The Army wants to issue every soldier an iPhone or Android cell phone and pay every soldier’s monthly phone bill, reports the “Army TImes” (http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/12/army-smart-phones-for-soldiers-121210w/).

Lt. Gen. Michael Vane, director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center, said the Army would issue these smart phones just like any other piece of equipment a soldier receives, the article adds. In February, the Army plans to begin fielding phones, network equipment and applications to the first Army brigade to be modernized under the brigade combat team modernization program, says the “Army Times.” The test won’t be limited to smart phones but will include any electronic devices that may be useful to troops.

“We’re looking at everything from iPads to Kindles to Nook readers to mini-projectors,” said Mike McCarthy, director of the mission command complex of Future Force Integration Directorate at Fort Bliss, told the “Army Times.” The Army plans to roll out wireless Common Access Card readers for the iPhone in January and for Android phones in April. This would give soldiers secure access to their e-mail, contacts and calendars.