What should I do after a Sergeant at my AIT Company took my phone and lost it?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 23:19:04 -0400

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2018 11:20 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 23:20:43 -0400

Open door policy. Otherwise, buy a new one.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jun 15 at 2018 11:21 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 23:21:28 -0400

Were you authorized to have a phone?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 15 at 2018 11:49 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 23:49:43 -0400

Do all the norms, call, locator etc. ask the NCO(student or cadre) what he plans to do. If the response is not correct bring it up to the Platoon Sgt. You will need to have proof. Thank you for your service.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2018 6:45 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 06:45:43 -0400

You need to reported. An investigation will be opened and if he is responsible He will be charged. Or you can talk to the NCO and explain that you need your phone back or the replacement.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2018 10:55 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 10:55:30 -0400

Turn them in. It's probably not the first time. When I first arrived at boot camp, a receiving Drill Instructor was busted for stealing and selling recruits' personal effects, shoes specifically.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 16 at 2018 11:11 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 11:11:55 -0400

1. If he took your phone then you probably were out of line at the time. 2. Several phones in a box, box lost- maybe they just don't want you to have your phone back right now. 3. Do you have a locator app on it?. 4. Ask the NCO to either return the phone or verify that it is still secure. If he can't do that, THEN report it to a higher NCO in your chain for action.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2018 11:16 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 11:16:41 -0400

Sue the bastard!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2018 1:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 13:10:10 -0400

Did the SGT in question expressly said that he lost your phone? Bring the issue up to your AIT Platoon SGT/Drill Sergeant and possibly your unit 1SG (through the Open Door Policy).

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 16 at 2018 2:37 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 14:37:24 -0400

What does the SGT say about the predicament?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2018 5:07 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 17:07:46 -0400

If this is a personal phone, it will be more difficult to address (no one is signed for it). You need to complete a sworn statement, and engage the CO via the open door policy. Understand however you are a junior Soldier in a school house setting. In such circumstances, cadre will usually be given the benefit of the doubt over you. You'll have to determine personally just how much time/effort/money this course of action is worth to you before going down the rabbit hole. If you make an accusation, at a minimum, the CO will have to question you and the NCO, obtain sworn statements, and conduct an internal investigation.

Response by 1SG Charles Hunter made Jun 17 at 2018 10:15 AM

1SG Charles Hunter — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 10:15:08 -0400

If the cell phone was ordered surrendered due to unit or installation policy, the unit should have a procedure in place to protect the individuals' property until it is returned. In this case, you can submit a claim against the government for reimbursement. If the "confiscation" was not in accordance with established policy, you have a complaint against the NCO who demanded its surrender.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2018 2:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 14:26:13 -0400

This is sad on so many levels. What have we become?

Response by 1SG Jeremy Evans made Jun 17 at 2018 8:50 PM

1SG Jeremy Evans — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 20:50:49 -0400

I may have missed it but was it your Platoon Sergeant, or one of the CQ NCOs that took it? You’ve been provided the best advice already in using the open door policy if you don’t get an answer on a solution. I was an instructor in your BN and there were policies for both the Platoon Sergeants and CQ NCOs about confiscation and storage of unauthorized personal property. If they’ve failed to secure your phone then something will have to be worked out.

Response by SPC Michael Dillon made Jun 17 at 2018 9:30 PM

SPC Michael Dillon — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 21:30:29 -0400

Did you receive a confiscation form or receipt. If not on paper it didn't happen.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2018 3:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 15:55:52 -0400

Ask him using military bearing, for an update or what’s his plan of action will be in the event they don’t find your phone. Always try to solve at the lowest level first (less paperwork, and BS on everyone). The NCO lost/misplaced the phones and it’s his job to find it. On another note during the duty day at AIT just leave that shit alone and secured in your room, I personally feel it’s a distraction to have it during the duty days, and believe me many more times in your military career you will most likely not be able to access your cell phone (IE, deployments, training exercises, etc). I’m not saying you shouldn’t keep asking about your phone, because he shouldn’t have lost it in the first place. I am saying take not having your phone as a learning experience for the future.

Response by SPC Bryce Ward made Jun 29 at 2018 1:35 PM

SPC Bryce Ward — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 13:35:31 -0400

The NCO who took your phone should’ve provided you with a DA 2062 Hand Receipt. If not, it might be difficult to prove he took it and lost it. Do everything you can think of to locate it. If no results, report through CoC at the lowest level and work up.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2018 5:34 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 05:34:22 -0400

Its obvious your phone got taken away because you where not suppose to have it but that is not the important part right now. If you actually are sure and have confirmed that your Phone is lost, you should report to a higher NCO.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2018 11:32 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 23:32:57 -0400

Deleted by poster.

Response by COL Thom Brooks made Aug 29 at 2018 6:12 PM

COL Thom Brooks — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 18:12:14 -0400

It is first of all a sad state of affairs that young Soldiers have to have their phones confiscated. A terrible sign of the times, as we start to see true phone addiction. If the phone was confiscated by your NCO, he/she took on the responsibility for the phone. If it can't be found and the NCO refuses to replace it, you absolutely need to take it up to the next higher level. BLUF: someone may owe you a replacement.

Response by SGT Jason Daniels made Aug 31 at 2018 11:16 AM

SGT Jason Daniels — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 11:16:51 -0400

The fact that you had a phone in AIT blows my mind. I don't recall tradoc allowing phones during Basic and AIT but I went to ft knox where a phone was pay phone for 7 seconds for 17 weeks ... The good ole days

Response by SGT Larry Cooper made Aug 31 at 2018 11:53 PM

SGT Larry Cooper — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 23:53:18 -0400

Apologize to the NCO for making a nuisance of yourself and creating a distraction.Then assure him that it won’t happen again.Then ask if he will trust you with the phone now.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2018 7:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 19:05:17 -0400

Anyone complaining about cell phones in BCT/AIT has obviously been disconnected from TRADOC for the past 10 years.

Anyone saying you deserved it or were deserving of having a NCO steal your property, is probably a shitty Leader themselves.

I hope by now this has been rectified, but if it hasn't, you need to bring this up to your CO, BN, or even BDE CDR.

As a former Drill Sergeant I can tell you that MANY of those AIT SGTs/PSGs were poor examples of what Leaders should be ...and they have DEFINITELY been found guilty of pulling shady tricks on new Soldiers.

Bottomline, be well versed in your rights. Visit JAG or IG if need be. I'm all about doing what your told and taking your phones the entire time you're training ...but I will NEVER get on board with stealing from Soldiers.

Wrong is wrong.

Response by CPL David Rice made Sep 6 at 2018 8:04 AM

CPL David Rice — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 08:04:54 -0400

Just to be clear you had your phone at AIT and you are allowed to access to the internet? Where was this?

Response by CW3 Tim McCarthy made Sep 7 at 2018 3:20 PM

CW3 Tim McCarthy — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 15:20:46 -0400

Embrace the suck cupcake!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2019 6:21 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 18:21:44 -0500

So what ever happened? Any resolution updates?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2019 9:03 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 21:03:48 -0500

Go to your post claims office and file a claim.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2019 6:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 18:02:02 -0400

Tell the next higher Sergeant.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jun 24 at 2019 11:19 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 11:19:07 -0400

Go to the IG. But if you were in formation and it went off then blow it off. You were a jerk

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 3 at 2019 9:57 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 03 Aug 2019 21:57:25 -0400

As a report of survey officer the NCO will be held liable because he was accountable for the phone.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Oct 16 at 2019 7:46 PM

LTJG Richard Bruce — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 19:46:08 -0400

Learn to live without a cell phone attached to your body. The Greeks, Romans, English, and pre-1970's America built empires without a single cell phone. What value does your cell phone add to your military service?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2020 4:55 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 16:55:33 -0400

Buy a New one.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2021 5:03 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 17:03:25 -0400

Did they have you sign a hand receipt or any kind of paperwork that they took it? I feel like in this day and age they would - and if I was an AIT DS or instructor I'd be documenting anything like that.

If it's truly been lost, report it.