Quick Answer
Basic training recruits are generally not allowed to make personal phone calls except under special circumstances. However, recruits can write letters and will usually have opportunities to call home a handful of times over the course of training.
Can Recruits Make Phone Calls During Basic Training?
The ability for recruits to make phone calls during basic training is very limited. Here are some key facts about phone privileges:
- Recruits cannot make personal calls whenever they want. Access to phones is restricted.
- Some branches may allow one short call home when the recruit first arrives at basic training to let family know they arrived safely.
- Occasionally, recruits may be awarded phone privileges as a reward or morale booster after completing a major phase of training.
- Emergency phone calls are allowed in the event of a serious family emergency or death in the family.
- Any phone calls made by recruits are closely monitored for time limits.
The exact number of phone calls allowed and rules may vary slightly by military branch. However, in general, phone access is very limited during the 8-10 weeks of basic training.
Why Are Phone Privileges Restricted?
The military strictly limits phone privileges during basic training for a few key reasons:
- Removes distractions and helps recruits focus on training without outside influences from family and friends.
- Builds discipline and self-reliance by requiring recruits to go for a period without constant outside communication.
- Allows for equal treatment of all recruits since not everyone would have the same level of outside communication if it was freely allowed.
- Helps transition civilians into military life by separating them from their civilian habits and way of life.
The minimal phone access recruits have allows the military to keep tight control over the training environment.
What Are Alternatives to Calling Home During Basic?
While phone calls home are very limited during basic training, recruits do have some other options to communicate with family and friends periodically:
- Letters – Recruits can write paper letters to loved ones which are mailed out through the basic training facility mail system.
- Pay phone – Some facilities may have a pay phone that is available for recruits to use during very limited free time.
- Visits – On graduation day, some branches allow family to visit briefly on base before assignments are given out.
Letters are the most common and reliable way for recruits to keep in touch while phone access is restricted.
When Do Recruits Get Phone Privileges Back?
After graduating basic training, recruits regain full access to their phones and ability to make personal calls:
- Following basic training, new enlisted servicemembers proceed to military job training.
- At job training locations, restrictions are loosened and servicemembers can use their phones to call home in their free time once again.
- Once training is fully complete, servicemembers deployed to their first duty station regain full civilian privileges with their phones and communication.
The highly restricted environment at basic training facilities is intense but temporary. Once graduating, new servicemembers slowly regain communication privileges.
Typical Phone Call Allowances During Basic Training
| Branch | Phone Call Allowances |
|---|---|
| Army |
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| Navy |
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| Air Force |
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| Marines |
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Conclusion
Personal phone privileges are severely limited during basic training across all military branches. Some arrival or morale calls may be allowed for just a few minutes, but otherwise communication is restricted to letter writing. Once graduating basic training, servicemembers slowly regain access to communicate freely by phone as they transition to military life. But the intense basic training period requires recruits to focus fully on training without outside distractions.