Abstract: A personal location monitoring system includes a personal locator device and remote location reporting device. The personal locator device includes a portable housing, a wireless communications unit configured to communicate text messages over a wireless communications network, a position determining unit configured to receive position signals from a positioning system, and a processor in signal communication with the wireless communications unit and the position determining unit. The processor is configured to receive a position determination text message via the wireless communications unit, and send at least one position reporting text message via the wireless communications unit responsive to the position determination text message including position data based on the position signals received by the position determining unit. The remote location reporting device is configured to send the position determination text message and to receive the at least one position reporting text message.