<p>Has anyone heard or seen a "schedule " of when C4Cs will be allowed to access their:</p>
<p>Cell phone</p>
<p>IPOD/MP3 Player</p>
<p>Cell phones will vary by group/squadron. Some will get use for the weekend after Acceptance, others may have to wait longer. Ipods/MP3 not before Recognition in March.</p>
<p>Rules last year for phones were: Access during weekends starting parent's weekend. Then, full access if not on probation (academics) after prog (mid-semester). No access to Ipods/MP3s until March.</p>
<p>I was told that some squadrons were unable to use cell phones their entire 4 dig year. Is that a possibility? :-S</p>
<p>Yes, and it can also depend on the cadet's grades or the standing of the entire class. It's not very likely, but it's still a possibility.</p>
<p>Even if there was a schedule it would probably change more than once. Nothing's for sure until after Recognition.</p>
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Rules last year for phones were: Access during weekends starting parent's weekend. Then, full access if not on probation (academics) after prog (mid-semester). No access to Ipods/MP3s until March.
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<p>This is exactly what we were told. I think it's in the 4th Class ROEs, so it might be Wing-wide, but I'd have to double check.</p>
<p>Edit - Here we go, straight from our Rules of Engagement, section 11c:</p>
<p>Fourth class cadets are not authorized to use cell phones until Parents Weekend... After Parents Weekend, fourth class cadets may only use cell phones on the weekend. After Prog, fourth class cadets who are not on academic probation may use cell phones during the week.</p>
<p>from the 4th class ROE:</p>
<p>c. Fourth class cadets are not authorized to use cell phones until Parents Weekend. After Parents Weekend, fourth class cadets may only use cell phones on the weekend. After Prog, fourth class cadets who are not on academic probation may use cell phones during the week.</p>
<p>however, squadrons can take away that privelege normally with the publishment of the 40 days ROEs later in the year. as for music, last year was the first time since pretty much forever that music was not granted after thanksgiving or christmas. even as far back as the 80s they recieved radios after christmas</p>
<p>Most of the other 4-digs that I have talked to have gotten cell phones back,but it could be that I was talking to people who were all from the same 3 squadrons or something. My squadron said before that they might let us use them on the weekends.It's now the weekend though, and I don't have my cell phone, nor do I expect to see it for another 3 weeks.</p>
<p>As for MP3's, only individual upperclassmen have let a few 4-digs have them. We're really not supposed to have them till Recognition though, like the ROE said.</p>
<p>Yeah, there are always individuals who will let you borrow stuff. Just don't let anyone else know, because it could cost both of you. Media is one of those rules that cadets break a lot. The "cadet game" if you will. Just remember to face the consequences if you get caught. It's much better to get a 10/10/Y than an honor hit!</p>
<p>Good advice Ramius keep looking out for the youngsters....better advice just wait until recognition.</p>
<p>In all seriousness, now is not the time to start breaking the rules. Some of you (4 digs) might have an impression of your squads, but it is still pretty early to start pushing boundaries. As the months pass, you'll be able to figure out how far you can push the rules in your squad, should you choose to.</p>
<p>I'll admit that I got a video-game and a few mp3s, but I was very careful, took my time, and was prepared to face any punishment if I was caught.</p>
<p>Raimius, you speak wisely. Look, I'm not going to preach any of this "My generation; Your generation" crap. But each cadet has to ask themselves what exactly is important to them?</p>
<p>Since the beginning of time, subordinates have been pushing their superiors to see what they could get away with. Children do it to their parents. Students do it to their teachers. Workers do it to their boss. And so goes life.</p>
<p>The problem here however is that the academy, your education there, and your commitment after graduation, is a lot bigger than what some realize. There are quite a few cadets who unfortunately only look at the "Free Education" side of the academy. They understand they have a commitment after graduating, but that isn't paramount to them. I'm sure the majority of cadets do understand the importance of the academy and their commitment. Definitely much more important than an MP3 player, IPOD, video game, etc...</p>
<p>I know that to many I am just an "old fart" parent who is recently retired from the Air Force. I know that many people will see rule breaking as a right of passage that all young adults go through; especially once they are living on their own away from mom and dad. The problem however is, I know the Air Force. I know how the government works. They have no problem spending thousands and thousands of dollars on you and then throwing you out. That is calculated already in their cost analysis of operating the academy. </p>
<p>As already discussed in another thread, they over subscribe to entering more cadets than they want. You've already seen how many didn't make it through basic. Between academics, honors, medical, and other reasons, roughly 200 more cadets in you class will be gone before the next 4 years is up. </p>
<p>Now, you can learn the ways of the military. Learn that in their mind there is a "Time for every purpose under Heaven" and if you wait and do things in their time, you will do fine. Remember, they are teaching you attention to detail; conformity to work as one; to learn some day to be officers and lead individuals as a cohesive group. Or, you can be part of the next 200 cadets that will leave who thought that the challenge of bending the rules and having their MP3, IPOD, etc... was worth it. Some may think that the academy sets up these petty rules knowing that they will be broken. That's it's part of the training. Actually, it's part of the weeding out process. The rules are there if "They Need Them". Depending on how many cadets they have and how many they want to keep, will determine to what extent they will enforce the rules. Good luck cadets. Later... Mike....</p>
<p>Media violations are not considered a major offense, in the sense that you will not get kicked out (unless there is a compounding issue like honor probation or lying to get out of punishment).</p>
<p>The reality is that some cadets will try to bend, twist, push, and break the rules as far as they can. I don't think that this "cadet game" as it's called is a very good thing to inspire in officer candidates. It is one of the unintended (IMO negative) consequences of a strict training environment.</p>
<p>my squadron never took away our cell phones so we use them sometimes. We don't abuse using our cell phones though. we try to keep the upperclassmen happy cause that usually means an easier time for us.</p>
<p>That's a pretty good strategy. Happy upperclassmen usually means nice (or at least very fair) upperclassmen.</p>
<p>Yeah...it's kinda sad, but true...when upperclassmen are angry or upset, it can get really easy to vent it out by taking it out on freshmen during training sessions...</p>
<p>All just training for marriage and having children.</p>
<p>RTBdad - LOL LOL LOL </p>
<p>So true!</p>
<p>Well, one of the 4 digs in my squad was caught with his cell phone. So, naturally, the squad conducted a search of all the 4 degree's rooms at 0630 today.</p>
<p>Let this be a warning: play smart or don't play (which is probably the safer of the two).</p>