Getting ready for basic training in the military is an exciting but nerve-wracking time. Among the many questions recruits have before shipping off to boot camp is what to do with their cell phone. Will recruits get to keep their phone during basic training or will it be taken away? Here is a detailed look at the rules around cell phone use and access during Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard basic training.
The Reasons for Limited Phone Use
First, it’s important to understand why cell phone use is restricted during basic training. The military needs to transform civilians into soldiers as quickly as possible. This involves breaking old habits and establishing new ones through intense physical training, drill instruction, and immersion in military culture. Cell phones are seen as a distraction that could negatively impact the training process. Some specific reasons phones are limited include:
- Avoid distractions – Recruits need to focus 100% on their training without distractions from social media, texts, etc.
- Build camaraderie – By restricting phones, recruits spend more time interacting with their fellow trainees and building bonds.
- Encourage discipline – Following orders and rules is key in the military. Giving up phones demonstrates discipline.
- Safety issues – Cell phones can be a safety hazard around all the physical activity and weapons handling.
- Prevent secret recordings – The military doesn’t want unauthorized photos or videos of training spreading online.
While each branch has its own rules, this general mindset guides most policies limiting phone use in basic training across the military.
Army Basic Training Phone Policy
The Army currently does allow recruits to keep their cell phones during basic training, but phone use is still extremely restricted. Here are the key rules governing cell phone use in Army basic training:
- Phones must remain locked in a personal locker except during approved times.
- Recruits can only use phones about 60 minutes per week during personal time after training hours.
- Phone access may be taken away as a disciplinary measure.
- Smartwatches and other connected devices are prohibited.
- Recruits cannot use their phones during marches or field exercises.
- No phones are allowed in bathrooms or sleeping quarters.
These restrictions minimize distractions while still allowing recruits short times to call family or catch up on essential tasks. However, the Army warns that these rules could change at any time if phones are found to hinder training.
Advantages of the Army’s Phone Policy
- Less of a shock – Recruits can more gradually adapt to limited phone access.
- Morale – Short phone time helps maintain some contact with outside world.
- Avoid issues with long storage – Phones stay in recruit possession.
Disadvantages of the Army’s Phone Policy
- Still a significant distraction – Any phone access can divert focus.
- Administrative burden – Safely storing and returning phones takes time.
- Recruits may still break rules – Hard to prevent illicit phone use.
Navy Basic Training Phone Use
In the Navy, recruits are no longer able to keep their cell phones with them during basic training. Instead, phones are taken up on the first day of arrival at Recruit Training Command.
All phones are locked away for safekeeping. Recruits are forbidden access to their phones during the 8-week training period. There are no opportunities for recruits to make calls, text, or otherwise use their cell phones until after graduation.
If there is a family emergency during training, recruits can request emergency leave. In such cases, the Navy may retrieve the recruit’s phone to help coordinate travel arrangements.
Pros and Cons of the Navy’s Phone Policy
Taking phones away completely has these potential advantages and disadvantages:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Marine Corps Recruit Training Cell Phone Rules
Like the Navy, Marine recruits are barred from having their cell phones at all during boot camp. Phones are collected right away when recruits arrive at boot camp.
Marine recruits store their phones in secured storage for the approximately 13 week training cycle. Phones are only returned on graduation day. There are no opportunities for recruits to use phones except in emergency circumstances.
Reasons for the Marine Corps’ Policy
Some key factors behind the Marine Corps’ total cell phone ban include:
- Extreme training culture – The Marines have an intense boot camp with no room for distractions.
- Unit cohesion – Forging bonds between recruits requires removing outside connections.
- Teaches discipline – Following orders without phones demonstrates recruits’ commitment.
- Safety – Phones can interfere with training like marksmanship, land navigation, etc.
Like other branches, the Marines may adjust policies over time but continue an effective total phone ban for now.
Air Force BMT Cell Phone Rules
Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT) has rules regarding cell phones that fall between the Army and the Navy/Marines. Here are the key regulations:
- Recruits may keep their phone but cannot access it during training.
- Phones must be locked up except during designated phone use times.
- Phone access is limited to 30 minutes per week.
- All phone use is at the discretion of training instructors.
- No phones in bathrooms, during marches, etc.
With shorter, controlled phone time, the Air Force aims to allow some morale calls while maintaining focus on transforming trainees.
Air Force BMT Phone Policy Advantages
The Air Force’s phone rules try to get the best of both worlds:
- Not as shocking as total bans.
- Still minimizes distraction from training.
- Rewards good performance with extra phone time.
Coast Guard Recruit Training Phone Access
Coast Guard recruit training takes place at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May in New Jersey. Here, recruits experience an 8-week basic training program similar to the other branches.
For cell phones, the Coast Guard policies are:
- Recruits may keep personal cell phones during training.
- Phones can only be used during limited free time each evening.
- Otherwise phones must be locked securely in lockers.
- Smartwatches and other web-enabled devices are prohibited.
This approach allows some phone access for morale while restricting use during training events. However, policies are subject to change if phones become too distracting.
Benefits of the Coast Guard’s Phone Policy
- Easier transition to limited phone use
- Maintains some outside communication
- Phones stay secured rather than turned in
National Guard Basic Training Cell Phone Policy
National Guard members undergo Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) alongside active duty Army recruits. This means they are subject to the same cell phone rules as the Army during their 9-10 weeks of initial entry training.
Key rules for National Guard recruits include:
- Keeping phones locked up except for approved use times
- Restricted access during personal time after training
- No phones during exercises, field training, etc.
- Drill sergeants control when phones can be used
This controlled phone access aims to allow recruits some morale usage without interfering with the training regimen and military acculturation.
Conclusion
So in summary, while policies vary, most recruits in basic training for any branch of the U.S. military are severely restricted from accessing their personal cellphones during initial entry training. The degree of phone limitations differs between branches based on their training culture and philosophy. But universally, the priority remains on transforming civilians into disciplined service members without disruptive distractions from the outside world. Strict control of cell phones is one way the military maintains the intensive focus needed to produce America’s fighting forces.