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
Communications
Military History
Troops
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 376
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Oh yes I do LTC Stephen F.. Good times and good memories!!! And, I remember getting my ass kicked at OSUT and OCS for getting so much mail... A nice problem to have indeed. I shared my letters, from girlfriend (now my wife) at OSUT with some of my buddies. I also remember pay call, which ended shortly after I left OSUT (1 Oct 80 - 15 Feb 81).
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LTC Stephen F.
Thanks for sharing your memories COL Charles Williams. We still has pay call in Germany in the early 1980s as I served as pay officer in the infantry battalion I was assigned in to at least 1983. COL Charles Williams
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I remember Mail Call in Basic Training in the 90's. It wasn't fun being the DS would make fun of you, and if it was a care package, you'd have to open it up and share. Heaven help you if the letter had perfume on it. In Bosnia I remember having it too. But at least this time I got to eat what was sent to me. And in Afghanistan, we were very remote so ANYONE getting mail was an event in itself. Eventually we got slow internet, but that didn't take away the excitement from when snailmail came in.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you providing a short history of your mail call experience SSG Warren Swan :-)
It is good to know that receiving snail mail is still an exciting experience not just for the one who receives it but for his friends.
It is good to know that receiving snail mail is still an exciting experience not just for the one who receives it but for his friends.
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I started getting perfumed letters from my girlfriend in Germany in 1972. At mail call one day I must have been told by at least 20 different people in the company that I had received another perfumed letter from my girlfriend or could they smell the perfumed letter that they heard I just got from my girlfriend.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend CPT Earl George for making us aware that you started to receive perfumed letters from your girlfriend in 1972 and that many soldiers in your company took notice [based on sense of smell no doubt]. Based on what you related it may have been rare for soldiers in your unit to receive perfumed letters else she sent uniquely perfumed letters to you :-)
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FYI SPC Margaret Higgins SPC Nancy Greene CPL Dave Hoover SGT Steve McFarland SMSgt David A Asbury SGT (Join to see) COL Mikel J. Burroughs SPC Kerry Good1st Lt Rick GauthierSgt (Join to see)CPL Douglas ChryslerCPO John BjorgeSPC Michael TerrellPO1 Steve Ditto1LT Ernest ChambleeSSG Jimmy CernichSSG Robert Pratt
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When I first joined the Army in 1978, we had mail-call only when we were in the field. When I went back as a Chaplain in 2001, only when we were deployed did we have mail-call.
My assistant in Afghanistan seemed to be getting jealous of all the mail I received (I was getting mail from churches, organizations that wanted to get stuff to the Troops, etc.), my name was called more than anyone else's. So one day I took an empty box, put a piece of candy in the bottom, along with a New Testament, and a comb (he was bald). I the bottom of the "package" I stuck a note, "Man Up! and Quit Whining!" I then proceeded to give it to the mailroom sergeant and explained what I was doing. After laughing so hard, he put the package with the mail the next day. When my assistant's name was called, he was beyond ecstatic, especially given that particular day I received only one letter! He was bragging about his package so much, he failed to realize the box had a file label over the original address and was taped with a different tape on the top than the rest of the package. It was very hard for me to keep a straight face until he opened it! His joy quickly turned to confusion, especially when he saw the note! It didn't take long for the entire HHQ to learn what happened. He never complained about mail again!
My assistant in Afghanistan seemed to be getting jealous of all the mail I received (I was getting mail from churches, organizations that wanted to get stuff to the Troops, etc.), my name was called more than anyone else's. So one day I took an empty box, put a piece of candy in the bottom, along with a New Testament, and a comb (he was bald). I the bottom of the "package" I stuck a note, "Man Up! and Quit Whining!" I then proceeded to give it to the mailroom sergeant and explained what I was doing. After laughing so hard, he put the package with the mail the next day. When my assistant's name was called, he was beyond ecstatic, especially given that particular day I received only one letter! He was bragging about his package so much, he failed to realize the box had a file label over the original address and was taped with a different tape on the top than the rest of the package. It was very hard for me to keep a straight face until he opened it! His joy quickly turned to confusion, especially when he saw the note! It didn't take long for the entire HHQ to learn what happened. He never complained about mail again!
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner for responding and making us aware that when you first enlisted in 1978 you only had mail-call only when you were in the field.
And later when you were commissioned as a Chaplain in 2001 the only time when you had mail call was when you deployed.
You're detailed recounting of your response to the jealousy of your Chaplain's assistant while deployed to Afghanistan was very interesting :-)
The LORD reminded me:-)
Romans 12:19-21 ESV "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs PO1 H Gene Lawrence CH (MAJ) William Beaver SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. LTC Wayne Brandon LTC (Join to see) SSG William Jones SSG Franklin Briant SPC Nancy Greene CPT Paul Whitmer Maj Marty Hogan SP5 Mark Kuzinski TSgt Joe C. SGT (Join to see) Cynthia Croft
And later when you were commissioned as a Chaplain in 2001 the only time when you had mail call was when you deployed.
You're detailed recounting of your response to the jealousy of your Chaplain's assistant while deployed to Afghanistan was very interesting :-)
The LORD reminded me:-)
Romans 12:19-21 ESV "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs PO1 H Gene Lawrence CH (MAJ) William Beaver SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. LTC Wayne Brandon LTC (Join to see) SSG William Jones SSG Franklin Briant SPC Nancy Greene CPT Paul Whitmer Maj Marty Hogan SP5 Mark Kuzinski TSgt Joe C. SGT (Join to see) Cynthia Croft
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MSG Felipe De Leon Brown
Your story about your assistant is hilarious. I love it! I doubt that the Almighty could ever hold this against you. In fact, I would bet that even God had to laugh at your initiative.
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In Basic training back in '82. Our mail room was broken into. Most of the mail was located. My girlfriend had sent a care package, that was found with the stolen mail. She had included a mushy letter. When Drill Sgt returned the box, he called me by her pet name she calls me. EMBARRASSING!
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you, my responding SSG Mark Zbrudzewski for responding and letting us know that while you were in basic combat training in 1982 the mail room was broken into. The care package from your girlfriend was recovered and it seems your drill sergeant inspected the package since he called you by your girlfriend's pet name for the rest of the cycle. :-)
I can imagine that was embarrassing. I expect you told your girlfriend about that incident and how you were embarrassed.
When I was in BCT at Fort Leonard Wood [November 1974 to January 1975], my drill sergeant was SSG Ford, he frequently made me aware that I was an insult to the Ford family :-)
FYI SP5 Jeannie CarleSPC Chris Bayner-CwikTSgt David L.PO1 Robert GeorgeSPC Matthew LambSSG Robert "Rob" WentworthSFC Terry WilcoxPO2 Roger LafarletteSPC Nancy GreeneSSG Franklin Briant1stsgt Glenn BrackinJennifer Lee (Doerflinger) HillSP6 Stephen RogersonSSgt Corwin WhickerCPT Paul Whitmer COL Mikel J. Burroughs SSG William Jones
I can imagine that was embarrassing. I expect you told your girlfriend about that incident and how you were embarrassed.
When I was in BCT at Fort Leonard Wood [November 1974 to January 1975], my drill sergeant was SSG Ford, he frequently made me aware that I was an insult to the Ford family :-)
FYI SP5 Jeannie CarleSPC Chris Bayner-CwikTSgt David L.PO1 Robert GeorgeSPC Matthew LambSSG Robert "Rob" WentworthSFC Terry WilcoxPO2 Roger LafarletteSPC Nancy GreeneSSG Franklin Briant1stsgt Glenn BrackinJennifer Lee (Doerflinger) HillSP6 Stephen RogersonSSgt Corwin WhickerCPT Paul Whitmer COL Mikel J. Burroughs SSG William Jones
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I remember that ,and reporting to the company commander and first sargent for my pay , where you walked in the orderly room saluted reported for pay and the CO. Counted out your cash ,you signed the log and Top set there with a 1911 ,cocked and locked ..That and I drew a whopping $78.oo a month after my one allotment
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you SSG Michael Needham for responding and making us aware that you remember reporting to your company commander and first sergeant for pay as you "walked in the orderly room saluted reported for pay and the CO. Counted out your cash, you signed the log and Top set there with a 1911 ,cocked and locked ..That and I drew a whopping $78.oo a month after my one allotment"
Who remembers pay call? What country(ies) did you receive pay call in?
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/who-remembers-pay-call-what-country-ies-did-you-receive-pay-call-in
Who remembers pay call? What country(ies) did you receive pay call in?
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/who-remembers-pay-call-what-country-ies-did-you-receive-pay-call-in
Who remembers pay call? What country(ies) did you receive pay call in? | RallyPoint
I remember pay call while being stationed in Bamberg, Germany in the early 1980's. I think pay call was only used for forces stationed overseas [expect that includes all Navy vessels as well] where a choice of currency to receive your pay made sense. Pay call made sense when many service members did not have direct deposit for their salary. I don't know if pay call still exists and where it is used. [Update July 19] I was an infantry training...
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you, my friend SSgt Terry P. for responding. Did you have mail call abroad ship as well as on ground?
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FYI Capt Tom Brown SSgt Gary Andrews Cpl Gabriel F. Sgt David G Duchesneau Cpl (Join to see) Sgt Joe LaBranche Sgt (Join to see) Cpl (Join to see) LCpl (Join to see) Cpl Craig Marton SSgt Robert Marx GySgt Bryan A. McGown "Gunny" MGySgt Michael P. McNeal, MBA Cpl Casey Meyer Sgt James Morse LCpl Thomas Osmon SSgt Terry P. GySgt H.E. (Trey) Salmon III
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I still remember mail call in the mid to late 80's and I hated it! Why? Look at my last name! lol
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
Bad timing Pvt Zehner ! You needed. To be born sooner, in at a earlier time and in the right service (AF)... well stuff does or doesn’t happen !
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
Flight chief went through and started from the back Of the stack.. sometimes.. PVT Mark Zehner That worked out good s’times for them guys.
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As the names were called there was often an "Alphabets!" That was the person with a long, hard to pronounce name.
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CMDCM Gene Treants
You would think - if you looked carefully that TREE - ANTS would be good but NOPE! trees, treezs, treazs, treepez, hey you, Greek, etc were all the most common ones. They were - or may we were all Lucky it wasn't the Original Tre-Ana- Dopalous that my grandfather came across with
LOL!
LOL!
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CMDCM Gene Treants
PO3 Bob McCord - That was exactly the way Mail Call worked n all the ships I was on too Bob.
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Who remembers being assigned the Mail Bouy Watch? MCPO Roger Collins PO3 Bob McCord SCPO Larry Knight Sr. PO2 Brian Rhodes PO3 Steven Sherrill @
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding my friend SCPO Morris Ramsey
FYI do you remember being assigned the Mail Bouy Watch? PO2 Jeremy Spears PO2 Lester Sullivan CPO Nate S.PO3 Shaun Taylor LTJG Josh ThaxtonCMDCM Gene Treants SN Alex TufailPO3 John WagnerPO2 (Join to see)
PO3 (Join to see) CPO (Join to see)LCDR (Join to see) SCPO Del WolvertonFN George WoodruffSN Greg WrightCMC Robert YoungPO2 Tim ZemanSN Ron Jett
FYI do you remember being assigned the Mail Bouy Watch? PO2 Jeremy Spears PO2 Lester Sullivan CPO Nate S.PO3 Shaun Taylor LTJG Josh ThaxtonCMDCM Gene Treants SN Alex TufailPO3 John WagnerPO2 (Join to see)
PO3 (Join to see) CPO (Join to see)LCDR (Join to see) SCPO Del WolvertonFN George WoodruffSN Greg WrightCMC Robert YoungPO2 Tim ZemanSN Ron Jett
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PO1 Robert George
Managed to dodge that one! On an LST you also had keys to the stern gate and keys to the bow doors. There was also ?? feet of shore line so we could beach. One of the best was actually done by the CO of the 'T' I was on when we crossed the International Date Line. Had me break out a case Sea Dye Marker and drop off fantail at intervals then had the ship do a long slow turn and come back around. Passed the word over !MC that we were about to cross the Int'l Date Line and anyone who wished to see it should lay to the fo'c'sle. Had a kid run up with a tripod, a Nikon 35mm and a telephoto lens that was at least 2 feet long. Got set up...and there it was! A nice long line of green dashes on the ocean surface! Must have used a whole roll of film. Got told later the Old Man was on TopConn laughing his butt off.
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