Satellite phones for Natl. Guard

[littledebbie000 0]

I know that between Elsinore and HH running this for everyone there is always someone who needs and very much appreciates any money you can spare. One of my closest lifelong friends is in the 81st and I am doing everything I can to make sure he is able to talk to his 4 year old daughter when he is over there. I know how wonderful and generous the DZ.com family is and I just thought I would throw this out there for anyone who can spare the cost of part of a jump ticket...
And even if you can't afford anything, please say a prayer or send vibes to my friend and his family that will be waiting for him to come home!

http://www.platoonphone.org/

Here's one of the stories about it.

http://www.komotv.com/stories/29607.htm

[jkm2500 0]

Littledebbie,

I think that this is a great idea, and I wisht that someone would have had this idea a year ago when we got here. However just so you know, there is a dynamic network set up here in Iraq so that all soldiers have the opportunity to call home. Each base camp has received and installed an "internet cafe" which has the capability of supporting 20 computers and several VOIP phones. That is the main form of communication home for many of the soldiers here in Iraq. The bigger base camps have several "internet cafes" and the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation installations are ever improving. The larger base camps also have AT&T phone centers. Your friend would be better off spending the money on Phone cards through either Segovia or AT&T. We are talking back to the States right now for as low as $.05/min. This is a much more cost effective way of talking back to the states than spending a dollar a minute on satellite phones. Another idea for is that the satellite phones that are in use over here are contracted out at $.35/min. You might want to have them look at a different provider.

Another form of communication over here is through the robust tactical network. You can call the states for free, and if there is a DSN operator close to where you are calling the call is completely free. There are drawbacks to using this. It sometimes takes a while to get through on the Tactical phones. I have dialed non-stop for up to an hour before getting through, and then got cut off right after getting through. But it is something that we have learned to deal with. The network is ever improving, and quality of life is improving.

Another idea is to give your friend several prepaid phone cards (if no DSN operator is in the vicinity of the phone call to be placed). You can call any DSN operator stateside and have them put you in touch with the prepaid phone 800 number. This will get you minute-for-minute (unit) value out of prepaid cards.

I use a prepaid (rechargable) AT&T card that I bought through the PX. It costs me $80 to get 1000 units on the card. That is 16.67 hours of talk time, if you can't call home for free. The Segovia VOIP phones are cheaper than that. I think they go for $.039/min.

If the 81st really wanted to help out its soldiers they would set up a 24 hour DSN number that soldiers in Iraq could call and be connected straight to their house. Then it is free for the soldiers. The chain of command has the authority to request this, and they should be able to get it. There are also nationwide operators that will connect soldiers to anywhere in the US. PM me if you would like more info.

I know that your friend will appreciate all that you are doing for him. This isn't meant to rain on your parade, just to let you know that there are more options out there than just Satellite phones.

SGT Josh Marshall
US ARMY
Samarra, Iraq

The primary purpose of the Armed Forces is to prepare for and to prevail in combat should the need arise.

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

What is "the 81st?" I know of no such unit. Do you mean "the 82nd?".

Listen, as good intended as that might seem to you, there are plenty of reasons why individual platoons don't need to have their own satellite phones to call home to mama while they are out on ops. OPSEC is the prime reason. I seriously doubt that this is a program that is supported by the unit's S2.

I would go so far as to disuade people from donating to this "organization" as it reeks of fraud.

Chuck Blue
SFC, USA (RET)

[nightjumps 1]

I'm with Chuck on this one. Any satellite telephone is an electronic emitter. It's not brain surgery to bounce off two points on a distinct electronic ID to triangulate on a a sat phone and get within a few yards. And, without the best of encryptions monitor conversations.

I think if S2 saw an individual soldier running around with a personal satlink, he'd give birth on the spot.

[Zenister 0]

Quote

What is "the 81st?" I know of no such unit. Do you mean "the 82nd?".

perhaps...81st Armored (Infantry) Brigade, WA state national guard, i know they are set to move soon....

but your right Sat phones are way more trouble than they are worth for line units. Lots of potential OPSEC issues and its becomes another high value item to control.
the sentiment is lovely and well founded, but there is quite alot of infrastructure in place now for rotating units...phone cards are the way to go. all the services JKM mentioned are available at most FOBs (certainly all the larger ones) and there are always civilians wandering around that might hook a soldier up in dire need..

i agree that organization looks a bit bogus to me too...the cost of sat phones and service time alone makes their goal more than a bit suspect for the average platoon...

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

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perhaps...81st Armored (Infantry) Brigade, WA state national guard, i know they are set to move soon....

Got it. I completely spaced that this was concerning NG troops. I certainly don't know all of those. Still, as I said in my original response and what you concurred with: this isn't something people need to be donating to.

[littledebbie000 0]

Looking at it more I have to agree with all of you. I saw the story last night on the local news www.komotv.com/stories/29607.htm and the story sounded convincing. It almost made it sound like phone cards aren't an option! But hearing from someone who is actually over there is better than a second hand news story...

Thanks for the input guys!

[katiebear21 0]

As a communications guru I can tell you that these satellite phones are definitely a bad idea. I'll admit that we as the Armed Forces did a horrible job of providing comms to our troops for moral purposes at the beginning of combat operations, but, as was stated previously, things have gotten much better.

There are also security concerns. Anybody in theater can attest to the fact that before any major combat operation in theater all comms were cut off including phones and computers to keep sensitive information contained.

Lastly, I'll tell you that any and all comms in theater have to be approved so if these guys do bring these phones, chances are they won't be able to use them!

Katie

Katie
Get your PMS glass necklace here

[dgskydive 0]

I wonder if this is a real add or a hoax. Like Chuck and them said. Not a good idea. IF I had ever tried to take a cell phone to the field there would have been hell to pay.

Dom

[slug 1]

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I wonder if this is a real add or a hoax. Like Chuck and them said. Not a good idea. IF I had ever tried to take a cell phone to the field there would have been hell to pay.

Hmmm.... they want to raise $1 million, this is the internet, etc. Lets give the guy "littledebbie" the benifit of the doubt and just say they have good intentions but are a little confused.

Glad to have info from the folks that have been there, done that, for a reality check.

R.I.P.