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TOP 5 FAQHow do I retrieve my password and username? Click the "Reset Your Password" on the AF Portal logon screen at https://www.my.af.mil and follow the directions. If that option fails, please contact your Content Manager first and then the AF Portal Help Desk. You will need to login within 24 hours of requesting this temporary password, or you will need to request a new password again. You will be prompted to change your password at login. Please note that on the Change Your Password screen, the “Old” password will be the one that was just emailed to you and the “New” password will be one that you will create at that time. You will need to enter the “New” password 2 times for access. Why is my new password not working? Windows might be storing your password. You should not store your password(s) in windows, because this leaves you open to security vulnerabilities. To remove your stored password(s) in windows, please do the following two steps:
Why do I need an AF Portal account? Some of the many benefits you will realize by having an AF Portal account are:
General InformationThe Air Force Portal is the primary access vehicle for all personnel into the Air Force Web Enabled systems and applications. You can think of it as the Air Force’s worldwide intranet. It is available to all users anytime and anywhere an internet connection is available from .com or .mil connections. The AF Portal and allows you to quickly find the latest knowledge of your choosing based upon your ROLE within the Air Force community. The AF Portal has a robust security environment, single sign on capabilities to 100s of applications, user specific views tied to the role based security, Instant Messaging capabilities to both, Air Force Members and Friends and Family members, Communities of Practice, News and Information, Personnel, Library, and Life information. Why can’t I use other browsers? Internet Explorer is the only browser fully supported. Other browser types are not fully supported; however, they do function with limited capability when accessing the AF Portal. What are the AF Portal Software Configuration Requirements? Please check the following link to verify minimum and recommended software requirements. Ask your Workgroup Manager for assistance verifying your software configuration and/or performing required upgrades. Why does it take me back to the AF Home Page after a period of inactivity? The AF Portal times out after a period of inactivity to save server resources. When you click a link, application, or capability AFTER you have reached this threshold inactivity time, you will be taken back to the AF Home Page but do not need to log in again. Why am I seeing a "Security Alert" dialog box when I connect to the AF Portal? The reason that you are seeing the "Security Alert" dialog box display is that the DoD Trusted Certificate Chain is not installed on your desktop. If this is a DoD workstation, please contact your Workgroup Manager to update your desktop. More information on this process can be found at https://afpki.lackland.af.mil/html/rootchaininstallation.asp. If this is a Personal Computer connecting from the Internet, please log into the AF Portal and follow the instructions contained at this link: https://www.my.af.mil/NIPRDODCerts_v1_0.EXE. AIR FORCE PORTAL ACCOUNT REGISTRATIONHow do I register for an AF portal account? Personnel must have a Common Access Card (CAC) in order to register for the AF Portal. This is consistent with DoD policy requiring all personnel to have a CAC by April 2004. Personnel who do not have a CAC should follow local procedures of their servicing MPF to obtain a CAC. After 48 hours from CAC issuance, users can attempt self registration through the AF Portal at https://www.my.af.mil. Users with questions or problems after the 48 hour time period should contact their assigned Content Manager. Can retirees and dependents register? Currently, the AF Portal team is focused on delivering capabilities to the military, civil service community and base support contractors. In the long term, the AF Portal will support the entire AF community: Active Duty, Reserve, Air National Guard, civil servants, retirees, dependents, and our support contractors. As we evolve the AF Portal we intend to offer capabilities to our retired and dependent communities such as quality of life information and self-service personnel and financial applications. Please stay tuned to the AF Portal and the AF Link public website over the next year for more information on AF Portal registration for retirees and dependents. Can Foreign Affiliates/Nationals register? The current GCSS guidance regarding AF Portal access for Foreign Affiliates is contained below. The term Foreign Affiliates (FAs) refers to all Local and Foreign Nationals. All FAs are now assigned a standard 9-digit unique identifier called a Foreign National ID number. FAs can get their ID information from their Civilian Personnel Office (CPO). The new 9 digit unique identifier is alpha/numeric (alpha in the middle two characters). The Field Assistance Branch (FAB) has been directed to have Foreign Affiliates fill out an AF Portal Form 41 with this Foreign National ID number. Once a valid Form 41 is received, the AF Portal Operations Team will create your account. The Form 41 will still have to be signed by the appropriate approval level. A signature of Security Officer validating a National Agency Check (NAC) and a signature of an AF Military/Civilian sponsor validating need is mandatory. Where can I find a copy of the AF Portal Form 41? The AF Portal Form 41 can be accessed at the following link AF Portal Form 41. What is the account verification process? After you have completed registration, the AF Portal will check the AF Directory Services database that includes all AF personnel. If that check fails, there is a secondary database check at the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC). How long does it take to get the registration email? The e-mail should be sent within minutes, but it may take hours for e-mail systems to pass the message. If you do not receive a response within 24 hours, please check your junk mail folder in your email first and then contact the AF Portal Help Desk. What does it mean when I get the message “SSN # already exists”? If you attempt to register for an AF Portal account and receive a message stating your SSN# already exists this means you have already registered for an account. Click the "Reset Your Password" on the AF Portal Login Screen at https://www.my.af.mil and follow the directions to retrieve your password and username. You will need to login within 24 hours of requesting this temporary password, or you will need to request a new password again. You will be prompted to change your password at login. Please note that on the Change Your Password screen, the “Old” password will be the one that was just emailed to you and the “New” password will be one that you will create at that time. You will need to enter the “New” password 2 times for access. The email said I couldn’t self-register, what’s next? If you are able to obtain a CAC Card, ensure it is a valid USAF CAC Card (vice DOD). If your CAC is valid, or you are unable to obtain a CAC, and you still cannot self-register, fill out a Form 41 downloaded from the Registration Requirements link on the AF Portal Login page or obtained from the Help Desk. Ensure all 3 parts are filled out correct per the instructions on the Form or we will be unable to process your registration request. How is my SSN information protected? SSN is being utilized at the direction of the AF CIO. System security and data protection is of the highest concern for the AF Portal--to ensure protection of privacy data such as SSNs, and also the combat support information being used for ongoing operational missions. Please know the on-line registration data is encrypted and securely transmitted via Secure Socket Layer (SSL), stays within the AF Portal environment, and is physically protected within the DISA computer center at Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex. The AF Information Warfare Center has performed onsite and remote validations several times to ensure the security and configuration of the system and the data protected within it. The AF Portal uses the SSAN as the unique identifier to verify your identity for authenticating and authorizing the creation of an account. PROBLEMS LOGGING IN & ERROR MESSAGESHow do I retrieve my password and username? Click the "Reset Your Password" on the AF Portal Login Screen at https://www.my.af.mil and follow the directions. If that option fails, please contact the AF Portal Help Desk. You will need to login within 24 hours of requesting this temporary password, or you will need to request a new password again. You will be prompted to change your password at login. Please note that on the Change Your Password screen, the “Old” password will be the one that was just emailed to you and the “New” password will be one that you will create at that time. You will need to enter the “New” password 2 times for access. What does it mean when I get a “Gateway Default Error?" User's will receive a "gateway default error" when trying to use a bad URL to login to the AF Portal. The correct URL is https://www.my.af.mil. The error also gives the user the following option:
"To return to the Air Force Portal: please click here <https://www.my.af.mil/gcss-af/afp40/USAF/ep/home.do?BV_UseBVCookie=No>”
Once the user clicks on the above link, the user's AF Home Page will open up. This error condition results from a multitude of conditions. If you are looking a specific piece of content, please try refreshing the page. If you still cannot access the content you seek, please attempt the two fixes below before contacting your Content Manager. Please follow these instructions, before logging back into your Portal account:
What does it mean when I get an “Invalid Authentication Information Error?” This error occurs when you have entered a “new” password that does not follow the rules for a good Portal password. Please ensure that all passwords follow these rules:
INSTANT MESSAGING (AFIM) AND EMAILWhat is Air Force Instant Messenger (AFIM)? The AF Instant Messenger (AFIM) enables real time communication with other AF Portal users. AFIM alerts users when their contacts are on line and allows them to communicate through private online chat areas. AFIM enables both one to one and one to many communication methods. What are the Rules of Engagement for AFIM? The Air Force Instant Messaging (AFIM) service may be used for official and unofficial communication enhancing the quality of life of our Air Force men and women on and off duty. However AFIM may not be used for inappropriate or illegal activity, including the communication of offensive or obscene language or material, defined as racist or sexually harassing or explicit language or material. Violations of AFI 33-129 may result in prosecution under Article 92 of the UCMJ. Do not discuss classified or sensitive information. AFIM is subject to monitoring at all times. Use of AFIM constitutes consent to monitoring. The AFIM is located in the upper right section of the AF Portal Home Page above the “What’s New Section” and titled “AFIM.” The AFIM button can be found on every page no matter where you reside on the AF Portal.
How do I add a Friend and Family Member to AFIM?
What if my Friend and Family Member has a problem with AFIM? If a Friend and Family member has an issue with their account, this could be attributed to a password error, a locked account, or a system configuration issue. To ensure you take the proper action to alleviate the issue, please follow these steps:
You must have the correct software loaded on your computer to support AFIM/AF Portal. FFIM requires Java Runtime Environment (JRE) of 1.4.2. However, FFIM and Java version 1.5.0 are NOT compatible. If you have Java 1.5.0 loaded on your work computer, you will be unable to use AFIM.
If you have Service Pack 2 for Windows XP loaded on your computer, you will need to allow pop-ups. AFIM on the AF Portal is considered a pop-up.
Why can’t I use other instant messaging services? Other Instant Messaging capabilities have security vulnerabilities and as such are not “linked in” with the AF Portal IM. AFIM is the DoD approved IM solution. What is the “Email” link in the top right corner? This email link gives you the ability to access your base’s WebMail. Just populate the proper webmail URL under “My Profile” and “View/Edit Your Personal Details.” Where does the email address in “My Profile/Personal Details” come from? The email in your “My Profile/View/Edit your Personal Details” is the email that you entered upon registering for an AF Portal Account. You need to update this email via your Personal Details section, if you deploy, PCS, etc. COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE (CoP)What is a Community of Practice (COP)? A Community of Practice is a group of people connected to each other by a need to solve common problems, develop skills, and share common practices. A Community of Practice typically shares a common responsibility or function. Community members collaborate to more effectively accomplish their mission.
The Community of Practice workspace is owned by the team who initiates the request. The team is responsible to populate and maintain the content (documents, links, briefings, etc.) for the Community of Practice workspace There are several categories of Community of Practice workspaces. Some Communities of Practice are open to all Knowledge Now users and do not require a login. Some Communities of Practice are open to all Knowledge Now users but require a user login. Other Communities of Practice are closed to Knowledge Now users and require application via an e-mail link on their homepage for membership. Each Community of Practice sets its own criteria for membership. Individuals can belong to as many Communities of Practice in which they have time to participate. To request information on setting up a Knowledge Now Community of Practice workspace, Contact the Knowledge Now team
What’s the difference between a COP versus a Community of Interest? The Air Force Knowledge Now Communities of Practice are the official collaboration tool of the Air Force. As such, the Communities of Interest are being deprecated over time. CONTENT QUESTIONSHow do I know what new capabilities are being added to the AF Portal? We announce capabilities via the following avenues:
Look at the “Application” section under the “Air Force A-Z” index found on the right hand navigation of any AF Portal Page. Application POCs for questions or access issues will be identified on the Application A-Z entry when available. Additionally, users can search for the application using the AF Portal search function in the top of the right hand portal navigation menu. If the application is not found, contact the Application Owner or the appropriate Content Manager. How can I find base information? The base index is located on the right navigation bar under the header of Air Force A-Z. Upon clicking the bases link you will be taken to an Air Force Base listing directory. Why don’t all bases have web pages available on the AF Portal? Content is constantly being loaded to include all bases. Content Managers are the responsible POCs for ensuring this data is timely and accurate. How do I add my bookmarked favorites to Web Favorites? This feature allows your “Favorites” to travel with you – whether you PCS or just TDY. No longer will need to write down (or export) all of your favorite links. Your favorites will always be there for you. The link for “Web Favorites” is located on the right hand side of any page. To add your favorites into the AF Portal click the Web Favorites link in the right hand navigation bar, click the Import Favorites button on the top bar and follow the accompanying instructions. Content Managers (CMs) oversee an organization’s efforts of content publishing. CMs work and collaborate with content publishers and owners to ensure their information on the portal is current, accurate and in compliance with the applicable Air Force Instructions (AFIs) and AF Portal Publishing guidelines. Responsibilities include publishing content, edit and or approving content, deleting content, the processes surrounding the approval and quality assurance of content. CMs serve as your main point of contact for your organization to the AF Portal. To view the complete list of MAJCOM Content Managers, select the Library Tab, About the Air Force Portal, and select the link for AF Portal Content Managers List. Why am I unable to locate a user in the Air Force Portal White Pages? The AF Portal provides the interface to the Air Force Directory Services (AFDS) White Pages Directory. The validity and accuracy of the data provided is only as good as the latest update from the AFDS Program Office and the Global Address List (GAL). Contact your local help desk to update information. Why can’t I get the Search results I expect? The AF Portal Search feature provides the means for Basic and Advanced searching. Searches can take place against information on the AF Portal Only or all .mil sites. To ensure your search results match your expectations you will need to narrow your search criteria via the AF Portal Advanced Search capability. CUSTOMIZATION & MY PROFILEHow do I customize/personalize my AF Portal account? The My Workspace and My Workspace -> MyWork areas of the AF Portal allow you to select the content, the presentation, and the functionality of the portal according to your individual needs. You will see the “Customize this Page” on the left hand navigation bar within each of these areas. For more information regarding customization, please see the Help link in the top right hand corner of the AF Portal. How do I make “My Work” the default page once logged in? By following these instructions, you can make various pages show as your "Default" page when you first log into your Portal account. In order for these changes to take place:
Why didn’t my customization changes save? It is imperative to click the Save Page Settings on the left hand navigation bar after you have completed personalizing the My Workspace and My Work content areas. Roles are a set of permissions which are granted to AF Portal users based upon a need to know basis – roles allow AF Portal users to see content they need to do their job. Who do I contact to add roles I need? You will need to contact the appropriate Content Manager. The latest listing of content managers can be found on the Library Tab, About the AF Portal, and then click the AF Portal Content Managers List. If you don’t know the MAJCOM or functional content manager for the content you seek, please contact the af.portal@pentagon.af.mil team for assistance. Roles allowing access to systems are distributed by the individual application managers. Contact information for mission applications owners is being integrated into the Applications A-Z listing on the right hand navigation of the AF Portal. Why can’t I access the dropdown menus in “My Profile/Personal Details?” These fields represent the information that you entered when you first registered for your AF Portal account. In order for this to be changed, you must first contact your Content Manager and request to have this deleted or updated from your account. Content Managers are the responsible POCs for ensuring this data is accurate. The list of Content Managers and contact information can be accessed from the Library Tab under the AF Portal Documentation section for users who have logged into the system. Once these roles have been removed, these fields will be available for you to make changes if, and when, you please. If you still need assistance, please contact the helpdesk. You can email the Field Assistance Branch (FAB) at AFPortal.Helpdesk@Gunter.af.mil or by calling DSN 596-5771 (Country Code 312) or Comm. 334 416-5771 option 7. Ask your supervisor or deployment manager. Not all users are assigned to an AEF. What if I don’t find my MAJCOM/FOA/DRU or Base/Location? Content Structures are constantly being loaded to include all MAJCOM/FOA/DRU or Base/Locations. Content Managers are the responsible POCs for ensuring this data is accurate. I changed my name, how do I update my username? There are two answers to this question. If you have not heavily personalized your “My Workspace”, you can change it by deleting your account and then re-registering. To delete your account, you will need to call the FAB. If you have heavily personalized your “My Workspace”, you may want to leave your username alone for the time being. There are upcoming plans to allow users to change their names via an Identity Management tool. Stay tuned for details. PORTAL HELPDESKWhere can I find AF Portal Tutorials and Training Materials? The tutorial is on the upper right side of the AFP. We list all Portal Documentation on the Library Tab under the AF Portal Documentation block. Who is my Content Manager? To view the complete list of MAJCOM Content Managers, select the Library Tab, About the Air Force Portal, and select the link for AF Portal Content Managers List. How do I contact the Help Desk? If you have account maintenance issues (forgotten username and passwords) please utilize the tool called Reset Your Password on the right side of the AF Portal log in page (https://www.my.af.mil). These tools provide you a fast response for common issues. If you need to contact the helpdesk, you can email the Field Assistance Branch (FAB) at AFPortal.Helpdesk@Gunter.af.mil or by calling DSN 596-5771 option 7 or Comm. 334 416-5771 option 7. How long does it take the Help Desk to answer calls and return emails? Factors include time of day, call volume, and the type of questions being answered. We recommend looking over the FAQs and/or trying the Reset Your Password tool available on the Log – In page. |