Technology (A Soldier's Perspective)

fm2176 · February 11, 2013

So, here I sit typing this on my handy-dandy new laptop (my first, I'm usually a number of years behind the cutting edge), waiting for the smart phone to charge. The last time I was in a foreign country preparing for war I wore a different uniform and had a slight bit less connectivity.

Let's go back... Ten years ago I was a young(er) Private First Class in one of the finest light Infantry units in the US Army. DCUs were the uniform, and in less than a week I'd be on my way to Kuwait to stage for a possible invasion of Iraq. At Camp New Jersey we had a tent to sleep in, and another to eat in (until a sandstorm knocked it down), and even a conex that contained an exchange (military store) of sorts. I think we had limited computer and phone access, but it's been years, and access was very limited back then. So, we push into Iraq, take Baghddad, clear the airport, move up north, and eventually end up as isolated platoon near Syria. Computer access was non-existent out there, but we did get a satellite phone once each month to make a single ten-minute call from. Later, when we consolidated with the battalion, we got access to morale computers and phones. Computers were limited to 30 minutes or less if there was a line, and phones were still limited to ten minutes.

Flash forward to now. I'm at a well-known transit point run by the Air Force, typing away on a laptop that would have been useless during my last deployment. Thanks to wi-fi, I can do nearly anything I can do back home (more, actually, as I didn't get internet at my last residence), and even my cell phone is useful despite having no service out here. Given my neanderthal thought process (gotta use the morale phones), it took a fellow Soldier to inform me of the Magicjack app which just enabled me to speak to my wife, and Pinger just got finished installing so I can text my brother. Granted, wi-fi may not be quite as available once I get to where I'm going, but I'd be surprised if it is nonexistent. Heck, I may even be able to finish my degree over here. Gotta love technology when it works.

And, yeah, I'm one of those career Soldiers who has gone where I've been sent and who, despite being an 11B Infantryman, has nine years of stateside duty since his last deployment. Gotta say I'm glad to get back to business, but even more glad that I'm not stuck waiting for that damned sat phone!

Chris · February 11, 2013

So, here I sit typing this on my handy-dandy new laptop (my first, I'm usually a number of years behind the cutting edge), waiting for the smart phone to charge. The last time I was in a foreign country preparing for war I wore a different uniform and had a slight bit less connectivity.

Let's go back... Ten years ago I was a young(er) Private First Class in one of the finest light Infantry units in the US Army. DCUs were the uniform, and in less than a week I'd be on my way to Kuwait to stage for a possible invasion of Iraq. At Camp New Jersey we had a tent to sleep in, and another to eat in (until a sandstorm knocked it down), and even a conex that contained an exchange (military store) of sorts. I think we had limited computer and phone access, but it's been years, and access was very limited back then. So, we push into Iraq, take Baghddad, clear the airport, move up north, and eventually end up as isolated platoon near Syria. Computer access was non-existent out there, but we did get a satellite phone once each month to make a single ten-minute call from. Later, when we consolidated with the battalion, we got access to morale computers and phones. Computers were limited to 30 minutes or less if there was a line, and phones were still limited to ten minutes.

Flash forward to now. I'm at a well-known transit point run by the Air Force, typing away on a laptop that would have been useless during my last deployment. Thanks to wi-fi, I can do nearly anything I can do back home (more, actually, as I didn't get internet at my last residence), and even my cell phone is useful despite having no service out here. Given my neanderthal thought process (gotta use the morale phones), it took a fellow Soldier to inform me of the Magicjack app which just enabled me to speak to my wife, and Pinger just got finished installing so I can text my brother. Granted, wi-fi may not be quite as available once I get to where I'm going, but I'd be surprised if it is nonexistent. Heck, I may even be able to finish my degree over here. Gotta love technology when it works.

And, yeah, I'm one of those career Soldiers who has gone where I've been sent and who, despite being an 11B Infantryman, has nine years of stateside duty since his last deployment. Gotta say I'm glad to get back to business, but even more glad that I'm not stuck waiting for that damned sat phone!

My blackberry got service in Qatar and other places during deployment.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Xparent Red Tapatalk 2

00Silverado4x4 · February 11, 2013

So, here I sit typing this on my handy-dandy new laptop (my first, I'm usually a number of years behind the cutting edge), waiting for the smart phone to charge. The last time I was in a foreign country preparing for war I wore a different uniform and had a slight bit less connectivity.

Let's go back... Ten years ago I was a young(er) Private First Class in one of the finest light Infantry units in the US Army. DCUs were the uniform, and in less than a week I'd be on my way to Kuwait to stage for a possible invasion of Iraq. At Camp New Jersey we had a tent to sleep in, and another to eat in (until a sandstorm knocked it down), and even a conex that contained an exchange (military store) of sorts. I think we had limited computer and phone access, but it's been years, and access was very limited back then. So, we push into Iraq, take Baghddad, clear the airport, move up north, and eventually end up as isolated platoon near Syria. Computer access was non-existent out there, but we did get a satellite phone once each month to make a single ten-minute call from. Later, when we consolidated with the battalion, we got access to morale computers and phones. Computers were limited to 30 minutes or less if there was a line, and phones were still limited to ten minutes.

Flash forward to now. I'm at a well-known transit point run by the Air Force, typing away on a laptop that would have been useless during my last deployment. Thanks to wi-fi, I can do nearly anything I can do back home (more, actually, as I didn't get internet at my last residence), and even my cell phone is useful despite having no service out here. Given my neanderthal thought process (gotta use the morale phones), it took a fellow Soldier to inform me of the Magicjack app which just enabled me to speak to my wife, and Pinger just got finished installing so I can text my brother. Granted, wi-fi may not be quite as available once I get to where I'm going, but I'd be surprised if it is nonexistent. Heck, I may even be able to finish my degree over here. Gotta love technology when it works.

And, yeah, I'm one of those career Soldiers who has gone where I've been sent and who, despite being an 11B Infantryman, has nine years of stateside duty since his last deployment. Gotta say I'm glad to get back to business, but even more glad that I'm not stuck waiting for that damned sat phone!

Amen!

(From an Airman to a Soldier )

Carder09 · February 11, 2013

It was nice in Kandahar too!

music · February 11, 2013

I read an article a couple of months back, that described the impact of wireless technology on "third world" countries. It is literally providing a means for individuals to transition from abject poverty, to the hope and ability to put food on the table, a roof over their heads, and clean water. How? They are gaining access to information that they didn't know existed, and are able to get micro loans to bootstrap their ideas (e.g., run water line from well to house). Folks in the US are becoming "accustomed" to quick information access, which may be a bad thing? My kids have no idea what it was like even 10 years ago, and didn't "learn the old fashioned way" first, meaning that they're not as able to filter out the garbage for the good. Nonetheless, they have access to "answers" (and crap) at their fingertips. I don't think it's terrible, though, since my kids seem pretty quick to pick up on what's truth, and what doesn't make sense.

Thank you for your service!

fm2176 · February 12, 2013

I read an article a couple of months back, that described the impact of wireless technology on "third world" countries. It is literally providing a means for individuals to transition from abject poverty, to the hope and ability to put food on the table, a roof over their heads, and clean water. How? They are gaining access to information that they didn't know existed, and are able to get micro loans to bootstrap their ideas (e.g., run water line from well to house). Folks in the US are becoming "accustomed" to quick information access, which may be a bad thing? My kids have no idea what it was like even 10 years ago, and didn't "learn the old fashioned way" first, meaning that they're not as able to filter out the garbage for the good. Nonetheless, they have access to "answers" (and crap) at their fingertips. I don't think it's terrible, though, since my kids seem pretty quick to pick up on what's truth, and what doesn't make sense.

Thank you for your service!

I know what you mean about information access not being entirely good. I remember when research meant visiting the library and checking out books, or making copies of reference materials. Now, the internet has taken the place of almost everything information-wise. It's not always correct, however, as noted by my professors while I was taking my online classes. Wikipedia and other "sources" are easy to access but not always factual and they are subject to manipulation by persons with malevolent or at the least jestful intent.

A few fellow Soldiers get service out here; one female had a strong signal in Leipzig and again when we touched down here. I have a Boost prepaid plan which makes my phone basically a small tablet while I'm deployed.

Chris · February 12, 2013

I had AT&T and I service in Ireland, Bulgaria, Qatar, deployed location, and Leipzig

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00Silverado4x4 · February 12, 2013

I had AT&T and I service in Ireland, Bulgaria, Qatar, deployed location, and Leipzig

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Xparent Red Tapatalk 2

I still have AT&T and I maintained signal everywhere I went. Even sent some text message back to the wife just to let her know I was still there (although a little costly.)

Chris · February 12, 2013

I still have AT&T and I maintained signal everywhere I went. Even sent some text message back to the wife just to let her know I was still there (although a little costly.)

Yea my texts were $3 each

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00Silverado4x4 · February 12, 2013

Yea my texts were $3 each

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Dang, mine were only 50 cents, but that was also while I was in Afghanistan. Not sure about other countries.

Chris · February 12, 2013

Qatar and afghan were expensive. $1.99 in Qatar and $2.99 in Afghan. I didn't pay for the extended roaming plan and I had a blackberry

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ATMINF · February 14, 2013

Make sure you get started or complete college, I have seen too Many 11B not do any college and miss out on opportunities. Take care and stay safe.

fm2176 · March 3, 2013

Make sure you get started or complete college, I have seen too Many 11B not do any college and miss out on opportunities. Take care and stay safe.

Definitely, I started knocking out some college a couple of years ago, and only stopped due to my PCS. Right now I'm sitting at over a 3.9 GPA and have 8 classes to go for my degree. I'm hoping to resume classes over here, but want to wait until I get where I'm going.

In case any other young service members stumble across this thread, I'll reinforce what ATMINF stated: knock out some college! Regardless of MOS, there are few jobs in today's Army (I can't speak for other branches) that would keep the average person from doing a class or two every semester as least. I am taing part in an online accelerated degree program, where courses last only eight weeks. It's not for everyone, but I prefer it to the regular semester schedule, because I can stay more focused on a smaller number of classes.

I'm debating changing MOS' to a newer one that requires degree completion. Whether I decide to (and aam accepted) or not, though I plan to have a graduate degree before I retire.

ATMINF · March 3, 2013

What MOS are you looking into?

fm2176 · March 4, 2013

I'm considering 51C, Aquisitions, Logistics, and Technology Contracting NCO. It's an awfully complex sounding job to a dumb grunt, but everything I've read about it has piqued my interest. I've also talked to a number of my peers, mentors, and other NCOs and officers, and those who have looked into the field or know anything about it have encouraged me to put in a packet.

I've served in diverse positions/units since joining. Combat Infantry with the 101st, Old Guard, Recruiting, and now Operations. This new MOS would allow me to see yet another side of the Army while continuing to contribute to ongoing operations.