Recognizing how important email is to the troops, especially those stationed in distant and isolated areas, the U.S. Air Force has gone into the email business. The GI Mail program is sponsored and maintained by the Air Force and that comes with the assurance that the air force will make all possible efforts to insure that email to and from air force personnel will get delivered. Registration for GI Mail is free for active duty, Reserve, National Guard, retired or Civil Service employees and their authorized family members. 

The Air Force Crossroads Web site is at www.afcrossroads.com. Members can log into the web based system from any computer with Internet access. Since GI Mail  runs on a Department of Defense network, it is more secure (from hackers and system breakdowns) than commercial systems. There is no spam or advertising involved with the GI Mail site, which also offers forums and online chat rooms. Families that don't have computers can go to air force Family Support Centers and use computers available there just for that purpose. Staff are also available to show how to use email.