Definitely agree Jag. Kids tell parents what they can and can't have, yet a parent doesn't listen. They act as if THEY know better than their kid who is at the academy. This is why it's so important that the reply on this or any type of forum when someone asks something about the day to day rules of the academy is........... "Ask your Kid". They are the ones that will know.
And if you think it's confusing now, get ready for a really inconsistent time. There's going to be times on this and other forums/media when one poster says yes to something and another will say no;.... and they'll BOTH be right. There will will be different privileges/rules/whatever you want to call it, for different academy squadrons and flights. When Basic Training is over, SOME cadets will get their cell phones back immediately. Some won't get them until parent's weekend. Some squadrons will allow certain possessions, luxuries, etc. while another squadron won't.
This inconsistency or whatever someone may think of it, is NOT really inconsistent. The military, and as such the academy, is about the team. Each flight/squadron/group will be different than another. Privileges, rules, etc. are tools for discipline. For some, those tools may be used and for others they may not. In the end, when it comes to the day to day life of a cadet, parents, friends, and families need to ask their cadet for the facts. Don't try and get the answer on a forum and believe it is gospel. What you read could be the truth; for SOME. For others, it's not. We've seen phones, computers, accessories, etc. differ for different squadrons. We've seen some cadets have a weekend off; while others were on campus at the dorms. Some will be released for holiday/spring/summer breaks at a different time than some others. There are so many variables that differ between cadets; and that's why the RIGHT ANSWER is the answer that your cadet gives you. No other answer.