Commentary: Indoors or outdoors, don't use cell phone while walking in uniform

  • Published
  • By By Staff Sgt. Thomas Martell
  • 612th Air Communications Squadron
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Last week after work, I went straight to the commissary to pick up some groceries for my wife. I noticed a young Airman in uniform walking around talking to his wife on his cellular phone, making sure he purchased the right items.

As most husbands would, I sympathized with his effort, so I ignored it at first and expected him to hang up quickly. A few minutes later, he still had not hung up and was now shopping right next to me. So, I informed him that he's not authorized to walk in uniform while talking on his phone and recommended that he ask his wife to send him a text message for reference.

The Airman was polite, hung up immediately and went on his way. I thought, "Excellent - that was simple and professional." Unfortunately, at the end of the aisle, I came across a lieutenant colonel also walking around in his uniform talking on his phone.

I decided that if I am going to correct an junior Airman, it would be hypocritical ignore a superior committing the same infraction. So, I stopped him and told him that I felt compelled to correct him as well. He told me I needed to speak to my first sergeant for clarification; he was sure that, when indoors, you are authorized to use your phone while walking.

Since I could not recall with complete certainty what Air Force Instruction 36-2903 says about cell phones, I told him I would review it again. As I left, I sincerely hoped that I did not correct the young Airman for doing something that was allowed.

When I got back to the office the next day, I checked the AFI for clarification and found that I had remembered the rule correctly. As stated by AFI 36-2903, para. 1.3.2.2.:

Members will NOT: Walk in uniform while using cell phones, radios, hands-free headsets unless required in the performance of official duties using a government issued device.

http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/afi36-2903.pdf