How difficult is it for someone to upgrade a government computer? Has anyone in the Signal world dealt with anything like this?

I work for the OKARNG NEC as the ISSM. If you spend your money to add components to the computer, you are surrendering it to the government. That SSD becomes federal property as soon as it's connected to the computer. Technically this is true of any peripheral as well, though the DoD did recently allow privately owned speakers, mics, and headsets.

There is also a liability aspect. If you connect something that damages the system, you will be held financially responsible.

As a final caveat, there is also an integrity issue. You signed, or should have signed, an Acceptable Use Policy. That policy includes your agreement not to modify or alter the system without getting authorization.

If you need the upgrade, I'd recommend talking to the NEC about obtaining the parts and getting them installed properly and with permission.

I have worked in IT since 2009. I have done it in Uniform in the Marine Corps and as a Civilian for the Navy. I currently work for the USDA still working on IT. There are several issues and concerns with your question.

I would highly recommend you work with your IT and not make any changes on your own. The biggest issue is liability. You signed a user agreement form when you submitted your SAAR form. You also don’t have the required admin permissions to make any changes to the hardware/software.

If you need a system upgrade work with IT. You may need to identify some funding with your division/section/etc but if you can identify funding and request approved programs/equipment anything is possible.

I would warn against spending your own money because as said by others anything put onto the government network or attached to government systems is subject to confiscation and it offically becomes gov property which is also mentioned in the SAAR you completed.

Just reach out to IT

I worked in Air Force and Army office environments for decades. Somewhere in the 1990s the Services realized they needed to regularly upgrade their IT equipment. Your IT department (S6, G6, etc.) should have an equipment maintenance and upgrade plan. Funding can be an issue, but you should expect your IT equipment to be as up-to-date as your job requires. Check with your IT people to ensure your equipment is on their inventory. If it isn't, it will probably never get upgraded. If it is then it should have an upgrade plan. If the computer is so slow it adversely impacts your job, then turn in a trouble ticket. Finally, no mater how tech savvy you may be, don't mess with your Government computer. It's at least a violation of regulation to do so and can lead to a major security issue--more pain than a slow boot process.