Navy Issue Phone?

[cem118]

This may be a dumb question and not particularly important. Does the Navy issue cell phones to officers? My OR has an official phone but is that because of his particular job? Just curious. I am waiting on my Final Select letter and day dreaming about making life changing plans. Currently I have a phone with my employer and wondering if I should start researching personal phones of if its going to be a non-issue.

Obviously this is pretty low on my list of priorities but was curious, did a search, and came up with nothing. Thanks.

 

[Flash]

No, the Navy does not issue phones to officers. Your recruiter has one because of his job and so will a few others but it is not common so don't count on having one.

 

[slater44]

I'm not an officer, but in my experience, I'd start researching personal phones if I were you. On duty you will have the CDO/SDO phone but that's only once or twice a month.

 

[ea6bflyr]

Or you could be a flag aid after your first sea-tour and have your very own Navy issued phone....but I'm not sure that's worth the hassle.

 

[cem118]

Cool. That is what I figured but thought it couldn't hurt to throw out the question. Now I've got to figure out the most efficient plan/provider... this is complicated.

 

[wlawr005]

Only slightly more complicated than finding matching socks in the dryer. I'm sure you'll do fine.

 

[Tycho_Brohe]

Make sure to ask about the military discount. Most, if not all, major providers offer a discount for cell phone contracts. No discount for pay-as-you-go plans, though.
http://www.military.com/discounts/military-discounts-on-cellular-phone-plans.html
Not sure how up-to-date this info is, but BLUF, 15% off for most providers.

 

[Uncle Fester]

For what it's worth, I had terrible luck with Sprint and T-Mobile reception on Navy bases. AT&T slightly less crap.

Of course, all military buildings seem to have cel-suppressive paint on the walls or something. Even the Commissary and gym. Been years since I had to sit on a windowsill to get a signal, except at the Norfolk Q.

 

[Flash]

...Of course, all military buildings seem to have cel-suppressive paint on the walls or something. Even the Commissary and gym. Been years since I had to sit on a windowsill to get a signal, except at the Norfolk Q.

What do you expect with all that lead-based paint and asbestos?

 

[exNavyOffRec]

For what it's worth, I had terrible luck with Sprint and T-Mobile reception on Navy bases. AT&T slightly less crap.

Of course, all military buildings seem to have cel-suppressive paint on the walls or something. Even the Commissary and gym. Been years since I had to sit on a windowsill to get a signal, except at the Norfolk Q.

I had awful luck with verizon when I had my military phone, would lose signal at the NRD, but it worked great in the sticks, had a CO get pissed off because he couldn't reach the CDO (me) because I had no signal.

My pers phone was AT&T, worked great in the city, but couldn't get signal in the sticks, no issue for me.

 

[JollyGood]

For what it's worth, I had terrible luck with Sprint and T-Mobile reception on Navy bases. AT&T slightly less crap.

Of course, all military buildings seem to have cel-suppressive paint on the walls or something. Even the Commissary and gym. Been years since I had to sit on a windowsill to get a signal, except at the Norfolk Q.

Most cell providers are going to have terrible service on the military installations. It mostly boils down to the fact that it is not worth the pain, time and expense for cell providers to put new towers on military bases.

The amount of studies required to be completed by a myriad of agencies with signatures galore would make you think you were trying to pass the budget of the entire U.S. Navy.

 

[Flash]

Most cell providers are going to have terrible service on the military installations. It mostly boils down to the fact that it is not worth the pain, time and expense for cell providers to put new towers on military bases.

The amount of studies required to be completed by a myriad of agencies with signatures galore would make you think you were trying to pass the budget of the entire U.S. Navy.

Sometimes there are very good reasons not to put antennas in places they may not belong.

 

[azguy]

Sometimes there are very good reasons not to put antennas in places they may not belong.

Cue spooky music...

BT

To the OP, even if the Navy issued you a phone if you go to a job that requires one, it's still a big no-no to use it for personal buisness.

 

[Spekkio]

This may be a dumb question and not particularly important. Does the Navy issue cell phones to officers? My OR has an official phone but is that because of his particular job? Just curious. I am waiting on my Final Select letter and day dreaming about making life changing plans. Currently I have a phone with my employer and wondering if I should start researching personal phones of if its going to be a non-issue.

Obviously this is pretty low on my list of priorities but was curious, did a search, and came up with nothing. Thanks.

Our DHs were issued phones from Navy supply while we were in drydock because recording devices (which are on practically every single phone) were not allowed on the premises. They were also issued cell phones in foreign ports. JOs, not so much.

They were bright yellow, the size of about 1/2 a brick, and barely got reception most of the time.

 

[ea6bflyr]

Cool. That is what I figured but thought it couldn't hurt to throw out the question. Now I've got to figure out the most efficient plan/provider... this is complicated.

My friend swears by Ting (http://abc7chicago.com/402296/)