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 >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 376
This is a pretty old post -- However, I do recall mail call... The last time I recall it was in the preassignment center (Charger Academy) for the 196th Infantry Brigade in Vietnam. The mail clerk found great amusement in calling Specialist Darling's name -- DARLING RICHARD!
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As an enlisted Marine I looked forward to MAIL CALL. That connection to home was important. After my commissioning, I was assigned additional duties as a junior officer for the unit while serving overseas. One such position was Postal Officer. Realizing how important MAIL CALL was to moral,
I took these duties very serious. I appointed squared away Marines to assist me and monitored the daily event to ensure all went well. It was always a pleasure to see MARINES react to getting mail, magazines and newspapers from home. Semper Fi to all of my fellow Veterans. Be safe, be smart and be strong.
I took these duties very serious. I appointed squared away Marines to assist me and monitored the daily event to ensure all went well. It was always a pleasure to see MARINES react to getting mail, magazines and newspapers from home. Semper Fi to all of my fellow Veterans. Be safe, be smart and be strong.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend Capt Rory Fitzgerald for responding and letting us know that as an enlisted Marine you looked forward to mail call and 'that connection to home was important.' Thanks as well for letting us know that you served as a postal officer realizing how mail call was important to morale.
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yes I remember having Mail call, and payday liberty , I remember mail call & Payday Liberty being big Morale boosters , but it could also kill your Morale, if you did not receive a letter from home,
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend CPO Kurt Baschab for responding and letting us know that you "remember mail call & Payday Liberty being big Morale boosters , but it could also kill your Morale, if you did not receive a letter from home'
FYI here is my other question who remembers pay call and what countries did you receive pay call in?
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/who-remembers-pay-call-what-country-ies-did-you-receive-pay-call-in
FYI here is my other question who remembers pay call and what countries did you receive pay call in?
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/who-remembers-pay-call-what-country-ies-did-you-receive-pay-call-in
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Yes. I also, in Germany with the 3AD, did a turn as Paymaster Guard/Driver for the division after I made E5.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend SP5 Douglas Murphy for responding and letting us know that you remember pay call and that while assigned to 3rd Armored division you "did a turn as Paymaster Guard/Driver for the division after I made E5.'
FYI here is my other question who remembers pay call and what countries did you receive pay call in?
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/who-remembers-pay-call-what-country-ies-did-you-receive-pay-call-in
FYI here is my other question who remembers pay call and what countries did you receive pay call in?
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/who-remembers-pay-call-what-country-ies-did-you-receive-pay-call-in
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I only had mail call during basic and AIT, and it was delivered "air mail". Once I signed into my unit at Ft. Ord, CA I was given a PO box at the unit mailroom
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend SGT Joseph Dutton for responding and letting know that you like me consider mail call to be a morale booster
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