PO1 Robert GeorgeSGT Robert Pryor
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MSgt Morris Walsh
Your comments make my heart soar like a HAWK. ON THE OTHER HAND YOU HAVE 4 FINGERS AND A THUMB !!!!!!!!!! M. WALSH
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Oh yes, basic training in San Antonio, 1983, and it was definitely the best time when you received a letter and the worst when you didn't.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend SSgt Kelly D. for responding and making us aware that you well remember mail call in your basic training in San Antonio, 1983, and that it would be either the best or worst of times [apologies to Dickens A Tale of Two Cities]depending on whether or not you received any mail :-)
FYI SSgt Marian Mitchell Sgt Kelli Mays TSgt David L. MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. SSgt (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Col Carl Whicker
FYI SSgt Marian Mitchell Sgt Kelli Mays TSgt David L. MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. SSgt (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Col Carl Whicker
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It was in PI, and Boy did I Love mail Call when my name was called. Which it was atleast 1 or twice a week but I tried Not to GLOAT.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you, my friend PO3 Karen McNeal for responding and making us aware that you not only loved mail call but you tried to not gloat when you received mail [twice a week or more] and others didn't :-)
FYI PO3 Phyllis Maynard SPC Margaret Higgins Jennifer Lee (Doerflinger) Hill Sgt Kelli Mays Sgt Jackie Julius SPC Nancy Greene SSgt Marian Mitchell SSG Diane R. CPT (Join to see) PO1 H Gene Lawrence MSgt David Hoffman SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Cpl (Join to see) 1SG (Join to see) 1SG Steven Imerman SP5 Jeannie CarleSPC Chris Bayner-Cwik
FYI PO3 Phyllis Maynard SPC Margaret Higgins Jennifer Lee (Doerflinger) Hill Sgt Kelli Mays Sgt Jackie Julius SPC Nancy Greene SSgt Marian Mitchell SSG Diane R. CPT (Join to see) PO1 H Gene Lawrence MSgt David Hoffman SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Cpl (Join to see) 1SG (Join to see) 1SG Steven Imerman SP5 Jeannie CarleSPC Chris Bayner-Cwik
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I remember this almost like it was yesterday, I think. I also remember reporting to a pay officer every payday, in dress uniform. We would have our morning formation, inspections of the barracks as well as in ranks inspection. This usually took until about noon at which time if we were "non-essential" personnel, we got to take the afternoon off for payday activities.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you, my friend SFC Richard Williamson for responding and sharing your memories of mail call as well as payday "activities."
By the way there is a parallel question about payday.
FYI 1sg-dan-capriSGT Robert R.CPT Tommy Curtis
SGT (Join to see)SGT Mark AndersonSSG Michael Noll
CPT Daniel Cox TSgt David L.PO1 Robert George
SSG Robert Mark OdomSPC Matthew LambSSG Robert "Rob" WentworthPO2 Roger LafarletteSSG Franklin Briant
1stsgt Glenn BrackinSSgt Corwin WhickerCPT Paul Whitmer1SG Steven ImermanSSG Samuel Kermon
By the way there is a parallel question about payday.
FYI 1sg-dan-capriSGT Robert R.CPT Tommy Curtis
SGT (Join to see)SGT Mark AndersonSSG Michael Noll
CPT Daniel Cox TSgt David L.PO1 Robert George
SSG Robert Mark OdomSPC Matthew LambSSG Robert "Rob" WentworthPO2 Roger LafarletteSSG Franklin Briant
1stsgt Glenn BrackinSSgt Corwin WhickerCPT Paul Whitmer1SG Steven ImermanSSG Samuel Kermon
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SFC Richard Williamson
I also remember being overseas and making an appointment with the MARS Station to place a call to the "States". Those were some hard calls to make. When we got the call, we'd start our conversations with "Hello, Over." "Hi, Mom. Over." The hard part was getting Mom and Dad to say "Over." Usually, very short conversations.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you, my friend SPC Gary Welch for responding and making us aware that you remember in Operation "Desert Storm we still had mail call."
FYI SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL LTC Bill Koski CW5 (Join to see) MSG Brad Sand SGM Steve Wettstein SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SP5 Mark Kuzinski PO1 William "Chip" Nagel PO1 John Miller SP5 Robert Ruck SPC (Join to see) PO3 Steven Sherrill SN Greg Wright Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey TSgt Joe C. Cpl Joshua Caldwell SGT Michael Thorin SPC Margaret Higgins
FYI SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL LTC Bill Koski CW5 (Join to see) MSG Brad Sand SGM Steve Wettstein SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SP5 Mark Kuzinski PO1 William "Chip" Nagel PO1 John Miller SP5 Robert Ruck SPC (Join to see) PO3 Steven Sherrill SN Greg Wright Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey TSgt Joe C. Cpl Joshua Caldwell SGT Michael Thorin SPC Margaret Higgins
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I remember waiting for letters from my students while I was in Basic Training, MI training. It was great hearing from the kids during this time as Vietnam was still in the forefront of the military.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you CPL Dan Lemon for responding and letting us know that you "remember waiting for letters from my students while I was in Basic Training, MI training. It was great hearing from the kids during this time as Vietnam was still in the forefront of the military."
FYI Col Carl Whicker COL Mikel J. Burroughs SGT Philip Roncari SFC William Farrell CPT Jack Durish LTC Greg Henning LTC (Join to see) LTC Wayne Brandon TSgt Joe C. TSgt David L. PO1 H Gene Lawrence MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi MSgt David Hoffman
FYI Col Carl Whicker COL Mikel J. Burroughs SGT Philip Roncari SFC William Farrell CPT Jack Durish LTC Greg Henning LTC (Join to see) LTC Wayne Brandon TSgt Joe C. TSgt David L. PO1 H Gene Lawrence MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi MSgt David Hoffman
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LTC Stephen F.
I concur with you my friend LTC (Join to see) In our day there were no cell phones, text messages, video messages, etc. Each generation seems to have unique to them means of communication :-)
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CPL Dan Lemon
This is unrelated to the discussion. However, one of the things that I was really upset about was when it came for me to get out, the hierarchy wouldn't give me either a WO or Officer Commission (OCS etc) I would have stayed in and probably become a lifer. I couldn't figure out the rationale behind the non decision especially after all the money spent on me for training (ie. Basic, CIC Military Intelligence, and DLIWC for 47 weeks Polish). Oh well, my life is been good so no complaints. BTW-I had a college degree when I entered the service.
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