army communication devices

hi mimama5 that does sound strange to me as it would be one really'wonderful way to keep in touch with loved ones for the soldiers. I wonder why they will not allow them to take their cell phones with them? I realize that keeping in touch in a situation like that is really most important so why does the army decree otherwise?

I'm not sure why they would say it but here's some guesses. Computers are kept at their base site and not carried on them...if they're captured their computers are not taken to find out more information like who you talk to on the internet, your family or anything else. Also since the computers are kept at their base site, the soldiers aren't on them when their supposed to be out in the field. Could you imagine trying to sneak up on the enemy and your cell phone starts ringing with some insane music like Another Bites The Dust?? Or what if you're supposed to watching your fellow soldiers backs and instead you're on your cell phone making kissy face with your wife back home? I think it's all about distractions. They aren't cut off from their families by any means...I have a cousin who is in the Air Force and he gets to talk to his wife and kids and his mom almost every day via the internet and webcamming. [b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~ **STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]

On the face of it I would agree with you that contact with home is very important, especially for someone in such a situation. Nevertheless, there has to be a reason for the restriction so I cannot say with any confidence that the military is wrong. If computers and internet access are available then it is logical to assume that the Army is not simply being unreasonable, and to be fair it gives plenty of contact with home. I suppose the obvious difference is that using the internet to link with a family member would require a person to be off duty, and therefore the system is not open to abuse.

My husband retired from the Army and he said the reason for this is because of the enemy may be listening in on the conversations OR could zero in on their exact location. However, his niece is in the army and in Afghanistan right now and she has a cell phone. Now I can't say that she took it with her because I don't know nor does he however, she could've left hers in the states and bought a new one once she got there.