Well, I don't know if things in WWII were like 1970's basic training. We'd have mail call, and our TI (Training Instructor) would read the names off the envelopes, and hand out the mail. She'd also read the acronyms people wrote - out loud and with a translation. I think the guys who wrote them thought they were being sneaky.

It's funny - I can figure out (well, get close, anyway) most of Spud's acronyms, but I don't have a clue what CHINA MALTA and LONDON are.