Thoughts on Mandatory Issued Govt Cell-Phones for All

I think the Government would end up either paying for...or issuing statements of charges for tons of data overages.

Sir:

On one hand, it would solve the issue of Junior Enlisted who claim that since the Army doesn't pay for their personal mobile devices, they do not have to carry it or answer certain calls (from supervisors). If the phones were GPS tracked (which I have no doubt they would be for both accountability and personnel tracking) it would cut down on Soldiers claiming to be one place when they are somewhere else. (Note: I am NOT in favor of anyone being tracked by the gov't.)

On the other hand, having just completed my assignment supporting UFG 2014, I was issued a gov't mobile phone. I didn't like it. It had a different charging system than my personal phone (so I had to drag along an additional charger), it was additional piece of gear that I had to carry, and sometimes the NCOIC would call me on my personal phone to tell me to call him on the gov't phone (I was thinking, WTF, just tell me what you have to tell me, as I am already talking to you!)

I think the best solution would be to give Soldiers a mobile communication allowance each month, like the gov't does with BAH for housing, or BAS for groceries. That way, leaders can say that since the Soldier is receiving money to pay for a mobile commo device, the Army IS paying for their phone, and they MUST answer it and have it on them. This will likely save the Army money that would be spent on (usually overpriced) phones. There would be less hassle with trying to keep accountability of gov't property, and Soldiers tend to take care of their own property better than gov't property (although I know that is not a hard and fast rule.)

So perhaps the Army can figure out a monthly allowance for mobile communication devices. I think this is the best solution between tracking Soldiers and issuing gov't property to every Soldier.

So where's my Bronze Star?

I object too. The project is way too costly for at least half a million SMs. Frequent break downs, maintenance costs, and tremendous room for abuse. Not to mention 'big brother' stigma or evolution to this:

I'm more of a fan of a mandatory disconnect. Even without a government issued phone (I turned my in about a year ago when the Army cut a large portion of the BBs out there after a black-eye from a DoD IG report), I'm too connected at home with smart-phones, EE OWA, etc.

Leadership is TOO connected at times. Power down and allow 1st line/2nd line leaders to react to a situation and handle it at their level before you call me with stuff that should have never come onto my radar screen.

I can just see how that would go.

Let's say there's some sort of swingers' convention going on, and a member with one of these phones goes there for the weekend, when they're off duty. Someone with an axe to grind could get them charged with adultery, even if they went there WITH their spouse.

I live in Alexandria VA, and most of my relatives live within a 50 mile radius of Providence, RI.... if I were still active duty, I could see me walking in Monday morning to a supervisor saying "So, Chief, how was your weekend with the family? I see you went to Rhode Island this past weekend." Oh HELL no!

Hi, Captain.

Everyone already has a cell phone and an email account. And it’s getting harder and harder to find a “dumb” cell phone; one incapable of receiving e-mail or detailed text messages. Why not just leverage the architecture already in place, instead of building a new one?

"Resistance it futile" we are Borg, err, DoD.

Don't know how you would justify it with all the reductions happening. Need to figure out how to keep all the good individuals that we are losing first and foremost. I think everyone that needs one for the most part has one.

Nothing is given for free to all hard working and taxpayers Americans, specially by the government. Another way to track and control.

Didn't the SCOTUS rule that civilians had to be compensated for answering work related calls after their duty day? I wonder how (if at all) that would apply to the military. I know we are technically obligated to be available 24/7 so maybe I am answering my own question. However, as rare as it is, it is great when you don't have to bring work home with you. I know that also depends on your specific duties. I also understand the government pays a huge amount of money for "work" BBs and cell phones.