# Military Dopers..little help? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 19, 2001, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540 "2001-09-19T05:14:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dragonlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@dragonlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragonlady)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/1 "2001-09-19T05:14:40Z")
My son is active duty Navy. On Diego Garcia. (Please don’t snicker.) He is a CTO, if that helps. I heard from him on Tuesday morning, to tell me to turn on CNN, but nothing since. He usually emails several times a week, sometimes every day. Yesterday was his birthday and we had set up a time for him to call. Nothing. Is there a reason that he might be being held incommunicato? Other than he got drunk on his birthday and is in the brig? ---
**Author:** ![Tedster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@Tedster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tedster)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/2 "2001-09-19T06:50:56Z")
In ‘situations’ like this, it is not uncommon for servicemembers communications to be restricted, this is for their own safety. It is much more difficult to obtain this type of security in an age of Cell phones and email. What is _not_ desired is for individual troops to call home and tell family members or friends details of their whereabouts, equipment, or anything that may provide information ‘intelligence’ to potential enemies. Rest assured that he will contact you when he is able and it is prudent to do so. Remember that his current mailing address is still good and they will forward mail to him. ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/3 "2001-09-19T14:01:55Z")
It’s also possible that phone communications are being restricted to official business just to keep the lines free. ---
**Author:** ![dragonlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@dragonlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragonlady)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/4 "2001-09-19T14:47:57Z")
Thanks, Tedster. That’s pretty much what I’ve been telling myself. And CTO’s do deal with classified stuff besides. (I’m sure how, he’d have to kill me, I guess!) Poor boy, stuck on Diego Garcia AND burdened with a worry-wort Mother. And I did remember snail mail…but that takes about two weeks in each direction…and I want to hear from him NOW! ---
**Author:** ![light\_strand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a6a055/32.png) [@light\_strand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/light_strand)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/5 "2001-09-20T01:36:25Z")
I think I heard on NPR today that Diego Garcia is being used as a staging area and that many of the military planes that took off today are being sent there. It wouldn’t surprised me, as it was also a staging area during the Gulf War. I’m sure all is fine. The military isn’t too fond of “non-secured” phone lines, so I’m sure that is why he’s incommunicado. ---
**Author:** ![dragonlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@dragonlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragonlady)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/6 "2001-09-21T01:07:44Z")
Pretty fast on the uptake bio-brat! I read today that Diego Garcia is indeed being used as a staging area this time,too. I’m a little unclear on why that would make a difference in troops accessing the internet or “land-line” phones, though. Maybe, being in communications, he has different rules to follow, but he used to email me from work. Does anybody know if any “active duties” have been posting in the last week? ---
**Author:** ![Yeah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/dbc845/32.png) [@Yeah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeah)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/7 "2001-09-21T01:16:03Z")
I notice that some of the web pages for Diego Garcia aren’t available today. I’m sure they are just restricting access and outgoing mail for security reasons. As for being “stuck” on Diego it doesn’t look all that bad. Have you seen the photos at the following site? [http://cartoonlife.tripod.com/diegoscenes.html](http://cartoonlife.tripod.com/diegoscenes.html) ---
**Author:** ![dragonlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@dragonlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragonlady)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/8 "2001-09-21T02:49:29Z")
Actually, I didn’t have that link, although I had the official ones he links to. You’re right, it doesn’t look half bad, but from a young mans view it sure looks different! The Boy (my son) complains about no fast food franchises, very old movies, and lack of willing female companions. From his middle-aged Moms perspective… Well, sign me up! ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/9 "2001-09-21T14:06:59Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m a little unclear on why that would make a difference in troops accessing the internet or “land-line” phones, though. Maybe, being in communications, he has different rules to follow, but he used to email me from work. > Does anybody know if any “active duties” have been posting in the last week? A lot of the “Active Duties” have gone quiet. No doubt they’re just too busy, or are actually off doing something where communication is minimal. Diego Garcia is in the middle of the Indian ocean, and didn’t have “land lines”, last I was there. With military units streaming in, all communications facilities are likely tied-up with official business, and as a CTO, your son is likely more busy than a one-armed paper-hanger. Give him a week or so for things to settle-out, then try again. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/10 "2001-09-21T14:14:59Z")
Oh, and while we’re at it, being stationed on Diego Garcia is close to hell, from a young sailor’s point of view. Until fairly recently, there were _no_ women on DG, and there was nothing to do but get drunk and swim. Except that the bar was owned by the Brits, who had a habit of kicking everyone else out of the bar early so their troops & sailors could have exclusive use through the evening. So, all that was left was swimming. After a while, even swimming gets old. The Nav considers DG to be a “hardship” posting. ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/11 "2001-09-21T15:25:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tranquilis \* > \*\* Until fairly recently, there were _no_ women on DG… \*\* Not to nitpick or anything, but define “fairly recently.” The one time I was on DGar, which was in IIRC 1987, there were women stationed there, just not very many. I was only passing through for a few days and found myself very popular, since the “local” women were so scarce. Back to the OP, I’m sure your son’s lack of communication is simply due to either his being extremely busy or personal communication being restricted for operational reasons, as others have mentioned. So, while I understand a mom’s tendency to worry, he’s probably fine. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/12 "2001-09-21T15:34:55Z")
Ah, how time escapes… Now that I think about it, I believe the first women were stationed there in '85 or '86. :o Damn, but that seems like just last week to me. Or maybe I’m getting senile dementia a little early… ---
**Author:** ![Yeah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/dbc845/32.png) [@Yeah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeah)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/13 "2001-09-21T16:59:13Z")
Correct me if I’m wrong but it is my understanding that in normal times there are a lot of flights with empty seats going west from DG to Europe (via the Middle East) and east from DG to Bangkok, Singapore and Japan (and occasionally to Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand) so that after you get tired of the wind surfing, SCUBA diving, and beer drinking you can take leave in some pretty interesting places. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/14 "2001-09-21T17:28:11Z")
I’ve never been there, but I know some of the communications setup (I helped design part of it), and it wouldn’t be surprising for most or all of the available lines to be reserved for official use only at this stage. The available bandwidth is limited, and personal calls get low priority. Even if personal traffic is allowed, he’d have to wait his turn–I’m sure just about everyone there wants to talk to somebody back home. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/15 "2001-09-21T17:37:49Z")
> [@](#): > > …after you get tired of the wind surfing, SCUBA diving, and beer drinking you can take leave in some pretty interesting places. Mostly true, but it requires that you have ‘leave’ available, a work schedule (manning levels) that permits, and a Division Officer that’s not a prick… ---
**Author:** ![Profane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47774/32.png) [@Profane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profane)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/16 "2001-09-21T18:23:39Z")
I live near Norfolk (my hub is a submariner) so I hear a lot of news regarding all things Navy. All outgoing email has been stopped from ships and boats, so that would probably include your son’s as they all go though the same channels. Try going to [http://www.pilotonline.com](http://www.pilotonline.com) , it’s the local paper and will have more Navy relaed news than you may be currently getting. I’m sure he’s safe, and doing a good job. ---
**Author:** ![Profane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47774/32.png) [@Profane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profane)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/17 "2001-09-21T18:27:48Z")
Oops, I forgot they they a page just for military stuff : [http://www.pilotonline.com/military](http://www.pilotonline.com/military) ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/18 "2001-09-21T18:44:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Yeah \* > \*\*Have you seen the photos at the following site? > [Diego Garcia Scenes](http://cartoonlife.tripod.com/diegoscenes.html) \*\* Gee. The pictures of the wharf and the fuel farm aren’t available. Wonder why? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dragonlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@dragonlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragonlady)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-dopers-little-help/82540/19 "2001-09-22T03:10:33Z")
Thanks Everyone! His Dad was temporarily assigned to DG in 1982. He said the first women arrived then. There were six in the first group. At least they were the first women “assigned” there, there may have been others there “passing through”. He said the funniest part was that now you could get womens underwear in the NEX, but there was a sign stating that those items “would be sold to women only”. And the Playboy magazines were put under the counter! As for the R&R stuff: there are at least 4 bars on the island now, including an Enlisted Club. Also bowling, boating,a computer center, a couple of “fast food” places, a coffee bar, an outdoor movie theater, and the R&R camping site. I guess things are looking up. And they don’t call it a “hardship” assignment, now it’s “an isolated duty station”. I’m sure they feel much better about that.