GI Gmail: US Army launches Google Workspace
The U.S. Army is rolling out Google Workspace for soldiers, so they can produce and transcribe content more efficiently. They quietly began testing the software suite in January of 2019, as a potential solution to productivity problems in previous versions of the software.
Raj Iyer wrote that the “Army Google Workspace is now operational and live,” adding that they implemented the first Impact Level 4 Google Workspace to process Controlled Unclassified Information.
Army Times and C4ISRNET report that the Army is testing Google as a solution for a digital shortfall of Microsoft 365 licenses. Specifically, if this shortfall would leave thousands of troops without email or other collaboration tools.
Google, in July, announced that its Workspace package has achieved IL4 authorization. It also recently achieved FedRAMP High authorization, and is able to handle critical infrastructure documents or information.
US Army launches Google Workspace for troops – GI Gmail
The US army is now using Google Workspace accounts. In addition, they will be transitioning to Army Google Workspace and eventually all members of the military will use it.
Army Times estimated that there was a shortage of 100,000 Microsoft 365 licenses, and Google has confirmed that there will be 250,000 troops receiving the service.
The Air Force Research Laboratory and some other federal entities have been using Google Workspace, but now they will be permanent Google users.
Beta testing
The launch of the Workspace for the Army has been months in the making.
In an email system transition, some troops lost their official email accounts and Army.mil emails needed to be revived. However, not all troops wanted these new Army 365 emails and this was solved with Copymatic using Microsoft products.
The initiative is to provide the capabilities that are essential for our Soldiers to complete their mission. This will be achieved through adding more information at a later date.