Introduction #
The Army AVD remote environment is different than the old direct login method via commercial internet you are familiar with since 2020 known as FLOW 3. To use Army AVD, you must register. Army AVD is not automatic. The guide below will assist you in enrolling. We recommend you do this from a NIPRNet computer to avoid any issues or complications. Additionally, you will need access to your government email. Don’t use a personal email, those days are gone for the sake of network security.
If you feel the steps are too laborious or too complicated, we suggest you stick with your Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE).
Requirements #
- You must be an Army Contractor, Civilian, or Military Service Member
- You must have an Army 365 account
- US Army, DoD, or installation-imaged computer capable of NIPR access
- NIPRNet access
- Common Access Card (CAC)
- CAC reader
Instructions #
To enroll, follow the steps below: using NIPRNet:
- While on a NIPRNet connection, access the Army AVD enrollment page.
- Follow the provided instructions for the Army AVD enrollment page.
- After clicking the link, you are taken to the ‘Army Enterprise Azure Virtual Desktop‘ MilSuite, login if not already logged in
- Once there, you will see the title ‘Army Enterprise AVD Onboarding’. Immediately to the right at the top of the short column click ‘A365 SharePoint Online Onboarding (NIPR Clients)’
- If required, login to your Army 365 account
- On your ‘Access Packages’ page, click ‘request’ for ‘Army 365 Enterprise Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Onboarding’
- Once you request your access, wait approximately 4-8 hours to one (1) day depending on the volume – be patient
- Continue to setting up via Windows or MacOS on your personal computer:
- Ensure that the Azure Virtual Desktop configuration is the desktop application downloaded from the appropriate source:
- NOTE: Do not use the Windows Store version (many users are ignoring this warning)
- Remote Desktop client for Windows
- Remote Desktop client for macOS
- If using the web browser, Army AVD does not allow for smart card redirection. This means you can only use A365 applications.
- You cannot sign documents via the web browser
- You cannot login to other Army websites via the web browser
- You cannot view encrypted emails and files via the web browser.
- Ensure that the Azure Virtual Desktop configuration is the desktop application downloaded from the appropriate source:
Enrollment Problems #
Some have reported issues when accessing MilSuite from home. We encourage everyone to go through the MilSuite page as it contains additional information, link, and guides we will not publish. Here are a few tips if you experience browser or certificate issues with MilSuite:
- Check for software updates.
- Check you Operating System version is on the latest release.
- Ensure the time on your computer is correct. A mismatch between your computer and the website will lead to an SSL or certificate error.
- Empty your browsers cache, cookies and temporary files.
- Check your browser extensions:
- Are they up-to-date
- Is one of them interfering with your connection?
- Check your VPN to see if it is interfering with your connection?
- Clear your SSL cache
- Verify if your antivirus software is working and if it may be blocking your connection. Sometime AV software is very aggressive and hampers normal functionality.
- Refresh your PC to “reinstall Windows and keep your personal files and settings. Refresh also keeps the apps that came with your PC and the apps you installed from the Microsoft Store.”
Verify Enrollment #
You can verify you enrollment from your computer by re-visiting your “My Access” page to confirm if your account is provisioned for and AVD license.