MyMC2 app provides easy access to base events list

by Senior Airman Joshua Eikren
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

11/5/2014 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Team Scott members can get updated information on events happening across Scott Air Force Base with a touch of a fingertip when using the MyMC2 application.

It's called "My Military Communities," or MyMC2, and is the Air Force's mobile application that gives easy access to what is happening around each Air Force installation. The app was created by the 375th Communication Support Squadron Software Engineering Flight in 2012 and is a free download available through both the Android Market and Apple's App Store.

"It's an information one-stop-shop," said Master Sgt. Mark Lorenzo, 375 CSPTS Software Engineering Flight Chief. "On a daily basis, we're inundated with different information channels. Living in the digital age, this is where MyMC2 separates itself from traditional information channels. With the click of an icon, you consolidate event information from virtually every base outlet who participates. With the click of another button, members can add their bases events to their device's calendar, receive reminders and even generate a map to the event."

MyMC2 is the first mobile application in the Air Force that puts a list of events, organizations, and services at a base on a smartphone or tablet. The app pulls information from the multiple organizational Facebook pages that are officially associated with a base and consolidates them into one place.

"MyMC2 is, at the most basic level, an information aggregator and delivery system," said Tech. Sgt. Stephen Watkins, 375th CSPTS Application Development NCOIC. "It reads information posted by public affairs and other base agencies, compiles that info with appropriate meta-data, and displays it to a user based on their base selection and preferences."

In addition to events listings in the app, there are two quick-call buttons on the home page that can be programmed to whatever the installation commander feels are the most important numbers for the Airmen to have. At Scott the two numbers are for the Armed Forces Against Drunk Driving group and a suicide hotline so people have ready access to helping agencies.

"To me, the application is important to be able to provide members access to information that isn't always readily available when a member first arrives at a base, or is looking for other new things to do," said Staff Sgt. Aaron Braswell, 375th CSPTS Application Development Flight Supervisor. "I think the quick dial phone number feature is the most important feature in the application. Having that information readily available to prevent a member (or family member) from committing suicide or driving drunk is priceless."

Since its release MyMC2 has expanded to 50 Air Force bases and one Army installation with a potential reach of 1.7 million military, civilian, contractors and dependents. This app is important to its developers in not only maintaining and growing, but improving, too.

"Recently we've released updates for compatibility with iOS 8 and an update to the calendar to make it more readable," said Braswell. "We will also gladly look at the requested features and possibly add them to the next major update for MyMC2."

The app continues striving to increase awareness, from sharing input with the Scott AFB website calendar to reaching out to support new bases.

"The primary goal of the App is to increase Comprehensive Airman Fitness," said Watkins. "By providing members with information about workshops, base events, and contact information for most, if not all, of their base agencies, we're hoping to give Airmen a tool to get the information they need to strengthen any of the four pillars that they feel may need it. Our personal goal with the App is to have it available for as many bases and DOD personnel as we can."

To download the app you may open your smartphone's app store and search "My Military Communities" Or "MyMC2." You may also download the app from your iPhone and your Android device.

The MyMC2 Facebook page is where people can ask questions and provide feedback about MyMC2 at www.facebook.com/MyMC2support.

If you are with public affairs and would like to request the application for your base please contact Staff Sgt. Aaron Baswell or Tech. Sgt. Stephen Watkins at DSN 576-9410.

For Scott organizations that do not qualify for a Facebook page but would like to advertise their event on the app, please contact public affairs at 256-2600.