<p>Is there any need to take a cell phone to indoc at KP (and put in storage)? I know they can't use them in the summer but some other academy boards post that they encourage cell phones to be in hand after indoc. Can you use a cell phone during plebe year or is it only merit use? What is the best carrier? How is Verizon there and how is signal in the dorm rooms?</p>
<p>good question! Ditto that one here. </p>
<p>When we were up for a visit my son had his verizon phone with him and it seemed to get good reception.</p>
<p>The kids that talked about this last year seemed to all have different opinions as to take the phone or not. A couple of us Moms back in 05 sent the cell phones in that first box & it seemed to work out well. Some kids took theirs & it was put away (along with those nice watches). All of the cell phone providers seem to work pretty well up there. Signals come & go while in the dorm rooms but if they walk to the end of the halls & get near a window it improves. Outside use is the best. Plebes aren't supposed to use cell phones until recognition. <em>cough cough</em> ;) </p>
<p>Hey you Plebes, give the Moms your thoughts. You guys know best.</p>
<p>as a plebe you're allowed to make calls on your cell on sundays only. and you either have to stand outside your company, or at land hall. that's what they say, as least. from my understanding, no service works better than the others, they all cut out equally.</p>
<p>We delivered the cell phone at Parents Weekend...along with a few other sorely missed items.</p>
<p>just have your candidate bring their cell on indoc... they will be taken but given back after indoc...</p>
<p>just put it in your bag with your civilians clothes when you show up.... your not supposed to use a cellphone but to be honest once you get past the first couple weeks no one really cares all that much and it is easy to get away with it. if you have one of those bluetooth things it makes it easier to talk and not drop the call. service in the barracks isn't that good because of the concrete therefore it can sometimes be pretty good service and sometimes not that good no matter what kind of phone you have. thats why i would suggest the bluetooth because you can keep your phone by the window and talk anywhere in your room and keep good service.</p>
<p>We can verify that Verizon works pretty well throughout the academy and the barracks. We sent the cell phone in the first care package at the end of indoc. During indoc you may want them to bring a prepaid telephone card to use sometime on Sunday (from designated pay phones at the academy), when they are only allowed to make a 5 minute call to home. Make sure someone is by the home phone all day...the call could come at any random time that first Sunday (usually about 8-10 days into indoc). The call will be exactly 5.00 minutes! Not one second longer, it will seem like the shortest five minute call you have ever had. If you don't answer the phone, it could be another week until you hear from them.</p>
<p>Good suggestion about the bluetooth headset.</p>
<p>Bluetooth is definately a must have if you want to talk on ur cell phone in ur room here. Unless you like dangling out of your room to get a bar or two. How it worked for me the summer of 2005 when i was a plebe was we had our cells taken away till after indoc and after those 2.5 weeks we were allowed to talk on the cells on sundays standing outside at the POA (position of attention). Eventually as the year goes on you'll find ways to beat the system and talk on the phone as much as you like.</p>