Posted on Jul 15, 2015
LTC Stephen F.
235K
8.9K
1.29K
632
632
0
Eda3fafb
72477ad1
5b7b634a
Bca574be
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
Edited 4 y ago
Avatar feed
See Results
Responses: 377
SFC Automations Ncoic
5
5
0
Been a couple units pre and shortly after post 9/11 that did mail call though it was something of a gag post 9/11. Saw it twice in an FA BN where the unit did not have a mail clerk and the 1SG did mail call at end of day formation for us barracks dwellers. Had a tiny but tight knit S3 shop the first time I was in South Korea from 03-04, we would do an impromptu mail call as well internal to the shop. Had a 1SG bring mail to us while in Afghanistan especially on holidays and birthdays out of sheer morale and love of the troops. Had heard of reports of BN level CSMs while in 173rd who would hop on birds and bring mail to the outlying COPs where dudes were going feral out in Afghanistan as well.
(5)
Comment
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
4 y
Thank you my friend SFC (Join to see) for responding and sharing your experiences with more formal mail call prior to 9-11-2001 and impromptu mail call post 9-11-2001.
I appreciate the detail you included - especially in close-knot groups of soldiers such as the S3 shop in South Korea and the unit 1SG bringing mail on special occasions out to the forward outposts, etc. while you were deployed to Afghanistan.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL LTC Greg Henning SGT Gregory Lawritson SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT John " Mac " McConnell SGT (Join to see) SGT (Join to see) CWO3 (Join to see) PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC (Join to see)1sg-dan-capriSGT Robert R.CPT Tommy CurtisA1C Ian Williams SSgt Boyd Herrst Col Carl Whicker SPC Margaret Higgins
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
CWO3 Dave Alcantara
5
5
0
Had it on board the Ice Breaker. And at Boot Camp.

My favorite though was pay day on the breaker, getting paid in cash. I got my first re-enlistment bonus in cash. Dangerous thing for a 21 year old
(5)
Comment
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
4 y
Thank you, my friend CWO3 Dave Alcantara for responding and letting us know that you had mail call in boot camp and on board an Ice Breaker.
Speaking of bonuses, I remember qualifying and receiving my enlistment bonus at age 18 in 1975. In those days 20% was taken off the top for taxes.
PO2 Jeffery Marcussen Sr LTJG Robert M. PO3 (Join to see) PO2 Jonathan Scharff LCDR (Join to see) CMC Robert Young PO1 John Johnson LTJG Richard BruceSgt Jay JonesCWO3 (Join to see) GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad SPC Americo Garcia Sgt (Join to see) SSgt Terry P. Sgt David G Duchesneau LT John Chang LTJG Josh Thaxton CWO3 Dennis M. CMDCM Gene Treants
(3)
Reply
(0)
CWO3 Dave Alcantara
CWO3 Dave Alcantara
4 y
LTC Stephen F. my reenlistment bonus was $12k in 1980, after taxes I got about $7.5k. The fun came when filing my taxes the next year and learning about income averaging. Since I went from E-1 to E-5 in my first 4 years I didn’t make a whole lot, and I didn’t have a job before, so I got a good haul if my withholding back.
(2)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
Cpl Ryan McGrath
5
5
0
At securing formation, the end of the work day while in garrison. Wasn't actually mail call but that's when we'd get mail most of the time. In Iraq the coc would send a Vic to the platoons and unload those orange mail bags. Simone from each plt would collect as names were called.
(5)
Comment
(0)
SSG Alfred Woods
5
5
0
I also remember, having to stand in line on pay day, in my Dress Greens and reporting to the Pay Officer....lol (Private Woods, Reports for pay Sir!!!)
(5)
Comment
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
4 y
Thank you SSG Alfred Woods for responding and making us aware that you have memories [hopefully] good from mailcall.
Here is a link to the parallel question on paycall
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/who-remembers-pay-call-what-country-ies-did-you-receive-pay-call-in

FYI SP6 Stephen RogersonSSgt Corwin WhickerCPT Paul Whitmer1SG Steven ImermanSSG Samuel Kermon
SP5 Geoffrey VannersonCol Casey "Radio" G.SFC John LichSgt Jackie JuliusSFC Richard WilliamsonSPC Randy ZimmermanSPC Richard (Rick) Henry
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SPC Dwight Turner
5
5
0
oh something you never forgot I don't care !!! during basic was best !! reporting for pay then having traveler checks made out !!! drill instructors where tops on that !!! sure why not best times where your first !!!! I guess somehings we just don't forget !!!
(5)
Comment
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
4 y
Thank you SPC Dwight Turner for responding and making us aware that you remember pay call in basic training.
To be honest the question you posted would fit better at a parallel question.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/who-remembers-pay-call-what-country-ies-did-you-receive-pay-call-in

There people discuss MPCs in Korea, Vietnam, pay currencies OCONUS, cash payments, etc.

FYI SSG Robert Mark OdomSP5 Jesse EngelSPC Matthew LambSSG Robert "Rob" WentworthCapt Rich Buckley
CW4 G.L. SmithSPC Russ BoltonSPC Gordon Rice
PO2 Roger LafarletteSPC Nancy GreeneSSG Franklin Briant1stsgt Glenn BrackinJennifer Lee (Doerflinger) HillSP6 Stephen RogersonSSgt Corwin WhickerCPT Paul Whitmer1SG Steven ImermanSgt Jackie JuliusCol Casey "Radio" G.
(1)
Reply
(0)
MSgt Gilbert Jones
MSgt Gilbert Jones
>1 y
I had pay call from Feb 1960 until Nov 1967. My last one was at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand and my OIC were the lucky ones to have to pass out the money. We were paid with American Currency, and the next day after pay call I had to fly into Tan Son Nhut VT to escort some highly classified equipment. I was sent on VOC orders, and was not suppose to disembark from the aircraft when I arrived. Well some young MP wasn't familiar with the procedures and he made me get off the aircraft even thougth I told him I couldn't. Well before his Sgt arrived my aircraft left going back to Thailand. The next day I went to the cafeteria for lunch. As I said before we were paid in American Currency, and when I pulled out a $20 bill to pay for my lunch the CID agents came out of the woodwork before I could even blink my eyes. Since I didn't have actual orders to show I was only suppose to have been in and out they wanted to lock me up. Can you imagine trying to get out of VN without orders. I tried catching rides with everything flying out even with Air America (CIA) to no avail. After nine days my unit finally got orders to me, that was after my commander wanted me to do some research.
(2)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
1SG Joseph Dartey
5
5
0
I also remember mail call and pay call, especially when we were in the field.
(5)
Comment
(0)
MSgt Gilbert Jones
MSgt Gilbert Jones
>1 y
MSgt Aldi, being in the AF where did you have to stand out in the snow and rain to receive mail? I was in the service for 22 years, stationed at 13 different AF bases and never did I have to stand out in either to receive my mail. We had mail rooms in all the squadrons I was in. The only lines I had to stand in were pay lines up until 1967, and most of them were inside. Also, were you in the reserve because I see your service time was from 1969 to 2010, if I'm counting right that is 41 years, and E-7s could only stay in up to 26th year, or turn 55 whichever came first. That is if you are on active duty.
(1)
Reply
(0)
CPO Arthur Weinberger
CPO Arthur Weinberger
>1 y
MSgt Gilbert Jones - Being in AF is a country club. Your mail is delivered with tea and crumpets. Massages are given afterwards if the mail is disturbing.
(1)
Reply
(0)
MSgt Gilbert Jones
MSgt Gilbert Jones
>1 y
CPO Arthur Weinberger - You could left have out the tea and crumpets. Never had a massage, must have been in the wrong unit. Remember, in the AF you are trained and expected to use your brains, not your feet, that is why it's not as easy to get into the AF. Do they still let individuals join the Army without a HS diploma?
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
PO1 Mike Pulju
4
4
0
I'm still waiting on a package my mother sent me in 1985 when I was deployed on the USS Saratoga.
(4)
Comment
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
1 y
Thank you my friend PO1 Mike Pulju for responding and letting us know that you are still waiting on a "package my mother sent me in 1985 when I was deployed on the USS Saratoga."
(3)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Rob Lawrence
4
4
0
Off the coast of Vietnam, 1972. I am a sailor aboard the USS Newport News CA148. A helicopter approached the Helicopter landing pad on the fan tail. Everyone is watching to what is going to be off loaded. Word spreads there are mail sacks aboard the helicopter. After a bit the word is passed for us cooks to assemble in the galley for mail call. There is no hesitation among us, because mail call is considered to be even more important among us then church services. The reason for this is because nothing brings more comfort then a letter from home. Soon I hear my name called and go up and get my letter. I have a smile on my face, because for the amount of time it takes me to read my letters, I am transported home to a place filled with peace and love. Food and ammo can keep soldiers and sailors on duty, but nothings fills their hearts and souls with hope, like letters from home.
(4)
Comment
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
>1 y
Thank you my friend and brother-in-Christ SSG Rob Lawrence for responding and sharing your thoughts on reading real mail letters
(1)
Reply
(0)
SSG Rob Lawrence
SSG Rob Lawrence
>1 y
LTC Stephen F. I appreciate your comments. This comment was written from the heart and describes exactly the way I feel about mail call. Many things in the military can be judged by using numbers. Mail call can only be judged by how it effects morale and believe me when I say, it always raises morale when mail call happens.
(2)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SP5 Rockland Rhodes
4
4
0
Mail call was an important part of the military especially in Vietnam. The mail would be flown out to us in the field about once a week. Most of the letters I wrote home were saved and have been a very useful resource to help myself and guys in my unit validate our ware experiences. On a sad note, I never received a letter from a girl that had been part of my life before the Army. I located her about 40 years later. She was thrilled to hear from me and we enjoyed 9 years before she passed away from lung cancer. Today's military is completely different. Instant communications..
(4)
Comment
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
2 y
Thank you my friend [~1920429 Rockland Rhodes] for making us aware that for you "ail call was an important part of the military especially in Vietnam. The mail would be flown out to us in the field about once a week." I am glad to learn that most of the letters you wrote home "were saved and have been a very useful resource to help myself and guys in my unit validate our experiences as soldiers in Vietnam.'
I am thankful that you were able to locate the girl who meant so much to you [although it took almost 40 years]. It is wonderful that you reconnected and were able to enjoy 9 years together before she passed away for lung cancer.'
I expect that you like me appreciate written letters.
FYI SFC William Farrell CSM Charles Hayden SGT Mary G. 1LT Voyle Smith SPC Margaret Higgins SFC Armando Sanchez PO3 Phyllis Maynard 1LT Sandy Annala Col (Join to see) CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw SFC (Join to see) MAJ Bob MiyagishimaSPC Lyle Montgomery SGT Tiffanie G. MAJ Roland McDonald 1SG Joseph Dartey SGM Gerald Fife CWO4 Terrence Clark CPL Ronald Keyes Jr
(2)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
MSG Louis Alexander
4
4
0
I fondly remember those times. The mail clerk hunting you down when you come in from patrol etc.
(4)
Comment
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
2 y
Thank you for responding my brother-in-arms MSG Louis Alexander and letting us know when you came into the base camp from patrols, etc the mail clerk searched for you to ensure you received your mail.
I expect that mail clerk has goo memories of delivering mail and bad memories of undelivered mail for soldiers killed in action.
FYI MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SGM Gerald Fife CSM Charles Hayden PO3 Edward RiddleSSG Bill McCoy LTC Wayne Brandon SFC William Farrell CPT Jack Durish CWO4 Terrence ClarkSGT Ed Matyjasik SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D PO3 Charles Streich SPC Michael Terrell SFC Jim Ruether CWO3 Dennis M.SPC Steven DepuyLTC David Stark SPC Jeff Daley, PhD Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close