Special Branching Program

Jcleppe

10-Year Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2010
Messages
6,714
Has anyone heard any rumors that they will not be doing the Special Branching Program for this year's accessions. Saw some rumblings about it somewhere else and just thought I'd see if anyone here has heard anything one way or the other.
 
Yep. We were told that during our assession briefing, the oml bonus given to stem majors replaces special branching.

I am about halfway done with CLC right now, btw.
 
And you're able to surf the internet...

Apparently they are able to keep their phones now and use them on personal time, when they're not attending concerts or 4th of July Celebrations.

This comment was not directed to you FMJ, good luck with the rest of CLC., and thanks for the info.
 
^according to CNN (the Cadet News Network), the decision to give us our phones back came from a cadet who's wife was pregnant and could go into labor at any minute, and he needed to stay in contact with her. Since they couldn't give just one person the privilege, they gave everyone their phone.
 
If that cadet was in CLC, then why would they let CIET cadets have them too? And vice-versa if he was in CIET? Just my thoughts
 
^according to CNN (the Cadet News Network), the decision to give us our phones back came from a cadet who's wife was pregnant and could go into labor at any minute, and he needed to stay in contact with her. Since they couldn't give just one person the privilege, they gave everyone their phone.

You've got to love the CNN, I saw a report that said they were given their phones back because someone needed to pay their personal bills and needed access to their phone.

Not quite sure I understand why they could not make the exception for just one cadet in this certain position. On another thought, what do they plane to do for the cadet if his wife does go into labor, if they allow him to leave to visit his wife will they give that privilege to all the cadets as well.
 
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My 1st Reg CIET cadet son had his phone the whole time - while they were in barracks, for use during personal time (after final formation). When they were in the field it was locked in his wardrobe.
 
last year everyone at LTC (now ciet) kept their phones the entire time, except during the field portion. I'm assuming this has stayed the same.
 
Funny... I went to TBS when we had cell phones. We were in the field for 10 days when a guy in my fire team was expecting (obviously his wife was). She had a duty phone number to call, they had a heads up this could happen, instructions were left to contact our platoon via radio or the field cell phone our SPC had if she went into labor. He left at about day 4. Plenty of folks have dealt with this scenario before cell phones existed, even while overseas, where cell phones aren't allowed or no reception, and it all works out. So I sort of find that excuse pretty sad if that is why phones were kept. Hey I get you are just passing what is going on Bulldog and just the messenger. Good luck at training!
 
Funny... I went to TBS when we had cell phones. We were in the field for 10 days when a guy in my fire team was expecting (obviously his wife was). She had a duty phone number to call, they had a heads up this could happen, instructions were left to contact our platoon via radio or the field cell phone our SPC had if she went into labor. He left at about day 4. Plenty of folks have dealt with this scenario before cell phones existed, even while overseas, where cell phones aren't allowed or no reception, and it all works out. So I sort of find that excuse pretty sad if that is why phones were kept. Hey I get you are just passing what is going on Bulldog and just the messenger. Good luck at training!

The whole phone thing puzzles me, I guess I'm just to old to understand.

On another board there was a thread discussing CLC and CIET. The number one question on the thread was "Do we get to keep our phones, how long do we have them, when can we use them, when do we get them back" Maybe it's just me but I just do not understand this obsession with the phones. Is it to much to ask to spend 28 days training without a phone. What will they do if they attend Ranger School, any of the selection schools, SERE, how will they make it through without texts, instagram, facebook, and twitter.

I agree with NavyHoops, I'm sure they would be able to get word to the cadet whose wife is pregnant rather quickly given current technology. Giving phones back to every cadet just seems a bit over the top. Like I asked before, will they give everyone time off if they let this cadet leave when his wife goes into labor.
 
I guess here is a good thing about letting the cadets have phones.... DS just called to say he is ok after Ft. Knox had a tornado roll through. DS said " dad I have never seen anything like is...totally white". I was not a big fan of the whole phone thing either until about 10 minutes ago.
 
Funny... I went to TBS when we had cell phones. We were in the field for 10 days when a guy in my fire team was expecting (obviously his wife was). She had a duty phone number to call, they had a heads up this could happen, instructions were left to contact our platoon via radio or the field cell phone our SPC had if she went into labor. He left at about day 4. Plenty of folks have dealt with this scenario before cell phones existed, even while overseas, where cell phones aren't allowed or no reception, and it all works out. So I sort of find that excuse pretty sad if that is why phones were kept. Hey I get you are just passing what is going on Bulldog and just the messenger. Good luck at training!

The whole phone thing puzzles me, I guess I'm just to old to understand.

On another board there was a thread discussing CLC and CIET. The number one question on the thread was "Do we get to keep our phones, how long do we have them, when can we use them, when do we get them back" Maybe it's just me but I just do not understand this obsession with the phones. Is it to much to ask to spend 28 days training without a phone. What will they do if they attend Ranger School, any of the selection schools, SERE, how will they make it through without texts, instagram, facebook, and twitter.

I agree with NavyHoops, I'm sure they would be able to get word to the cadet whose wife is pregnant rather quickly given current technology. Giving phones back to every cadet just seems a bit over the top. Like I asked before, will they give everyone time off if they let this cadet leave when his wife goes into labor.

DS had his phone at Air Assault. They kept them put up during the day but could use them of an evening. He only called a couple of times because off time was spent studying usually.
 
For something like Air Assault that is fine. I think it depends on the training environment. For something that is more along the lines of Indoc type training, phones should be handed in. Isolation and limited/no communication to the outside world is part of that Indoc.

But hey I am not in charge! So whatever they give them is what they give them.
 
^according to CNN (the Cadet News Network), the decision to give us our phones back came from a cadet who's wife was pregnant and could go into labor at any minute, and he needed to stay in contact with her. Since they couldn't give just one person the privilege, they gave everyone their phone.

Sorry, but that made me laugh. It screams politically correct. It also raises the BS flag to me. Huh? If she goes into labor what was he going to do on the phone? He would not make it back home in time.

Bullet jumped with the 82nd. I was 9 months pregnant and 1 week from my due date with my 3rd child. (My 2nd child was born in 47 minutes). The Army said you will go, tell her this is the phone number to contact Command.
~ I did not deliver until 2 days after he returned, and they all joked that I was a good wife, but a better wife would have gone into labor 24 hours after they left so he could come home.

It also begs the question, what about the next group if there are no cadets with a pregnant wife? Are they allowed phones too since the last group was allowed?
~ I get letting him keep his phone, and I highly doubt any other cadet would harbor any ill feelings that he was able to keep his phone. Just saying it seems by allowing everyone than the slippery slope started.

This is coming from an AF wife and Mom where we all know they are coddled. Yet, they can't have phones for summer training. They are collected upon arrival and given back the night before they leave.

I don't mean to flame. I get this is the new generation, but impo, I am shocked that this is the new way.

The old AF guys had a term for the younger officers in the pilot world. SNAPS.
~ Sensitive New Age PilotS.
 
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I went through OSUT training as an enlisted guy many moons ago. I can't imagine having this kind of stuff or freedom during training. Maybe that is why we always had to train the young LT's when they actually gone in a line platoon. :) I would imagine the Drill Sgt's have a tough time toning it down a bit. They are honestly lucky. We went weeks without calling home and it was the Red Cross who called our parents and told them were there. Emergencies had to go through the Red Cross. Oh well, technology changes many things.
 
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I went through OSUT training as an enlisted guy many moons ago. I can't imagine having this kind of stuff or freedom during training. Maybe that is why we always had to train the young LT's when they actually gone in a line platoon. :) I would imagine the Drill Sgt's have a tough time toning it down a bit. They are honestly lucky. We went weeks without calling home and it was the Red Cross who called our parents and told them were there. Emergencies had to go through the Red Cross. Oh well, technology changes many things.

Herdsman - My son is currently at BCT at Fort Benning. Cell phones are definitely taken away and communication restricted. He went in June 22nd and I've only received one 2-minute phone call from him. If they are allowed to call, it's generally on Sundays - but it depends on the Drill Sgt. and the privilege is taken away if anyone in their company has messed up.

And yes, we've been told that the only way to reach them in case of a family emergency is through the Red Cross.
 
I went through OSUT training as an enlisted guy many moons ago. I can't imagine having this kind of stuff or freedom during training. Maybe that is why we always had to train the young LT's when they actually gone in a line platoon. :) I would imagine the Drill Sgt's have a tough time toning it down a bit. They are honestly lucky. We went weeks without calling home and it was the Red Cross who called our parents and told them were there. Emergencies had to go through the Red Cross. Oh well, technology changes many things.

Herdsman - My son is currently at BCT at Fort Benning. Cell phones are definitely taken away and communication restricted. He went in June 22nd and I've only received one 2-minute phone call from him. If they are allowed to call, it's generally on Sundays - but it depends on the Drill Sgt. and the privilege is taken away if anyone in their company has messed up.

And yes, we've been told that the only way to reach them in case of a family emergency is through the Red Cross.

Good luck to your son! Congrats! Ft Benning in the summer is not fun(very hot).
 
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