Can soldiers have their cell phones to communicate with family?

Question

My husband is currently in Infantry training and his only means of communication with me by writing letters. I love to receive them and get really excited. (got one today). I just wish he would write more then his "usual one and a half pages. He's a man of few words lol lol. In the coming weeks he will be getting telephone priveleges, I believe on Sundays. They took away his cell phone. My question is when he is given his full time assignment after training will he be allowed to use his cell phone to call me and his parents? I wanted to live with him but that won't be feasible at this time because we will have a newborn baby and it's better to remain at home. My mother in law has offered to allow me to stay at her house and actually I'm doing that now, and really enjoying it there. She lets me use one of her cars to drive to my college classes. At night I sleep in Jamies' room and can cuddle to one of his stuffed animals (I miss him so much!). How about later when deployed?

Answer 1

My stepson was allowed his cellphone after AIT. But when he deploys 10/28 he has to leave it here; there's no cell service where he's going (or rather it's very spotty and quite expensive) and the unsecured device could present a security breach.

Answer 2

First off welcome to the roller coaster ride called military wife!!

Secondly, yes he will get his cell phone back after he finishes training. He can use it but that doesn't mean he will always have it on or answer it. Can't have them on in formation, meetings, etc. When he's deployed (I assume you mean to Iraq/Afghanistan) he can take it but it won't work unless it's a triband with an Iraqi/Afghani chip or a satalite. There are phones downrange just usually a line - most guys can call home once a week or so but it just depends on where he's at.

Thirdly, Please don't take this the wrong way but why isn't it feasible? You're a family now and you belong together. I think it's Awesome your family is willing to take care of you but the best way for you to learn about the military as well as become a true couple is to be together. Lots of military wives have babies on their own or have little ones and travel while Daddy's gone, etc. Depending on where he will be stationed you may get housing fairly quickly - it's a headache, it can be scary but it is also an adventure to travel on TOGETHER.

You can also check out http://www.myarmylifetoo.com for info/training,etc.

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

During initial training all soldiers have their cell phones taken away. After he finishes with his training he will get his cell phone back.

When your husband deploys his cell phone will not work in Iraq/Afghanistan. At least it should not, there are rare occasions when people still get service, but don't use it because of the roaming charges. Depending on where he is stationed, will determine what means of communication will be best for him in Iraq/Afghanistan.

Answer 4

Sorry, but no cell phones in training. This is a standard rule for initial military training. After the initial training and on full time assignment he will get his cell phone back and will be able to call you whenever he is not on duty (just like a civilian job).
As for deployments, soldiers are often deployed to places cell phones don't work. They use special centers to coordinate phone calls back to the US-- generally two 30 minute calls. It's not much, just enough to check in and say I love you, but it helps. Good luck with your husband and military matters, I cantell you from experience it gets easier!

Answer 5

Yes, after your husband finishes his Infantry training he will be allowed to use his cell phone any time he pleases. However, if he is deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan his cell phone will not work over there. There are satelite phones that can call from anywhere in the world but they are very expensive. Most bases over there have free phones available but there are always long waiting lines for them. Im sure that he will call you whenever he has the time to wait for a phone.

Answer 6

Once he finishes his OSUT infantry training he WILL be allowed to have his cell phone again. Once he makes it to his permanent duty station he can do virtually whatever he wants, you will have your life back again, except you will be living somewhere else. As far as having a cell in Iraq it just depends on the Unit and the base you are deployed to over there, communications over there are getting better and better, and if you can not talk on the phone much he should have internet too.

Answer 7

After he gets to his permanent duty station the military is just like any other job, he can basically do what he wants for the most part. If he deploys, even if he brought his cell phone with him it wouldn't work. American Cell phones for the most part don't work overseas. I've seen people get satellite phones when they deployed to certain areas, but these are incredibly expensive and not worth it.

Answer 8

When he gets to his first perm. duty station, he'll be able to have a personal cell phone. He probably won't be allowed to carry it during working hours though. When he's deployed, he probably won't be able to use his cell phone unless he's TDY to a regular base. You can't bring cell phones into the field, unless something's changed recently.
Its good you get along with your mother in law. Its much easier to make it through deployments when you have family to help you out!

Answer 9

After he is finished all his training, he will be allowed a cell phone. He will not be allowed to have it on (and depending on his job, may not even be allowed to carry it with him) while on duty. However, once he deployes the phone will be useless. There is no service available to support the phones. He will be able to call..usually once a week...for a limited amount of time. He will be able to access email, depending on where he is and will be able to write and recieve mail.

Answer 10

I assume he is in OSUT? if so, he may not get cellphone privileges at all. If he does, it will be towards the end of training. Keep in mind that all phone calls must be earned, and if one person in his cadre screws up, everybody suffers.

once he gets assigned to a Permanent Duty station, he can have it back. as for deployment.. cellphones are typically NOT allowed, as they are being used to trigger IEDs.