Does the USO or the military have a service allowing soldiers access to downloadable movies or TV shows to take with them overseas?

SGT Robert Pennington — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 19:03:34 -0400

I'm going to deploy in the next near future, and am wondering if (or why not) the USO or any part of the military has a service that allows soldiers access to downloadable movies or tv shows to take with them overseas? I know there probably isn't a source like that, but maybe that is something the USO could or should look into.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 17 at 2018 7:22 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 19:22:24 -0400

You will have internet at the large COBs.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 7:33 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 19:33:00 -0400

A service such as you're asking about is not likely to happen due to licensing requirements/restrictions. Also, due to cultural sensitivities, some of what we deem acceptable, some of the host nations do not. And without a formal SOFA in place, it could lead to legal issues.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 8:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 20:14:02 -0400

Last time I deployed (07), we had a large network share drive that was accessible to anyone with an account on base. (Al Asad). It had thousands of movies and TV shows loaded up and we would take our external drives and leave them downloading overnight (probably a big OPSEC no no these days).....

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 10:15 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 22:15:01 -0400

How would such a thing be any different then illegal download sites like the (now defunct) limewire?
I use a large capacity external drive to port my media for annual training. But that requires a computer with proper ports to plug into.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 11:36 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 23:36:58 -0400

MoraleNet is awesome!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2018 10:25 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 10:25:58 -0400

Depending on where you go, you should have access to internet so you can use things like Amazon Prime or Netflex to download movies at the USO. Sometimes you'll need to buy internet. Also, I have heard people just sell hard drives filled with movies they downloaded as they redeploy.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2018 7:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 19:50:05 -0500

2010 we just swapped movies onto our external memories. However, thats pirating, and not only frownd upon but expressly illegal.
You may have internet where you end up, but be prepared for restrictions and limits on channels and shows you can watch.
I advise you to load up now... or, use this opportunity to instead of watching shows take college classes, and listen to free audiobooks on the app Overdrive. It requires you get a library card...but those are free for military.

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Sep 6 at 2019 10:03 AM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 10:03:00 -0400

Usually most locations have some sort to MWR driven repository of TV shows and Movies but I obviously can't speak to every location. At Shindand AB, Afghanistan, I worked with the Top-3 leadership and got funding to order and install a large hard drive, which we shared on a stand alone network in the MWR tent. It was shared over both a wifi access point and/or through a wired connection to the router. Those who live near the MWR tent (close to the wifi signal) were able to access the repository from the comfort of their own tent. For content, I had volunteers upload their content to the file server. In order to get new content, let's just say folks had their ways, and we were able to get copies of the latest popular TV shows 1-2 days after they were released. My only warning to you to to make sure you update your anti-virus software/signatures and scan the files before using them. Even then you can still be vulnerable to malware.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Sep 25 at 2019 3:47 PM

SFC Michael D. — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 15:47:51 -0400

Sounds like a job for MWR.