Permitted electronic items

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15USAFAap

5-Year Member
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Dec 20, 2010
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I know that from the start of BCT, cell phones are taken away. I'm wondering if they will be given back afterwards with full usage, especially whenever I have free time. Also, am I allowed to keep a camera with me? Would it be better for me to just wait until the second semester to bring a cell phone and a camera? Is using internet on the phone is allowed (if there is WIFI)?

Thank you
 
I would bring your cell phone with you, but it will be taken for most of beast. If you have it with you during beast, they will return it to you for doolie day in/out. As for during the semester, every squadron is different. I heard some got them back at parents weekend. Our squadron gave them back on the weekends until prog (the middle of the semester), then, if you weren't on any probations, you received it permanently.

As for a phone with WiFi, you will not be able to connect to any of the academy networks because they are all secured. I guess if you had 3g or something you could, but honestly, you will probably receive your computer before you get your cell phone back.

Don't bring a camera to basic, have your parents bring it later. It will be taken and you won't see it until basic is over.

Later,

Brian
 
Agree with everything Brian said. My son didn't get his phone back (other than for PW and maybe one or two other times) until prog (early October) but he also knew others who got them most of the time after A Day and all the time after PW. But you will want it for travel and for during DDO/DDI and just in case you get it for any other reason during Beast and to definitely have for coordinating PW with your parents.

As far as the wifi, my son said the same - that you couldn't connect. He has an iphone though, and can use the internet on it through 3G. But as soon as Beast is over, as Brian said, you'll get your computer which you'll carry with you nearly all the time (to classes) or have with you in your room and you'll have a much better connection on anyway. My son used his phone for directions when he had to borrow a car for a hospital visit, and for texting, but uses the computer for nearly everything else.

We also brought him out a camera for A Day, but he really didn't use it until he started doing some travel with Drum & Bugle in Sept. I might suggest though if you are going out on your own (either with friends or with the Bed & Breakfast program) for I Day that you bring a disposable camera and have them (sponsor/friends) take a zillion pics of you as long as they can that day and then send it to your folks for developing (we included a pre-stamped padded envelope for them). But you won't need it during Beast and your folks will get all the pics they need from Webguy! :wink:
 
If for some reason you break your phone before beast (like i did) on Doolie Day In you are provided with calling cards and can call home with those. It was a life saver to have those with everyone else on their phones. Didn't have to beg to get a phone from my squad mates.
 
Another alternative to not having a phone is a generous cadre who loans a phone to a Basic. I got a call out of the blue from my son during some down time at Jacks Valley. Parents - If you get a call during BCT from an unknown phone number be sure to answer it - it may be your Basic making a quick call which is a great uplift for you and them!
 
Dadandgrad said:
Another alternative to not having a phone is a generous cadre who loans a phone to a Basic. I got a call out of the blue from my son during some down time at Jacks Valley. Parents - If you get a call during BCT from an unknown phone number be sure to answer it - it may be your Basic making a quick call which is a great uplift for you and them!
Click to expand...

Very true! I had this experience as well. A soaring IP lent me his phone while they packed up one of the gliders into a trailer during our airmanship day in basic, needless to say my mom was pleasantly surprised.
 
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