Digital Garrison is here!
The Installation Management Command has teamed with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service to develop a mobile-capable application that has been deployed across all IMCOM-controlled garrison commands worldwide. Members of the Army family can download the Digital Garrison app to their personal mobile device now for free from both app stores.
“We’re informing and expecting our Fort Meade community to take full advantage of this great technology development,” said Chad Jones, Fort Meade director of public affairs. “Not only does the Digital Garrison App contain up-to-date information about Fort Meade, but it holds that same specific information for each IMCOM garrison worldwide.
“And, on top of that, the App provides access to the AAFES shopping mall on line so community members can take advantage of the great values being provided to AAFES shoppers”
Other important elements contained within the Digital Garrison App are:
• Information specific to each user’s community such as an installation directory, gate locations, fitness and recreation options, events and more.
• The dashboard includes a user profile, weather details and information on local Exchange shopping and restaurants.
• Access to ShopMyExchange.com, with in-app shopping and a mobile wallet with sales promotions and a secure method for storing payment options.
• Digital Garrison integrates information about installation services provided by IMCOM (includes Army MWR) and AAFES, and will soon link to other capabilities and partners like RCI companies and the Defense Commissary Agency.
• Digital Garrison is customizable by the user to provide information specific to one of 62 Army installations. More garrisons will be added as they achieve technical requirements.
• Digital Garrison will continually improve through incorporating user feedback.
The Digital Garrison was piloted by 450 Soldiers and families at 10 garrisons, both inside and outside of the U.S. The pilot validated the need for an app, with users requesting even more installation information than in the initial release.
“Garrison Commanders desired a mobile app to facilitate access to installation services without overtaxing resources,” said Scott Malcolm, IMCOM director of public affairs. “In the summer of 2019, IMCOM was developing two apps, each to correspond with its two networks - https://home.army.mil and https://www.armymwr.com/.
“AAFES was also developing its own app. Since all three intended to provide information and facilitate access to on-post services, the IMCOM Commanding General and the AAFES Director/CEO decided to work together to develop a single app that could present a more complete picture of available installation services in one place. From retail to recreation, and fitness to financial readiness, Digital Garrison connects users with a full range of quality of life services.”
Starting in November, Fort Meade will be transitioning from its current App, so it can fully integrate the Digital Garrison app into the installation’s Digital Meade platform, which already include the Meade TV, social media sites and the new Podcast Fort Meade Declassified.
“Adding Digital Garrison:” to our Digital Meade platform will help us continue to provide engaging timely information to our audiences through multiple mediums users actually use,” Jones said. “Our job is to make information accessible to users where they get their information from. Digital Garrison will help us continue to do that.
The Fort Meade Public Affairs office will provide more information regarding the transition away from its current, popular App, but Jones’ goal is for the transition to be a seamless as possible.
“Currently, Digital Garrison won’t have all the tools we are currently used to, but IMCOM has been dedicated to continuously improving the App for our users. It will also be free to Garrisons, which is a big deal in this time of resource constraints.”
The Digital Garrison App is available as a free download as the Army's enterprise app for its installations and will replace locally managed applications, like the Fort Meade App.