Will I be able to text my friends and family at some point during boot camp?

Thomas OReilly — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 10:20:41 -0400

When I was searching this up, a lot of people were saying to bring a pen and paper with some envelopes and stamps. Something about getting your mind off things, but for me, I have always been sort of a huge typer. I can write neat and all this, but I dont like to do it always, which is what I think I would be doing. Some of you guys might think this is a stupid question, or even a dumb thing to ask. But I just have to know, I don't want to be that one guy to go to boot camp and bring my; phone, pillow, etc. and the DS tell me to leave it or whatever. I also know some of you will tell me to talk to a recruiter, which, I need to. I just haven't had time to with my job, and on top of that my family has been sick. They are starting to feel better though. Anyway, if anyone has an opinion, or an answer please help me out. I really appreciate it!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2019 10:32 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 10:32:16 -0400

The only way to know for sure if you can text family while in Basic Training will be if your Drill Sergeants let you have access to your phone. And the only way to know that is to find out when you get there. Everyone here on RP won't know what the policy is for your Basic Training Company. This is going to be a sit and wait kind of situation for you. In the mean time....pack those pens, paper, envelops and stamps.

Response by SPC William Simmonds, Esq. made Apr 29 at 2019 11:18 AM

SPC William Simmonds, Esq. — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 11:18:21 -0400

Agree re: everything everybody has already said. However, my two cents:

You’re likely not going to have access to your phone. And, frankly, you really don’t want it. Use the time away from tech and family to transform yourself—that is what basic training is all about. Dive into basic. It’s hundreds of years worth of leadership and psychology and military history wrapped up in one. Focus on that—it’s actually something you can’t learn from your phone.

Response by SSG Christopher Parrish made Apr 29 at 2019 12:06 PM

SSG Christopher Parrish — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 12:06:52 -0400

I doubt you'll have time to use your phone, IF you get to use it at all. Basic is a time to learn, to grow, and to transform from civilian to soldier. If you have time to text, you have time to study, clean, study, polish something, study, etc. Besides, nothing beats getting a letter during mail call; and I know I just dated myself there but it's still true.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 29 at 2019 12:11 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 12:11:18 -0400

Jesus Wept! Thomas are going to boot to learn how to surviv if placed in combat operations, uphold the Marine Creed or be a damn journalist? Hell even USMC journalist goes thru Boot. Hate to crush your bubble, but doubt you will have time for long phone texts, with paper you can write in snatches for days. Seriously they will let you have your phone unless you earn it for 30 minutes as a reward! Get use to it- there are places in the world where there is NO cell phone service without a sat dish.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2019 12:48 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 12:48:34 -0400

You will not have your phone. You will jot he able to text or call anyone. When you arrive at boot camp, you will make one phone call to whomever you want. It is a quick 15-20 second scripted call to let them know you have arrived safely. You may have the opportunity to make one or two phone calls during the three months, this is no a guarantee. You do not need to bring and paper, pen or envelopes. You will get that after a day or two in boot camp. You go to boot camp with basically your identification card, and that's it, nothing else is allowed except your wallet and a basic very small address book to write people. The Marine Corps has Drill Instructors and not Drill Sergeants. Talk to your local recruiter. Get all your questions answered start learning about the Marone Corps. Take it from a retired Marine and Recruiter. Best of luck to you.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 29 at 2019 1:51 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 13:51:33 -0400

Access to your personal phone will be dictated by your BT unit. This privileges can be taken away at anytime once given. The thing to tell your Family is that there will be time for calls etc. non news is good news in-between. The unit has your emergency contact number and will call if something should happen to warrant it. Having your phone and texting will distract you, whether it be during the day or at night. You will be lonely and sad, angry and mad, frustrated, kissed off, happy and sad, you will even be proud. That is all part of the developmental process. Get ready for it.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Apr 29 at 2019 3:06 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:06:10 -0400

You will not have a phone to text call or scroll through facebook. You will not even have a land line to call home. You will make one phone call home shortly after you arrive and there will be a card you will be required to read, word for word and that is it. Period. You will not even be allowed to converse.

This is the Marine Corps Thomas, not the boy scouts. If you don't know this by now, I am a little concerned. It isn't that it is a stupid question, it is a grossly uninformed question. The recruiters should have told you to take nothing (including a phone) with you. You need the clothes on your back, some go fasters on your feet and that is about it.

For this generation, always in touch by a device, I am sure boot camp in the Marine Corps will be unnerving. You will have plenty to keep your attention, very little of it will be nice, friendly, enjoyable etc.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2019 3:16 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:16:29 -0400

Thomas OReilly Talk to a recruiter for the latest information. Do not take a pillow to Boot Camp, as this is not a sleep over. Get used to writing because you will not be doing much typing. Your entire focus in Boot Camp will be on becoming a Marine. Listen closely, be observant, and do what the Drill Instructors tell you to do. Never quit. Expect a culture shock, so be mentally prepared to handle the change. As mentioned by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member, do your research about the Marine Corps.

Response by 1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2019 4:52 PM

1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 16:52:19 -0400

Graduated BCT in Feb of this year at Ft. Jackson. Max out your PT test or shoot expert and you will get several minutes to call home. Otherwise the only time you will be able to make a call home is when you finish FTX's

Response by 1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2019 4:53 PM

1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 16:53:06 -0400

No.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2019 4:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 16:55:38 -0400

Just let the DI know you really need to keep in touch and check your snap chat as often as possible, ask as soon as you get there so there is no confusion about what your priorities are....

OK, seriously though. You will not have it, Writing letters home will be your only communication. Honestly though, you don't need to distraction. Time will fly by and before you know it you will be done with training and able to have freedoms back. Best of luck to you!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2019 5:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 17:00:53 -0400

Any stuff we weren't allowed to have was sealed our original piece of luggage and giving back to us at the end of training. Don't worry, be happy. :)

Response by Sgt Chuck Stewart made Apr 29 at 2019 6:55 PM

Sgt Chuck Stewart — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 18:55:28 -0400

Marine Corps Boot camp? If so if they let you text or call on your cell phone. The Marine Corps would be letting me down. Pen and paper, envelopes and stamps, maybe two phone calls.
If you have family that is sick be sure your family knows how to get a hold of the Red Cross they cam help you go home in an emergency. Make sure it's a real emergency because you MAY have to start over in boot camp. GOOD LUCK.

Response by MSgt Gerald Orvis made Apr 29 at 2019 9:12 PM

MSgt Gerald Orvis — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 21:12:33 -0400

From a former Marine DI: You will not be allowed to have a cell phone or do any texting. If you take your cell phone to boot camp, it will be taken from you at receiving barracks and stored until you graduate (along with any other "contraband"). You will not be allowed to make any phone calls (except in family emergency situations verified by the Red Cross). You will be issued letter writing gear, shaving gear, and other basic stuff (the cost of which will be deducted from your pay). You will get to make a phone call home during your final week (usually on visitors day), and that's it. You will be instructed in receiving barracks to tell your family not to send you any "care packages" loaded with contraband (cookies, fudge, etc. - you will be told what they should not send). In the old days, recruits who received such packages received a very hard time from their DIs - don't know if they still mess with recruits like that now. So...check with your recruiter about this. And don't take ANYTHING to boot camp except the clothes you are wearing, your ID and maybe your Social Security card.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Apr 29 at 2019 10:36 PM

LTJG Richard Bruce — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 22:36:38 -0400

Time to grow up.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Apr 30 at 2019 12:15 AM

SCPO Morris Ramsey — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 00:15:46 -0400

Well I certainly hope so. But just in case take that pen and paper with you.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2019 12:32 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 00:32:03 -0400

Oops. I didn't see that you had tagged Marines in your post. Yea.....You aren't getting that cell phone during Marine Boot Camp. On the plus side, you'll be able to improve your penmanship.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2019 6:46 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 06:46:41 -0400

Just prepare to not. I mean, the Air Force doesn’t allow it. We get 3 phone calls. Otherwise, it’s just letters. And don’t bring your own pillow. You can’t use that either.

Response by SFC Scott Higgins made Apr 30 at 2019 11:32 AM

SFC Scott Higgins — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 11:32:54 -0400

Thomas, A lot of people ask questions - because they haven't served and don't know anyone who has. Things have changed, they always do. There may be some free time here and there - but there will not be a phone available for you to call your loved ones except for specific, rationed time where the unit might let you have a moment. But I don't think you will be allowed to have your phone in basic training. You can write letters. Taking your own pillow - that is a new one, the Army will issue you a pillow and sheets and blankets. you will get the clothes you will have to wear - anything civilian will be put away until you are through with basic and in some cases, through AIT. The Army will be in control. I am sorry your family has been sick, prayers for their speedy recovery. Last bit of advice: Don't be the guy who needs to call home - get used to being a soldier. Sometimes your contact with family is VERY limited.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2019 7:44 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 May 2019 07:44:03 -0400

Sounds to me like you are on the fence about the whole thing. First, get your mind right and make sure that this is what you want before you commit. The military life can be very rewarding but it can also be very emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausting. Thats a nice way of saying that sometimes it SUCKS REALLY BAD. (key word there is "sometimes") That being said, about your boot, basic, etc. Bring a bunch of supplies to write letters because that is going to be your go to when it comes to communicating with your friends and family back home. Every company is different and the Drill Sergeants (I dont know about the marine DIs) have a lot of leverage on how they want to train the recruits. For example, my platoon in OSUT won a competition and we got our phones for 5 minutes. It was only enough time for me to call my girlfriend at the time three times because she NEVER ANSWERS THE PHONE! So it wasn't really worth it. That might happen with you, it might not, you might get some really cool DIs, or you might not. Either way, its not that long of a time and once you make it through you can rot your eyes out of your head like the rest of us and be thankful that smartphones have REVOLUTIONIZED the term "stand by"

Response by PV2(P) Ethan McGee made Jul 24 at 2019 12:03 PM

PV2(P) Ethan McGee — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 12:03:40 -0400

It all depends on your company’s cadre. When I went through basic training at Fort Benning, my company was allowed cell phone privileges whenever we would phase over to the next training phase, whenever a platoon won a streamer, or whenever we were allowed passes. It’s completely dependent on the cadre.