Programs allow deployed Airmen to e-mail, chat with family

  • Published
  • By Roger Drinnon
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, IlI. (AFNEWS) --  Air Force officials continue to provide deployed Airmen and their families with Web-based communication tools, allowing e-mail and instant messaging from virtually anywhere in the world.

The Air Force Instant Messenger and Global Internet Mail programs help ease the stress of deployments by keeping family members in touch with their deployed spouse, mom or dad.

"These programs have been around for a while," said Ivera Harris, chief of family matters for Air Mobility Command. "AFIM and GI Mail are tremendous morale builders. These communication tools (also) allow deployed members to stay in touch with extended family and friends such as parents, grandparents, and fiancés.

AMC leaders want to increase awareness of existing programs among Airmen and their family members.

"Leadership is engaged at all levels in getting the word out," said Ms. Harris. "Additionally, the Airman and Family Readiness Center staff includes this information in pre-deployment briefings, deployment packages, newsletters and other marketing avenues."

Air Force family support agencies continually seek feedback from Airmen returning from deployments regarding communication with family members in order to assess programs like AFIM and GI Mail.

"Our Airman and Family Readiness Center provides reintegration briefings to all returning members," said Master Sgt. Deb Teague, readiness NCO for the 375th Mission Support Squadron's center here. "During these briefings, we ask what helped with keeping in touch with their families (during deployment). Besides the weekly 'morale calls,' many members raved about the easy access for family members and how great the instant messaging is through (AFIM)."

AFIM is accessed via the Air Force Portal, and it enables real-time instant messaging with other portal users, including family members. The program alerts users when their contacts are on line and allows families to communicate through private, online chat areas. AFIM enables one-to-one messaging as well as simultaneous messaging to multiple contacts.

In addition to AFIM, deployed Airmen and some family members have the option of communicating via the GI Mail Web-based e-mail service.

GI Mail is for Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System-verified Department of Defense employees -- active duty, Guard, Reserve, civil service, and their authorized family members.

However, current directives prohibit dependent children from using this service. GI Mail provides registered users with a portable e-mail account, accessible from any computer with Internet access and Web browser software. The program is secure and free of commercial advertising, but Airmen must adhere to their respective operational security guidelines while using GI Mail.

Sergeant Teague said she hopes deployed Airmen and their families take advantage of AFIM and GI Mail during deployments.

"We continually stress the importance of communication among families and (AFIM) and GI Mail are successful tools available to both military and families at no cost," she said.

To access AFIM:
· Go to http://www.my.af.mil
· Under the heading, "Friends and Family," click on "Access Friends and Family."
· A tutorial is available for new users to establish their login.

To access GI Mail:
· Go to http://www.gimail.af.mil
· Enter your GI Mail user name and password (if already registered)
· New users click on the "Sign Up" icon to register and establish their login


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