Civillian Cel Phones in Op Orders?

SGT Donald Croswhite — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 12:52:57 -0400

A recent OPORD had personelly owned cell phones as a thrid communication option. Not only were platoon sergeant cell phones adressed, but checking with lower enlisted cell phone carriers for coverage area was also adressed. Is the Army taking advantage of readily-available-nonissued equipment?

Response by CPT Brandon Christensen made Mar 20 at 2014 1:33 PM

CPT Brandon Christensen — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 13:33:14 -0400

I think we are.

When I write my OPORDS for my convoys or for typical movement in garrison/field environment for training, I usually leave out the cell phone option. My thought process is if another war to happen, are we going to have cell phones to communicate with one another? Nope. Train as you fight. I stress to my PSG's that we need to go back to our basic soldier skills and work on those. ie hand signals, radios, etc.