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Everyone has had one issue or another with cell phones in a deployed environment, but it's a reality of everyday life right now. There is benefit in "unplugging" and focusing on training without the distraction of the internet. All CTC's ban cell phones in the "box" since it poses a security threat and it becomes the go-to communication method versus using our MTOE equipment. Should we generally ban cell phone usage in the field for those reasons or are we just tilting at windmills?
Posted in these groups: 
Cell Phones
Training
Cell Phones Training
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 54
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I personally never been in the field or even near one for that matter but in my own personal feelings that some on a phone could miss a IED or could get not only him/herself killed but also other personal. I mean its a law not to use your phone and drive so common sense would suggest that if your attention in car is fully needed then in the military you should keep you military bearing and attention on the task at hand. If i offend any one with this post i apologize not for my opinion but that it offends you.
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I think it much of an issue. I am deployed and I have two cells. I have a local cell and my personal cell. I don't use it for anything much more then a question or a "Hey, I'll meet you at the TOC" kind of thing. It can be used as an assent. I have an MBITR but I don't leave it on 24/7.
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Sir,
Cellphones have come a long way... No doubt we all have them on 24/7 and use them to communicate effectively... But given the amount of security threats in the Cyber world today, with phones turning into listening devices, recording locations when you take a picture, uploading everything to a cloud, doing things without telling you, key loggers... And being really annoying when I am trying to train soldiers in the field... I have one word.
NO.
v/r
SGT Peaslee
Cellphones have come a long way... No doubt we all have them on 24/7 and use them to communicate effectively... But given the amount of security threats in the Cyber world today, with phones turning into listening devices, recording locations when you take a picture, uploading everything to a cloud, doing things without telling you, key loggers... And being really annoying when I am trying to train soldiers in the field... I have one word.
NO.
v/r
SGT Peaslee
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Until they develop a milspec cell phone, no.
In an emergency, the first thing to fail in a real contingency is the cellular system as it becomes saturated.
They really can't be adequately secured, if not for traffic, for location.
In training, if you learn to rely on it, you'll be lost when you cannot use it.
There simply isn't sufficient coverage in the real world where we might be expected to operate to support the use.
That said, if you haven't got one in your back pocket in any training environment as a hold out in a real-world emergency, I'd call you negligent.
In an emergency, the first thing to fail in a real contingency is the cellular system as it becomes saturated.
They really can't be adequately secured, if not for traffic, for location.
In training, if you learn to rely on it, you'll be lost when you cannot use it.
There simply isn't sufficient coverage in the real world where we might be expected to operate to support the use.
That said, if you haven't got one in your back pocket in any training environment as a hold out in a real-world emergency, I'd call you negligent.
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In the 80's and and early 90's when I was in cell phones were pretty much something that ,with few exceptions, only wealthy people had and the Army worked just fine without them. Frankly, I'm surprised if they are allowed in the field, or if they are, I would think that there should be some pretty hard & fast rules about when and why they can be used.
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COL (Join to see)
Yeah, hard to carry something the size of a brick around in your cargo pocket in the 80's. I prefer to limit their use versus restrict them all together. Making absolute rules puts Commanders in a bad spot...it's also very hard to enfoce, since everyone has one and its use isn't seen as a horrible breach of the rules now days. At the CTC's that's different. You will get your cell phone crushed...literally.
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Sir,
In my opinion the expediency of a cell phone comes at a price. Anyone can essentially reach out and communicate with a subordinate at any time. While this has obvious benefits, it also can lead to a lot of "hey you's."I remember one particular IDT weekend our CSM was wearing my 1SG out. My 1SG spent most of the first day on the phone or at BN HQ. It got to the point where it was affecting his ability to perform his duties. The entire BN was running ranges and the 1SGs were getting raked over the coals about admin requirements.
The second day I ordered my 1SG to turn his phone off and go qualify at the rifle range. At first he was apprehensive until he realized I'd just given him a reprieve. The CSM wasn't very happy with me for a couple hours, but somehow what he needed still got done. My 1SG also came back in a much better mood.
In short, I think there needs to be a level of discipline when using cell phones in the field. Not being in constant contact isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes subordinates need a little breathing room to exercise disciplined indicative and focus on the task at hand.
In my opinion the expediency of a cell phone comes at a price. Anyone can essentially reach out and communicate with a subordinate at any time. While this has obvious benefits, it also can lead to a lot of "hey you's."I remember one particular IDT weekend our CSM was wearing my 1SG out. My 1SG spent most of the first day on the phone or at BN HQ. It got to the point where it was affecting his ability to perform his duties. The entire BN was running ranges and the 1SGs were getting raked over the coals about admin requirements.
The second day I ordered my 1SG to turn his phone off and go qualify at the rifle range. At first he was apprehensive until he realized I'd just given him a reprieve. The CSM wasn't very happy with me for a couple hours, but somehow what he needed still got done. My 1SG also came back in a much better mood.
In short, I think there needs to be a level of discipline when using cell phones in the field. Not being in constant contact isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes subordinates need a little breathing room to exercise disciplined indicative and focus on the task at hand.
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COL (Join to see)
You bring up some good points, CPT Goenner. The proliferation of handheld mobile devices has improved our ability to communicate in many ways. That being said, we have the capability to establish tactical communications during training and in garrison that mirrors that capability AND provides training opportunity for our low density MOS as well as the users. Obviously, you had to have a radio at the range. You have to work on your vehicles at some point during drill and hopefully all your radios are mounted and connected and the system is functional in most of them. I've haven't done it myself, but I have seen Commanders make everyone turn in their cell phones until their commo got fully mission capable in the motorpool. I've never seen communications come up so quickly. Something to think about. When I was a young 2LT cell phones weren't a thing. Somehow, we managed to keep track of everyone and get everything done. I am certainly not entertaining the idea of going back to the stone age, but I think there is merit in forcing the functions. Shoot, move and COMMUNICATE...right?
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No cellphones should ever be in the field, unless you can shoot bullets out of it. Too many people rely on their smartphones and that impedes ones focus on the task at hand. I'd much rather be in the foxhole alone than with someone who used a stress card in BCT and one who couldn't separate himself from a damn cell phone. I'm not liking the picture that's being drawn here.
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I am seeing so many people who have no idea how cell phones work. The signal from you to the tower has encryption, very good encryption. And those people who are "the best hackers ever" do not have the means that the US does in terms of location targeting. Furthermore, location based off cell phones is highly inaccurate and updates infrequently. The only "location data" most of you are thinking of is from people who UPDATE their location when they go somewhere like Denny's or some crap. Those places have pinpoint locations. Cell towers, do NOT give pinpoint locations. Not saying be wonton with cellphones whenever wherever, but don't be so paranoid as the think the enemy is implanting alien waves into your brain and making you praise lord Cthulu via your cell phone.
How I know these things: IT'S WHAT I DO.
How I know these things: IT'S WHAT I DO.
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SPC (Join to see)
A relative idea of where the signal is originating. It Depends on a lot of factors how accurate the location is. Especially in a deployed environment, it could get your entire element killed.
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COL (Join to see)
Aaron, I am not a signaleer so I can't talk specifics. I understand general principles. I am however aware of the capabilities of a military intelligence company and the electro-magnetic detection capabilities it has at the tactical level. It is significant. That's just what resides at the brigade level. The levels above that are even more impressive. Obviously I can't discuss those capabilities here, but we can locate the general location of cell phones. When I say general...I mean that we can kill it with artillery at that point.
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I think its an alternative for communication. If all other systems fail due to improper installation, user error or simple misconfigurations. Sometimes, equipment fails. But if this happens, Soldiers can use their cellphones to "phone a friend". But I can see the flip side to this. We need to train our Soldiers to know how to troubleshoot communications systems and properly identify issues and how to fix them. Great question COL (Join to see)
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