George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 96 text:

Mail Call! Mail Call! During a six-month deployment, mail is nearly as important as oxygen to Sailors. At times, the rigors of extended work days and intensive training not to mention the sensory deprivation of underway life -- begin to take their toll on a Sailor’s morale. During those times, contact with a loved one can be just the thing to help maintain one’s sanity. The members of S-12 Division, otherwise known as GW's “Postal Posse, work tirelessly getting the outgoing mail off the ship, and make a concerted effort to make the incoming mail available as soon as possible. Even though GW’s technological advancements make it possible to reach loved ones by phone, the sentimental value of mail endures because, unlike a phone call, it can be experienced over and over again. The “Posse members are well aware of the importance of mail to a Sailor’s mental well-being. They are, after all, Sailors themselves. 92 Mail Call'