Why does the military not develop functional websites?

SPC Stephen Bobchin — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 16:54:33 -0400

As most everyone here knows, the military does not have the greatest track record for developing functional, effective, or stable websites. The most egregious of which are AKO, MEDPROS and ALMS. My question to you is, what do you feel is the most likely reason for this? Is it too many officers with conflicting demands and visions? Lack of informed decision making in regards to contracting? Or is it a combination? And finally, can it be fixed?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 1:08 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 01:08:36 -0500

SPC Stephen Bobchin, I've been wondering the same. Are these sites created by contractors? If so, maybe it's a case of always selecting the lowest bidder.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 12:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 12:24:51 -0500

You would think with all the funds that Big Army requests every year, a portion of that would be for the right equipment and personnel to make the on-line learning experience more functional than what it is now, especially since it's MANDATORY to do a ton of on-line training. EXTREMELY frustrating when you can't get training done because the site kicks you out, or freezes up on you, and leadership don't want to hear none of that as an excuse why it isn't done.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jan 4 at 2015 12:33 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 12:33:09 -0500

Marine Online (MOL) and Automated Personnel Evaluation System (APES) are actually pretty darn good.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jan 4 at 2015 12:31 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 12:31:34 -0500

Military and functional websites. A few thoughts.
- The military is a conservative organization and does not respond well to change. Properly leveraging new technology, therefore, is a challenge for the military. Note that getting technology onto the battlefield and leveraging it properly (DOTMLPF) are two different things.
- All new technology has issues until it becomes more widely used and leveraged. That is why a person should refrain from buying the first new thing for sale. It is always more expensive and you are the person who will have to deal with the bugs.
- The military, being a governmental agency, approaches things differently than the private sector does and therefore does not have the inherent incentive of profit or limitation of losses to drive innovation. This is why government systems are usually lagging behind private sector systems (usually but not all the time).
- The military has the same but also increased security issues than the private sector does which tends to inhibit innovation.
- We get what we pay for (sometime do not invest enough) and we do not invest wisely (throw a lot of resources at an issue inefficiently and ineffectively).
- NEC job security.

Response by SPC Lukas Jones made Jan 5 at 2015 4:47 AM

SPC Lukas Jones — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 04:47:07 -0500

I believe that some of it is due to compartmentalizations. We can't have one giant website of complete awesomeness as thy would be highly venerable as well as dangerous. Secondly, and more importantly, it all comes down to the money!!! These databases and sites are created and maintained by the lowest bidder.