[sgt]

Nonsense. I agree, the soldiers should not be permitted to have cellphones in critical areas unless exception is given for some other reason. There are ways to communicate using encrypted communication bands used by police etc. They could be using small handheld devices for 2 way radio and basic messaging.

[ganzuul]

How is that nonsense? Have you never considered what a smartphone can do as a weapon of war? Mobile radios have not been modern for a long time.

[sgt]

Sure, but I think this was largely around their own personal cellular phones. Is that necessary on an army base?