FAQs

The Web site features five navigational tabs:

• Homepage tab - branch-specific information, links, online library (when logged in), and featured weekly articles, materials, and programs
• About tab - an overview of the services we offer
• Find Information tab - contains articles, audio tips, booklets, CDs, DVDs, and Web links
• Tools tab - links to Military OneSource programs, resource lists, self-assessments, podcasts, and financial calculators
• Online Community tab - discussion boards, electronic newsletters, and webinars covering a variety of issues

Watch this video to see a walkthrough of the key navigational features of the site.

Welcome to Military OneSource Online, a 24/7 online service to help you better manage your busy life.

Our site is designed to make navigation quick and easy. The left side of the screen is visible wherever you are on the site. It includes links to contact us and schedule counseling. The tabs at the top of the page are links to tools, information, and all the services available to you. We hope Military OneSource Online becomes a valuable partner to help you juggle your work and life responsibilities.

Visit often. We're here to help.

For optimal viewing and navigation of the Military OneSource Web site, PC users will need Internet Explorer 5.0, or a more recent version. Mac users will need Mozilla Firefox 1.5 or a newer version.

The browsers can be downloaded for free online at www.microsoft.com or www.mozilla.com.

Military OneSource also provides different forms of rich text and audio content that require the following applications:

1. Adobe Acrobat Reader (for viewing portable document format or, as they are more commonly called, PDF files). If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may click here -- www.adobe.com -- to be taken to a site where you can download it for free.
2. Real Player or Windows Media Player (for audio). For a free download of Real Player, click here -- www.real.com. For a free download of Windows Media Player, click here -- www.windowsmedia.com.
3. A sound card and speakers (for audio). Most PCs and Macs manufactured within the past two years have sound cards and speakers. If your computer is not equipped with a sound card or speakers, you can contact the computer manufacturer about where to buy them. Also, a local computer or electronics store should stock sound cards and speakers compatible with your PC or Mac.

Audio files
The streaming audio files on this site can be listened to directly from your computer.

Restricted access to audio files
You may not have access to streaming audio files from work due to network restrictions. A text version is also available for online users to read.

If you have access to Military OneSource Online from home, and your computer has Internet access, a sound card, speakers, and a media player, you can listen to the streaming audio files from your personal computer.

Media players
A media player is a software program designed to play audio and video on the Internet. The "Real" link stands for Real Audio, which is one of the most popular media players on the Internet. The "Windows Media" link stands for Microsoft's media player, called Windows Media Player, which is also a common media player.

When you click on the Real or Windows Media link, a window opens with the media player in it. At the bottom of the player you should see the tape "buffering" and then the tape will automatically begin to play.

Troubleshooting:
If you are not hearing any sound, check the following:

• At work, make sure you do not have restricted access
• Make sure your computer is capable of playing sounds (it has a sound card and speakers)
• Make sure the volume setting on your computer is appropriate
• Make sure the volume setting on the media player is appropriate

Downloading media players
You may have a media player already loaded on your system. If you performed a complete install of Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher, a media player would have been included. If you do not already have a media player on your system, you can download one for free.

Go to the Microsoft Web Site to download Windows Media Player

Go to the Real Web Site to download RealPlayer

Sound quality
Military OneSource has a high-quality media server and has done everything to optimize the online listening experience for our users. High traffic on the Internet, the user's equipment, and the user's connection speed can all affect the quality of the sound.

Downloading individual tracks will create mp3 files on your PC that can be played using any media player you have installed (iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc).

Please note that downloading the entire CD will take some time. It may take 10 to 20 minutes with a high-speed connection, and longer with a dial-up connection. Downloading the entire CD will create a Zip file on your PC that will contain all the tracks. It will also contain a playlist (m3u) file that you can import into any media player (iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc.).

You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF (portable document format) files. If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may download it for free at www.adobe.com.

Once you have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, it's easy to use. Click on the title of the document and it will open. The main benefit of viewing documents in PDF format is that you see the document in the exact format in which the author created it. You may also print the document in this format.

Due to new procedures, Military OneSource has new registration requirements. Branch-specific User IDs and passwords, as well as the generic User ID (military) and password (onesource), are no longer valid. Military OneSource visitors are required to create their own membership, including an individual User ID and password. The registration process is a brief, one-time process that will not require you to disclose personal information other than your branch of service and Unit/Location. As a member of the Military OneSource community, you have access to all of the great resources offered to nonmembers, and you will have access to the entire Web site and all content. You will also be able to subscribe to our many newsletters designed for specific interests, such as Parenting, Single Military Life, and Healthy Living.

Many different booklets, recordings, and other materials of interest are available on our site. Most of the materials are downloadable from the site or can be sent to you via postal mail. A small number are available only in hard copy form that must be sent to you via postal mail. All materials are available free of charge (including shipping and handling).

When you see something you want to order, just click the "add to basket" button next above the item. Added items are stored your basket and can be viewed when you click on the “Basket” at the top of the Web page (accessible at the top navigation bar throughout the site). The basket holds the items for the duration of your visit. You may then continue to browse and add other items that you to receive. When you are done with your visit, you can click the “Basket” link and review your order summary. At this time, you can remove unwanted items from your cart. When your selections are finalized, click on “Complete Order” and fill out the online order form. When the order form is complete, just click the "complete" button. The screen will display your completed form and you will receive a confirmation e-mail that your order has been received.

Follow these steps for APO or FPO addresses:

• Enter the recipient’s full name and address in the relevant fields.
• Enter “APO” or “FPO” in the city field.
• Enter the location where the recipient is stationed in the state field (USA/Canada, Europe, Pacific).

Following these steps will ensure that your order will be delivered in a timely fashion.

Yes. Mac users can access the Military OneSource Web site by using a Mozilla Firefox browser. Firefox can be downloaded for free from their Web site. Military OneSource does not support Safari.

If you have forgotten your password, enter the user ID you provided when you registered. You will receive an e-mail from Military OneSource with your User ID and password shortly.

• Return to Login
• Register with Military OneSource

When logging in to the Military OneSource Web site, please make sure you only have one browser window open. All additional browser windows must be closed to recognize you as logged in.

This happens sometimes when traveling through different email servers. Make sure the entire URL is purple. If the URL is broken, see this powerpoint to fix it.

HTML

HTML version of email is better formatted for viewing, and contains embedded pictures, colors, etc. Though most email programs (including yahoo!® and Hotmail®) display HTML formatted email messages properly, some older e-mail programs may not. In addition, your organization may block HTML newsletters. If you are not sure of your e-mail application, please select the plain text version.

Text

Plain text version of e-mail is very simple and contains no pictures and colors. However, it will have all of the information necessary to view the e-mail newsletters. All e-mail programs are capable of displaying plain text e-mail messages.