Put away those phones, Marines!

[CDG]

It's always a balancing act. We need to know how to use the newest technology, but we also need to know the basics to a degree sufficient to employ them if needed. The biggest problem is lack of compromise. Older guys typically won't use anything new and say things like, "Well I never had that, so we don't need it." That attitude is bullshit and prohibits us from using technology to our advantage when applicable and tactically appropriate. Conversely, too many newer guys only want to learn the technology and scoff at the basics. That attitude is also bullshit and can lead to mission failure when the high tech piece of kit takes a bullet/shrapnel, overheats, batteries die, it gets forgotten back at the FOB, or it malfunctions.

As with many things, balance is key. Mindsets have to evolve along with kit and TTPs.

 

[AWP]

It's always a balancing act.

As with many things, balance is key. Mindsets have to evolve along with kit and TTPs.

Your pragmatic attitude has no place in today's military. Next you'll want to ban reflective belts and Salsa Night.

 

[Teufel]

Here is my position. It's easy to say, "You Marines are weak! We used to be harder back in the day when we went into the field for 60 days and didn't talk to our families!" I was there. Marines used to line up Disneyland style to talk to their loved ones on pay phones after getting out of the field. Remember those days? We had cell phones but they were the size of F150s. That's not reality today. It's easy to justify keeping cell phones off the live fire range, patrol and tactical exercise. I honestly don't see why I should tell a Marine he isn't allowed to talk to his family when he is back in the rear, off duty and on his own time. I don't think that's my business. That's what I have the Sergeant Major, Company Commanders, Company 1st Sergeant, Company Gunny, Platoon Commanders, Platoon Sergeants, Squad Leaders, and Team Leaders for. Guess what? Let's say we outlaw all cell phones in the field. Guess what you will see? I'm not a fortune teller but I suspect you will see a lot of E8/E9s and field grade officers on their phones "taking care of business" while a lot of NCOs look on getting massively disgruntled. There is a time and place for just about everything and that's what we have NCOs for. Pass guidance and let the troops sort it out.

 

[Marauder06]

Your pragmatic attitude has no place in today's military. Next you'll want to ban reflective belts and Salsa Night.

The Bagram is strong in this one.

 

[Marine0311]

Here is my position. It's easy to say, "You Marines are weak! We used to be harder back in the day when we went into the field for 60 days and didn't talk to our families!" I was there. Marines used to line up Disneyland style to talk to their loved ones on pay phones after getting out of the field. Remember those days? We had cell phones but they were the size of F150s. That's not reality today. It's easy to justify keeping cell phones off the live fire range, patrol and tactical exercise. I honestly don't see why I should tell a Marine he isn't allowed to talk to his family when he is back in the rear, off duty and on his own time. I don't think that's my business. That's what I have the Sergeant Major, Company Commanders, Company 1st Sergeant, Company Gunny, Platoon Commanders, Platoon Sergeants, Squad Leaders, and Team Leaders for. Guess what? Let's say we outlaw all cell phones in the field. Guess what you will see? I'm not a fortune teller but I suspect you will see a lot of E8/E9s and field grade officers on their phones "taking care of business" while a lot of NCOs look on getting massively disgruntled. There is a time and place for just about everything and that's what we have NCOs for. Pass guidance and let the troops sort it out.

I still disagree with phones at Camp Wilson or any Camp Wilson- like place.

 

[104TN]

I still disagree with phones at Camp Wilson or any Camp Wilson- like place.

Folks spend enough time separated from their families. I get "train like you fight", but nobody is training combat life saving skills by shooting Joe/Gomer in the chest. I think removing the ability for families to communicate while stateside creates unnecessary stress that's probably more detrimental to readiness than allowing the occasional FaceTime to the Mr/Mrs/Kids when it doesn't matter.

 

[WhiskeyMike]

No cell phones at all IMO. I didn't. It's poor form and p iss poor practice. Train how you will fight.

Some buddies of mine got back from Iraq a few months ago and they had their phones and got on Facebook and whatnot when they had down time. Not while on patrol or standing post, but I don't think it's a huge deal if Marines have their phones when they aren't bivouacking or pulling security in a fighting hole or on a patrol. In training or in country. That's just my personal opinion.

 

[Marine0311]

Some buddies of mine got back from Iraq a few months ago and they had their phones and got on Facebook and whatnot when they had down time. Not while on patrol or standing post, but I don't think it's a huge deal if Marines have their phones when they aren't bivouacking or pulling security in a fighting hole or on a patrol. In training or in country. That's just my personal opinion.

I disagree.

 

[WhiskeyMike]

I disagree.

I accept that.

 

[Marine0311]

I accept that.

I'll think of a longer answer later.

 

[WhiskeyMike]

I'll think of a longer answer later.

Yut

 

[Marine0311]

Yut

When I trained that's how it was and that's how I think it should be. When I was in the sand box I wrote letters. I wasn't at a FOB or anything so I don't know about being able to email or FaceTime. I could see Marines doing that only if it was available to all and organized. Otherwise I just don't agree with bringing your phones to Iraq on a FOB. I just can't see it. I am sure there are security reasons too (your phone being hacked, radio signal being used to set off a IED)

 

[AWP]

When I trained that's how it was and that's how I think it should be. When I was in the sand box I wrote letters. I wasn't at a FOB or anything so I don't know about being able to email or FaceTime. I could Marines doing that only if it was available to all and organized. Otherwise I just don't agree with bringing your phones to Iraq on a FOB. I just can't see it. I am sure there are security reasons too (your phone being hacked, radio signal being used to set off a IED)

We've also been at war for over a decade and Camp Wilson as described earlier is Bagram/J-bad/ Kandahar/ every other huge base in Afghanistan (and I'll guess Iraq was the same). Going out on patrol with a smartphone? That's on leadership and PCI's. I can't see them out at a COP or something, but Roshan cellphones (which were KNOWN to be monitored by the Taliban) were used every damn where by everyone, including General Officers.

Your argument is literally counter to every service's policies and actions since 2008 at the latest. I understand your points, but reality is the exact opposite for nearly a decade now, at all levels of all services.

 

[SpongeBob*24]

I put a cell phone in the PACE-H plan if the environment supports it....