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 went through Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT) in 1999, we had made call, but our instructors conducted it in the dorm (barracks) day room whilst we were sitting on the floor rather than with us standing in formation.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend Capt Christian D. Orr for making us aware that when you went through "Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT) in 1999, we had made call, but our instructors conducted it in the dorm (barracks) day room whilst we were sitting on the floor rather than with us standing in formation."
FYI Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen SrA John Monette SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. MSgt Jason McClish SSgt Brian BrakkeMSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-HardySSgt Boyd Herrst Sgt Albert CastroMSgt John McGowanMSgt David M.Capt James WoodardSrA (Join to see) Lt Col (Join to see)Capt Seid WaddellSrA Edward Vong MSgt Ronald StacyTSgt Ronald White CMSgt David Wedington
FYI Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen SrA John Monette SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. MSgt Jason McClish SSgt Brian BrakkeMSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-HardySSgt Boyd Herrst Sgt Albert CastroMSgt John McGowanMSgt David M.Capt James WoodardSrA (Join to see) Lt Col (Join to see)Capt Seid WaddellSrA Edward Vong MSgt Ronald StacyTSgt Ronald White CMSgt David Wedington
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On a side note, l remember telling the new sailors that arrived on ship about mail arrival, instructed them to retrieve a large hook and stand on the aft end to wait till the mail drops in the water then pull it up!... many have done this and even more laughed watching!
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We usually did our mail call during morning muster, they would do roll call then pass out the mail... god forbid a girl send you a package! Lol great times!
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend PO3 Dan Wagoner for responding and making us aware that your mail call was during morning muster. Roll call [since your last name begins with W may have taken some time to get to you] passing out the mail as you responded. I like your bottom line 'god forbid a girl send you a package! Lol great times!
FYI PO3 Phyllis Maynard PO3 Steven Sherrill PO3 (Join to see) PO3 Lynn Spalding PO3 Scot StClair PO2 Peter Klein PO2 Brian Rhodes PO2 (Join to see) PO2 Louis Fattrusso PO1 John Miller PO1 Robert George PO1 Kevin Dougherty CPO Nate S. CPO Arthur Weinberger CPO B. Austin S. PO3 Charles Streich
FYI PO3 Phyllis Maynard PO3 Steven Sherrill PO3 (Join to see) PO3 Lynn Spalding PO3 Scot StClair PO2 Peter Klein PO2 Brian Rhodes PO2 (Join to see) PO2 Louis Fattrusso PO1 John Miller PO1 Robert George PO1 Kevin Dougherty CPO Nate S. CPO Arthur Weinberger CPO B. Austin S. PO3 Charles Streich
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend SPC Terry Page for making us aware that when you were deployed to Rivers Barracks in Giessen, West Germany from Mar 1964 - Aug 1965 you received your mail addressed to APO 169 New York, New York. I expect your mail was addressed to SPC Terry Page, A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 92nd Artillery, Rivers Barracks in Giessen, West Germany, APO 169 New York, New York or an abbreviated form of that address.
FYI SGM Gerald Fife SGM Major Stroupe SPC Nancy Greene SPC Margaret Higgins MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SMSgt Mark Venzeio SMSgt Thor Merich SMSgt David A Asbury MSG Andrew WhiteSPC (Join to see) SSG Edward Tilton SGT (Join to see)
FYI SGM Gerald Fife SGM Major Stroupe SPC Nancy Greene SPC Margaret Higgins MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SMSgt Mark Venzeio SMSgt Thor Merich SMSgt David A Asbury MSG Andrew WhiteSPC (Join to see) SSG Edward Tilton SGT (Join to see)
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I still have my mail from my service days. Some of it was pretty steamy as I got married as soon as I got back from Basic and AIT to the girl of my dreams !
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SFC Jim Ruether
I also got my package of Field and Stream magazines in a box from my Grandmother who put a false bottom in the box with the softest Chocolate Chip Cookies you haver swung your teeth over to eat and share with my buddies! Thanks Grand Mom I love you!
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend SFC Jim Ruether for making us aware that you still have mail from your now wife as you married the girl of your dreams as soon as you got back from Basic and Cannon Fire Direction AIT and honoring your grandmother.
And that you "also got my package of Field and Stream magazines in a box from my Grandmother who put a false bottom in the box with the softest Chocolate Chip Cookies you have swung your teeth over to eat and share with my buddies! Thanks Grand Mom I love you!"
FYI SPC Nancy Greene SPC Terry Page SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA SSG(P) (Join to see) SGT John Wesley SGT Rick Colburn SGT (Join to see) Kate Watson
SFC (Join to see)Wayne SoaresCPO Arthur WeinbergerCWO3 Randy WestonMAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D.
COL Kelly ZachgoSrA Ronald MooreSGT John PodlaskiMSG Joseph ChristofaroCpl Samuel Pope Sr
Cpl Mark A. Morris
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And that you "also got my package of Field and Stream magazines in a box from my Grandmother who put a false bottom in the box with the softest Chocolate Chip Cookies you have swung your teeth over to eat and share with my buddies! Thanks Grand Mom I love you!"
FYI SPC Nancy Greene SPC Terry Page SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA SSG(P) (Join to see) SGT John Wesley SGT Rick Colburn SGT (Join to see) Kate Watson
SFC (Join to see)Wayne SoaresCPO Arthur WeinbergerCWO3 Randy WestonMAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D.
COL Kelly ZachgoSrA Ronald MooreSGT John PodlaskiMSG Joseph ChristofaroCpl Samuel Pope Sr
Cpl Mark A. Morris
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Mail call? In boot camp, yes. Schools? Honestly I'm not sure, GINY was close enough to home I could get there in a couple hours by bus or train when I chose to. Otherwise, most units either had a mail slot system or slid it under the door. about 9/10th of the units I served at were about squad sized. With the exception of training commands, all were well under 100 officers and enlisted.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend PO1 Kevin Dougherty for making us aware that you remember mail call at boot camp at USCG Base Saint Louis and US Coast Guard schools [perhaps a few of these: Basic Electronics, Shipboard Fire Fighting, Basic Law Enforcement, LORAN A Journeyman, AN-SPS-64, LORAN A Class C School]
Since Governors Island, New York was close enough to your home in Mansfield Township, New Jersey I expect when you were stationed at the Third Coast Guard District Office,
FYI PO2 Jeffery Marcussen Sr LTJG Robert M. CAPT (Join to see) PO3 (Join to see) PO2 Jonathan Scharff LCDR (Join to see) CMC Robert Young CWO3 Dave Alcantara PO1 Jerome Newland PO3 Steven SherrillCWO3 Dennis M. CMDCM Gene Treants SCPO Larry Knight Sr. CPO (Join to see) SCPO Del Wolverton PO3 John Wagner CDR (Join to see) PO2 Orlando Sims, MPA
Since Governors Island, New York was close enough to your home in Mansfield Township, New Jersey I expect when you were stationed at the Third Coast Guard District Office,
FYI PO2 Jeffery Marcussen Sr LTJG Robert M. CAPT (Join to see) PO3 (Join to see) PO2 Jonathan Scharff LCDR (Join to see) CMC Robert Young CWO3 Dave Alcantara PO1 Jerome Newland PO3 Steven SherrillCWO3 Dennis M. CMDCM Gene Treants SCPO Larry Knight Sr. CPO (Join to see) SCPO Del Wolverton PO3 John Wagner CDR (Join to see) PO2 Orlando Sims, MPA
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CWO3 Dave Alcantara
Kevin,
We still had mail call on GLACIER whenever mail caught up to us. I remember a care package that I received 8 weeks after it was mailed. I was able to save the guitar strings and a couple of letters from family, everything else was a science experiment
We still had mail call on GLACIER whenever mail caught up to us. I remember a care package that I received 8 weeks after it was mailed. I was able to save the guitar strings and a couple of letters from family, everything else was a science experiment
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PO1 Kevin Dougherty
Yea that was pretty much the case up at Cape Christian. There it was weather. We could go a week or even weeks with no break in the weather in the winter. Bad weather there, or down on the DEW line meant no log flight for us. My mom sent me some fruit as a part of my "stocking" at Christmas, I had a lovely frozen orange and apple which had of course thawed by the time it got to me.
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Remember it like yesterday; mostly, is was much anticipated highlight of the day and on few not so much. Mostly a real morale booster.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend SPC Terry Page for making us aware that you remember mail call like yesterday; mostly, is was much anticipated highlight of the day and on few not so much. Mostly a real morale booster.'
FYI SGM Mikel Dawson LTC Wayne Brandon SPC Nancy Greene SPC William Weedman SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D SPC Margaret Higgins SGT Forrest Stewart SGT John Wesley SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz SGT (Join to see) Sgt (Join to see) SGT (Join to see) SSG(P) (Join to see)
FYI SGM Mikel Dawson LTC Wayne Brandon SPC Nancy Greene SPC William Weedman SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D SPC Margaret Higgins SGT Forrest Stewart SGT John Wesley SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz SGT (Join to see) Sgt (Join to see) SGT (Join to see) SSG(P) (Join to see)
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For Mail Call, we never stood an actual formation .. everyone just clustered around the mail clerk or whoever was handing out mail. For Pay Call, we stood in line in nor particular order, but Navy Corpsmen were PUT at the front of the line by the Marines.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend and brother-in-Christ . SSG Bill McCoy for responding and making us aware that you never 'stood an actual formation .. everyone just clustered around the mail clerk or whoever was handing out mail." "For Pay Call, we stood in line in nor particular order, but Navy Corpsmen were PUT at the front of the line by the Marines."
FYI Cpl Gabriel F. CPL Cadrew Strickland SFC Jim RuetherSPC Terry PageMSG Joseph ChristofaroCpl Samuel Pope SrSrA Ronald MooreSGT John Podlaski[~'598044:Po1 Robert Payne]
FYI Cpl Gabriel F. CPL Cadrew Strickland SFC Jim RuetherSPC Terry PageMSG Joseph ChristofaroCpl Samuel Pope SrSrA Ronald MooreSGT John Podlaski[~'598044:Po1 Robert Payne]
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SSG Bill McCoy
CPO Arthur Weinberger - I'd have no problem were I a grunt, or as an MP; but when a Corpsman, it just seemed awkward to me.
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We had mail call in boot camp. Mail was delivered to the barracks in my first duty station, Mayport Fl.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend and brother-in-Christ CPO Arthur Weinberger for responding and making us aware that you had mail call in boot camp and you threw the mail. Mail was delivered to the barracks in my first duty station, Mayport Florida.
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FYI CPO Nate S. CPO (Join to see) CPO (Join to see) CPO Scott Smith MCPO Mark Durland MCPO Dianne Eddie SCPO David Lockwood SCPO Del Wolverton SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury SCPO Larry Knight Sr. SCPO Morris Ramsey PO1 John Miller PO1 Robert George PO1 H Gene Lawrence PO1 Kevin Dougherty PO2 (Join to see) PO3 Phyllis Maynard
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When I first got to West Germany, I checked the mail about every day, by my 3rd year, maybe once a month. Only in the field was it delivered.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend SPC Steven Depuy for responding and making us aware that when you stationed at Ayers Kaserne, Germany you "checked the mail about every day, by my 3rd year, maybe once a month. Only in the field was it delivered.'
FYI SPC Margaret Higgins SGM Mikel Dawson SGM Gerald Fife 1SG Michael Blount SFC (Join to see) LTC Wayne Brandon SSG(P) (Join to see) 1LT Peter Duston 1LT Voyle Smith Maj Kim Patterson SPC Woody Bullard
FYI SPC Margaret Higgins SGM Mikel Dawson SGM Gerald Fife 1SG Michael Blount SFC (Join to see) LTC Wayne Brandon SSG(P) (Join to see) 1LT Peter Duston 1LT Voyle Smith Maj Kim Patterson SPC Woody Bullard
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