JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Members of the JBLM community can now download frequently requested info about installation activities and events to Apple or Android mobile device, using the "My Military Communities" (myMC2) smartphone app.
"myMC2" provides easy access to information and event listings for a variety of installation service providers, by consolidating information already being posted to existing Facebook accounts.
Smartphone users can download myMC2 by searching for "My Military Communities" in Google Play or iTunes. Once installed, users can select "Joint Base Lewis-McChord" (or one of more than 30 other participating installations) to view a customer service directory and an event calendar for their base, using the app.
Because myMC2 imports most of its information from existing Facebook pages, most organizations are able to post new events after a brief, 15-minute orientation, said Catherine Caruso, emerging and social media manager for JBLM Public Affairs. "It's easy for customers to use; it's easy for service providers to use. It's a win-win."
The app updates information each time the user opens the app on their phone. If the phone can't establish a connection to the Internet, the app has an "offline" mode that will display the most recently downloaded data, until new information can be updated.
Amy Moorash, chief of advising for Army Continuing Education System at JBLM, said she hopes myMC2 will help ACES reach out to members of the community who might not go looking for it on their own.
"This is going to get all of our event info in one place, for the first time," Moorash said. "It's at a push of a button. I think it's fantastic."
Other JBLM information managers said they're interested in using myMC2 to supplement their efforts.
"It won't replace all our other outreach and marketing. But we're always looking for more ways to get the word out," said Toby Bartley, creative director for Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Marketing.
DFMWR will post selected events in myMC2, while encouraging users to check out the directorate's own mobile app for more extensive information about FMWR activities and events. For more information about the MWR app, visit www.jblmmwr.com.
Senior service commanders can also use myMC2, to provide information of interest to their service members and their families, such as reserve unit training assemblies, ceremonies, "family days," and days of no scheduled activities ("training holidays").
"In a community our size -- JBLM supports more than 100,000 people -- there's no way we can make sure everyone knows about everything that's going on, all of the time. But we can make it easier for people to find the information that's important to them, and myMC2 can help us do it," Caruso said.
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