New Apps Reinforce U.S. Troops

When the unfortunate but inevitable occurs and an unfriendly acquires the smartphone previously carried by the soldier...

Just how much do we want the unfriendlies to know about our equipment? That is how much information should be available.

GA

If a soldier isn't trained BEFORE he/she gets into combat on all the tools of the trade, they should not be in combat!

I do not need a manual to tell me how to use any of the tools in my toolbox, because I have been properly trained how to use them. If I don't know how to use them properly, a supervisor should be able to answer any questions that arise, without the need to consult a manual, electronic or paper.

And we sure as heck shouldn't make any of that information available to the enemy!

You have to remember that troops in the field are supplied with new versions of equipment and new weapons. The troops are already there and they are expected to do the best with what they got. You don't have the time to train replacements for those already in the field with new technology. The strength of our military is their ability to improvise on the run. That is how we won every war.

Warfighters, even Army soldiers, use all kinds of sensitive (confidential, top secret, etc.) equipment. It all is subject to spying, whether under our physical control or not. That said, I do hope only unclassified information is stored on such an easily-lost item.

I believe an effort is underway to make a lot (most?) of DOD paper go away.

Instead of firing missiles, troops will soon be able to ring Bangs-R-Us instead. Incredible.

Ohhhh just great, just when the Taliban is attacking an outpost and the risk of being overrun, the Troops can be expected to be playing with their electronic toys instead of manning ther weapons and fighting? If it was my infantry company from years long gone in the thick of things I'd certainly be kicking some ass instead of allowing this BS from happening.

WTF? Soldiers are expected to thoroughly know their weapons and capabilities before being deployed into the field, not the other way around! What has this world come to? Not a good sign IMO.