Cell phones at bootcamp and insurance information

[GANukeMom(EM mom)]

I've heard that since Jan, of this year, the SRs are allowed to have their cell phones on Sundays and are not required to send them home in the box.

What does anyone know about this?

I'm looking at getting my SR a 100 min phone card to go along with the ones that callsforrecruits sent him. If he will be allowed to take his cell phone, then I see no need in getting him the phone card.

Just a tid bit of information. My SR called USAA about his car insurance while he is in bootcamp. They told him that as long as his vehicle was not moved for 21 consecutive days, they would drop his car insurance down to $15 a month. It was actually a percentage, but his came out to this amount.
 It is Definitely work checking into.

Our cell phone co has also told us that they would not charge us for his line while he is in bootcamp if we wanted to suspend his number. I've chosen to keep it on just in case any of his friends or such call. We don't pay that much for his line.

[Barb (Proud KS Navy Mom)]

Hi Karen...my son left for BC on 6/5/12 and his cell phone was in the "Box" that was mailed home. We were so glad he took it with him on the trip to BC because he called us several times to update us where he was. He called us from the airport when he landed, then he called us when they got to the USO, then the last call was the 30 second call after arriving at BC. Now we are anxiously waiting for his address and PIR date:) Hope this info helps!

[purplegiraffe69]

My son is at the hotel right now, leaves for boot tomorrow, the army guy with him says he can keep his phone during boot camp, i told him navy cant! So i just kept his phone since he only has a computer charger, it would be dead by the morning anyway.

[WadesMoM]

my son shipped yesterday 6/13/12 and we had several recruiters and personal at MEPS tell us they have been told they are now getting to keep their phones.. He did use his phone last night to make "The Call" so maybe thats a good sign!

[salpetty]

If they bring their phone to bootcamp, they  usually let them make "the call" from it, as there are others making their calls from the pay phones and there are only so many pay phones and only a little bit of time.  After that is when they pack up their stuff.  It will most likely get sent home.  If it does come home in the box, check their shoes because the battery may be in side a shoe :)

[ibmom]

My son left this week, 6/21.  The morning he left, his recruiter told him to bring his phone and charger as "some" divisions were getting to keep them to use when they were allowed calls.  He also said he didn't know how that was suppose to work but he assumed the division commander would keep them locked up until they could be used. He also said, how could they possibly remain charged, so seems questionable.  My son took his and was at least able to text on the way there, but I expect to get phone and charger both back in his box.

[lemonelephant]

The Navy does not permit Recruits to keep their cell phones.  What the recruiter said is true of the Army as some platoons are able to keep their cell phones during basic training, but as you said, you will get the phone and charger back in "the Box."

[Jennifer]

My SR had to send his phone back in the "kid in the box" when he arrived so I would guess it's a NO on cell phone's.

Great news about USAA and the car insurance, when I called they said that we only had 2 choices: cancel the insurance (which would make his rate go up when he needed to get it back...so NO) or keep paying the normal amount.  must of talked to the wrong person, I will be calling again today!  Thanks!  The cell phone is true, they were very easy to work with and my bill has gone down so much (feel kind of like I got a raise!  lol) they said they would turn it back on whenever he was allowed to use it again (which may be a few week/months after basic from what I have been told) What I did do was to post on his wall (on his facebook page) that his phone would be turned off until he graduated from basic, and I left my email address if any of his friends wanted to write him.  A few of them have asked me for the address so they got the message!

[MamaLamaDingDong: AO/Pensacola]

Jennifer, I don't know if you will be going to PIR, or more importantly, where your SR will be going for A school, but from what I've read on here if they are headed away from GL for A school then it is possible to see them off at the airport and at that point in time give them their cell phone. You can't give it to them to take after their liberty time following PIR but once their at the airport it's ok. I got this info from the A school in Pensicola group. I'm just telling you in case you want to plan to bring it if you're going. I imagine that one of the first things my daughter will want is her phone. lol.