Do you use milSuite?

CW5 Jim Steddum — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 12:17:12 -0500

milSuite is a social media tools for the Department of Defense and supports Web 2.0 solutions behind the firewall (CAC enabled).

milSuite is a collection of online applications focused on improving the methods of secure collaboration for the United States Department of Defense. The effort is produced by the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications-Tactical's MilTech Solutions office with the online suite consisting of four applications: milBook, milWiki, milWire and milTube.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Dec 30 at 2014 12:25 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 12:25:44 -0500

I use milSiute Chief, but not for social media. Back in the day, I used to receive almost daily S1Net emails with updates for ALARACTs, MILPER Messages, etc. Once that went to milSuite, I created an account so I could still have access to that resource. I haven't ventured farther than that. Is it worth going further? What else does the site have to offer?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 12:39 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 12:39:18 -0500

more people need to use it. it is a great tool if people participate. Since they don't there isn't much use for it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 1:04 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 13:04:34 -0500

I use it, but only because S1 Net migrated over. I find it cumbersome and not easy to navigate. The DoD needs to do a better job showing us how this can a value added benefit.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 2:33 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 14:33:05 -0500

Our Navy Chaplain Corps has migrated to milBook for sending out information to the Corps, so yes I use it. However, as 1SG Private RallyPoint Member said, I find it cumbersome and not easy to navigate. I think the system has potential as a collaboration tool, unfortunately it's not very intuitive which leads to people logging in to check the one area that they need to check and then immediately loggin right back off.

Response by COL Randall C. made Dec 31 at 2014 1:29 PM

COL Randall C. — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 13:29:43 -0500

milSuite is a (not so) hidden gem that every service member needs to be knowledgeable of for one simple reason - The Service's are migrating to digital distribution for the majority of information and this is the official medium for it. As many have commented, the interfaces could be better, but do not let that detract from the information that is available to all CAC holders. The Army is the predominant use of milSuite at the moment, but use by the rest of the Services is increasing.

Most S1Net consumers know that it migrated over to milBook a few years ago. If you don't know what S1Net is, you're missing a (https://www.milsuite.mil/book/community/spaces/apf/s1net) plethora of information on Army topics relating to active duty, reserve component and retired soldiers. As CW5 Jim Steddum stated, it's probably the best resource I've discovered that has relevant info to my profession.

Army doctrine (TRADOC) is quickly becoming synonymous with milSuite (https://www.milsuite.mil/armydoctrine). As part of Doctrine 2015, TRADOC is completing the move away from the "traditional" doctrine books with a ponderous update cycle to something that can be streamlined and more 'friendly' to the field. Of particulair note to the non-TRADOCians out there is that ATPs are designed to be interactive with the experts in the field .. so if you ever complained about what you're seeing in the official pubs, this is your chance to directly influence/change it (make sure to look over https://www.milsuite.mil/wiki/Army_Doctrine_Rules_of_Conduct first though).

I could go on regarding content, but the easiest way to find sources of (mostly) official information is just to use the search box and explore.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 11:00 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 23:00:38 -0500

Yes, I use milsuite frequently and I beat the utility of milbook, milwiki, miltube, and eureka into my students. However, it is a cumbersome system.

My key issue is that it's not guaranteed to be permanent, not unlike the APF. The contract is for a predetermined number of years and it takes longer for the institutional change to incorporate innovations such as milsuite.

My favorite example is all the WOCs who have to sign up for milsuite before attending WOCS and lose their minds.

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made Jan 28 at 2015 6:22 PM

CW5 Jim Steddum — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 18:22:49 -0500

milSuite just hit 500K users this month. After five years as a DoD enterprise, their are finally getting off after a very slow start.