Since 2007, the Department of Defense has restricted overseas military personal from accessing a number of popular sites including YouTube and MySpace for reasons largely attributed to bandwidth usage and possible security issues. In honor of Veteran’s Day, Delve Networks has teamed with Military OneSource (a service of the Department of Defense) to launch TroopTube – a YouTube-like site that gives all active-duty military personnel and their families a place to share their videos online.
The site features much of the functionality seen on sites like YouTube or Metacafe, but with one key difference: you won’t be able to embed your clips elsewhere on the net (Military OneSource would like to keep TroopTube somewhat private). The new site is designed for military personnel, but oddly enough it appears that anyone can use the site if they want to (though there doesn’t seem to be any incentive to do so). Either way, the Department of Defense will have full moderation control over what appears on the site, so it will be able to monitor for videos that are potential security risks.
Delve Networks is an online video platform similar to Brightcove and Ooyala, offering developers a set of APIs to help create and manage online video. The platform handles analytics, content delivery, transcoding, and most other key functions through its cloud-based service, though the videos are hosted on TroopTube’s own servers.
Only fobbits — and to a much bigger extent the chair force — had the luxury to bother with Internets and online video.
Hey guys and gals,
Check out MIlitary.com. They’ve been doing this for a couple of years with their Shock N Awe section. Troops download frontline footage and upload it to MIlitary.com. It’s pretty cool, and much better site/design then Militaryonesource or Troop Tube.
If by better site design you mean more cluttered with intrusive ads, then Military.com is the clear winner.
Well Military.com is not government affiliated so fail, go Air Force!
Delve Networks has some pretty smart people on board.
Spoken like a good Delve Networks Employee.
Oh, temper-temper.
I’m not an employee, but I do know some of them. I hope that isn’t, you know, a *crime* or something.
So trooptube will just get blocked now, or did I miss something?
The DoD was involved in its creation, and will have control over what is uploaded to it.
@Alaska Miller
I’m pretty sure Army/Marine videos dominate all video sharing services. I won’t completely attribute this to the fact that less than 50% of the Army has deployed, or the fact that the Air Force has taken over most of the dangerous jobs in Iraq (convoys, search/rescue, detainee apprehension, etc) but I am sure that has something to do with all of the Soldier’s free time.
Personally, I don’t care whether I can access a video sharing service from work – it’s WORK! If I want to get on Youtube I will do so from home. In a deployed environment, I would much rather a service like Skype than another Youtube. AT&T call centers suck…
Plus, most FOBs offer non-DoD Internet services. I’d estimate 98% of the Soldiers/Sailors/Airmen/Marines with laptops at those locations use this service (I did, $35 per month for dialup speeds).
Like most of the DoD’s web strategy – it’s a nice thought, but completely useless due to poor execution and fulfilling a need that doesn’t exist.
@Gordon Page
The thinking is that since they have partnered with Military OneSource they won’t be blocked. Unfortunately, that is not how things work.
Web filters are managed at the installation’s firewalll – with policies being pushed down from higher organizations. This means, if anyone above your base decides to block TroopTube – they can do so. Additionally, if your installation’s Communications commander decides TroopTube is sucking up to much bandwidth, they can block it at the installation level.
This is undoubtedly what will happen – even some of the most comfortable FOBs’ network is based off of microwave shots or at best, a single fiber optic connection to a degrading civilian infrastructure. Every commander will be watching this site carefully and the amount of bandwidth it drains from real world operations – it will be banned in no time.
It is already blocked. I tried to see what it was about and it is blocked. Just like the military… tell us we have something, then not let us use it.
@Michael,
Sorry soldier. You do seem to know a fair bit about how we operate, but on this one, the decisions are being made far above your pay grade. Think 5 stars on the lapel and the joint chiefs. TroopTube is fully sanctioned. TT will be heavily promoted from within.
Agreed, there will continue to be bandwidth limitations in the field, but on bases the bandwidth will be there.
LTC
Oh, boy, I’m sure glad people with lapels AND stars are doing some more thinking! Fruits of a great brainstorm? A youtube for troops!
This is fantastic, wish all my former coworkers at Delve the best. And even better, Troops can now share videos with family and friends!
@David
Good to hear about in-garrison installations but I just can’t imagine how helpful this will be. When the troops say, “We want YouTube” they aren’t saying they want a video sharing site. They are saying, “we want YouTube.”
Best of luck, regardless.
Michael, you’re pretty cocky for an Airman and don’t be so quick to give the Air Force credit for what Marines and Soldiers have been doing from the get go in Iraq and Afghanistan. Get your facts straight before you start saying ignorant and inaccurate comments. As for Marines and Soldiers having free time, trust me, it’s not everywhere and as often as you claim. Been there, done that and free time for us was rare in Ar Ramadi.
About TroopTube, granted it may not be YouTube, but it’s better than nothing at this point. Better than simply pulling the plug on everything. Remember, this effects families and friends back home, as well if they can’t post videos to their loved ones. At least TroopTube will give them that.
I’m shocked to hear that you actually were able to pay a monthly internet connection fee. What FOB were you at? I sure as hell never saw that on the FOBs we were at. Try 3-4 hour waits in line just to get on 3-4 computers serving couple thousand troops. You’re lucky if you got on once a week. Things have obviously improved through the years, so good to hear that.
Semper Fi young Flyboy.
Wasn’t trying to start a flame between us – just got back a week ago from convoy duty and we’re all getting along fine and dandy. We each have our jobs and you “grunts” (and I say it lovingly) have yours. Many people, though, don’t realize – Airmen aren’t sitting behind desks anymore. We’re doing *many* of the “grunt” jobs.
As for the internet connection – they pretty much all have it now. From Marez, through BIAP and Speicher, all the way down into Kuwait – unfortunately you have to pay at every FOB. Personally, I didn’t bring my laptop on the road – I doubt the warranty covers IEDs and EFPs.
Anyways – thanks for your service and happy Vet’s Day, sounds like you’ve headed to the civilian side. Hope they gave you the day off!
-Day off… nope, but I did blow most of the day sending my personal “Thank You’s” and “Happy Birthdays” to fellow Marines and Veterans that I keep in touch with.
-If you’re still deployed, keep your head low and be safe out there.
-Yes, I left active duty officially on 11/02/08, secured my military uniforms, dawn and cleared my civilian attire and am now part of the boring corporate world. A long shot from where I was last year, but not complaining. Once a Marine, Always a Marine!
Semper Fi!
AND BY THE WAY… FOR ALL YOU SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN, MARINES, COASTGUARD… HAPPY VETERAN’S DAY!
FOR EVERYONE ELSE, TAKE A MOMENT TO REMEMBER AND APPRECIATE WHAT OUR BRAVE VETERANS HAVE SACRIFICED FOR OUR COUNTRY! ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.
@Sammy
Good point. This is about the soldiers and their families. Yes, YouTube is a great entertainment site. However, the military imperative is about ensuring members of the armed services and their loved ones are able to communicate. Most of the videos on TT are of that nature. Music videos are nice, but when you are in the middle of the desert dodging bullets – it’s the people back home that keep your spirits high.
@Michael
I do think you are one Airman in need of a slight attitude adjustment. I understand you’ve chosen to end your service to your country, but I do believe you are still officially a Staff Sergeant for many months to come. Remember, son, you represent the uniform in everything you say and do.
Publicly blasting an official DoD sanctioned project, on a civilian message board, is behavior unbecoming of an officer (noncom or not). I would have expected you to have received proper leadership training at the ALS. Perhaps your CO would have an opinion about your comments, attitude, and judgement.
LTC (Lt Col)
David, I’m not “blasting” the project, maybe just not stating my opinion well.
I think TroopTube is a good effort – it’s always nice to see hard work put in on something for the military community – and I am sure some people will get use out of it. But, it is my opinion, that it won’t see the widespread use nor be seen as the solution for the “YouTube-need” that a lot of people hope it will be.
Additionally, there was some light-hearted “branch flames” between myself, Sammy and Alaska Miller. As an LTC, you know this is the norm, and is only meant in good fun. With a comment like “Only fobbits — and to a much bigger extent the chair force — had the luxury to bother with Internets and online video” is to be expected.
Finally, publicly expressing a personal opinion of any project, whether it be DoD sanctioned or sanctioned by God himself, is behavior becoming a living, breathing person. Publicly expressing personal opinion of a DoD project is behavior becoming an American, taxpaying citizen and educated Airman.
The UCMJ and Patriot Act can stretch far – but not that far.
Happy Vet’s Day!
Point taken. I for one am pleased to see this man’s army take a few risks and embrace technology.
Happy Vet’s Day!
LTC
so they can’t go to youtube because it uses to much bandwith, but because DOD had its hand in trooptube, bandwith is no longer an issue?
Seams like utter BS to me.
@Envy: Although I haven’t actually taken the time to read deeper into the claim that bandwidth was the primary factor, I think Dave(LtCol) brought up a good point…
“Most of the videos on TT are of that nature. Music videos are nice, but when you are in the middle of the desert dodging bullets – it’s the people back home that keep your spirits high.”
YouTube is clearly used more for entertainment, etc. At the end of the day, when I returned from a 3-4 day mission, firefights, etc. and I was able to get a break, sure I threw on a set of headsets and popped in a CD, but nothing can compare to a video greeting from a loved one back home. I would imagine far less bandwidth will be used for TroopTube compared to YouTube.
But I do see your point on “BS”. There’s some of that in any large organization… right?
@Michael: No offense has taken on my part… and although I can see you seem to be an intelligent person able to articulate your thoughts well… if you were one of my Marines and you even thought about saying something like this… YOU WOULD PAY!
Seems to be an issue with the younger generation of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines… they’re too smart for their own good these days! lol.
Again… Happy Veteran’s Day!
“ECHO 6 VICTOR” OUT!
It takes alot of propaganda and brain washing to get young kids to go and die for oil or some other unworthy reason. Youtube and other video sharing sites were obviously dangerous because soldiers could have access to opinions and voices from people from all over the world, and start thining about things, and questioning. With trooptube the military has total control over what soldiers see.
@Bob13: I respect your opinions and to some degree, I believe the war in Iraq was not handled as it should have, there’s no brainwashing. It’s simply following orders, but I do agree with you regarding:
“access to opinions and voices from people from all over the world, and start thining about things, and questioning. With trooptube the military has total control over what soldiers see.”
I don’t know anyone that fully and completely agrees with the decisions that are being made in Iraq… or Afghanistan for that matter. Many are simply following orders and I can’t fault them for that. With so much politics within the military ranks, as any organization, it’s a tricky line to cross.
I think Trooptube could work. The problem with youtube is that they could upload embarrassing videos.
Look at this… you can read a book or play a game with your child age 3-8.
If you can enjoy it in real time, you can record yourself reading a book and send to your child back home.
Seems a great site for Military families.
@Mike: Great concept, but the site could use some streamlining, making it a little easier to use and not so much clicking page to page to set everything up. TroopTube and YouTube are great for this concept! Wish I would have something like this for my kids when I was deployed. Very cool. Good luck with your project.
Good to hear!
Also, Swaptree.com now supports all APO/FPO addresses worldwide, so our troops can trade books, CDs, DVDs, and video games with each other from any base around the globe.
Swaptree.com is another fantastic site!
sounds like government control to me. And Delve Networks capitalizing on the opportunity… i wonder if the government opened this for bids to allow others the opportunity?
There is another website that launched on Veteran’s Day:
http://www.greatamericans.com
GreatAmericans is focused on honoring all of the men and women in uniform that serve our nation. They have categories ranging from all branches of the military to law enforcement, fire, rescue, etc. They are not censoring the videos that are uploaded like TroopTube is.