Going forward, I will be less present here than I have been. I was just counseled about posting during duty hours...

[Farmer-Rick]

49. When phones first came out

We in the Navy could not use them to call home.

Just kidding. But before cells, about the time corporations were charging huge fees to make calls, we could not call home on Navy phones. It was considered
using government equipment for personal reasons. Especially don't use those huge bricks that first came out as mobile phones.

That stupid policy was quickly rescinded because so many family members calling to find out what happened to their loved ones. On shore, anytime a departments had to work late or had minor delays, the phones started ringing off the hook. Tying up lines and personnel for hours.