My wife and I have a son currently in bootcamp and were just a little concerned when we discovered that he has recently sent an e-mail, maybe more, we don't know, to a mutual friend. When I served back in the 80's we didn't have the use of iPads or other more modern modes of communication but I remember being strictly limited in the use of any type of telecommunications available in that day. I realize that it's just another form of written correspondence (electronically) and they are permitted to write letters the old fashioned way. Our concern is that he may have used one of the iPads they are given to use for their studies. I know they are only given "the loan" of them and are in a sense "Government Property", and as such are most likely strictly regulated for "official use only".
I'm sure I don't have to go into detail about what particular "force" would influence a healthy young man to possibly bend the rules just a bit , wink wink.
Does anyone on the forum know if today's modern recruits have access to computers or iPads for personal use ? or should we admonish our son in our next letter him ?
Sincere regards , Patrick
Replies
I stalk the Facebook page for my kid's division, he went in on May 22, the parents from the week before were referring to email Sunday or Email Day - its a thing at about week 6 I believe that some of them earn this although I am still just a snail mail Dad. Trust that he didn't hack his way out - he earned it and if the pretty little thing was first on his list, be content with paper he might have gotten only one. Some recruits called their girls instead of their mama's on first phone home day. Boy I am glad my son had more sense than that but given a choice between a call to Mom and a PS4, we might be wondering how he is doing.
Nice to meet you all,
Bob
Father of SR in Ship 13 Div 226. PIR 7/21.
Thanks Jim,
Perhaps he was given the opportunity to go to NEX and made use of a public computer as you mentioned. It's my bet that that is the case. Knowing my step-son as I do, I can't imagine he would break a pretty serious rule like that, but then ... we all know the effects a pretty face and friendly attention can have on what would otherwise be a very level headed young man. Not placing blame on or disparaging the "fairer gender", it just is what it is.
NavyDads CoAdmin Jim Gramza said:
Welcome to the new Navy!
I'm not so sure that the iPads are or can be used for email. When they are allowed to go to the NEX, they can actually pay a little bit to use some computers that are already set up for that. I could be wrong here, but I think the iPads are strictly for classroom use only and can not be used for private emails. I'm sure that would be restricted.
Hopefully someone else will chime in here that is more in the know about that.