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

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.

Were you authorized to have a phone?

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.

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.

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.

Open door policy. Otherwise, buy a new one.

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.

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.

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.

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.