army knowledge online cac card question?

Question

what the heck is this crap about having to have a cac card reader in order to log on to ako now? my password expires in 9 days, and i dont want to have to buy that crap. is there any way around this, and can someone please explain to me what the heck is going on at ako? thanks a lot.

Answer 1

The only ones this won't be affecting is dependents or sponsored accounts. Obviously, they don't have access to CAC. However, if you're active duty, you'll be limited as to what you can do. If you're at home, you'll only be able to access your e-mail and do basic operations. Without a CAC, you can't change your password or any other operations like that. My hubby's password was expiring too and he had to take care of it at work. I always checked his e-mail at home because he's usually too busy. The good news is, if you can call it that is that the CAC reader is supposedly only about $30. It's supposed to come with everything you need to install it at home. Everyone I know thinks this CAC stuff is crazy. It's really limiting what you can and can't do. It also adds some sort of security to some e-mails and without it, you can't open them. Took me forever to find a program to break the code for that.

P.S. There's a link on AKO where you can ask for a password extension. The directions should be in the e-mail that you received to tell you the password was expiring. I believe it gives you an additional 10 days. They had to do something because there's so many troops in Iraq and such that can't change their password or that don't have easy access to CAC. Many puters over there don't have the CAC yet. So, try the extension if need be.

Answer 2

I believe S-1 or S-3 can help with this....if not, then go to the ID Office and let them know you need to register your CAC. They will know what you are referring to on this and can assist you. It only takes about 10 minutes to do and then you are set for about a year, I believe. You will have to be in the System under CAC in order to approve anyone wanting to have an AKO Account now. You know, like your Spouse or some other FM.
This is being done for Security Reasons, and must be done, thanks to those who want to abuse the Privilege of having an AKO Account..

Answer 3

All you need to do is to log in with your CAC every 150 days to change your password. That's it. Just goto your post education center, to their computer lab and a CAC-enabled terminal, and do it there. It's as simple as that.

If you don't want to bother with that, you simply create a temporary password every 3 days by logging in the usual way. CAC readers aren't all that hard to get and they're not that pricey. Just read the AKO CAC FAQ. It's there to be read and it'll answer most if not all of your questions.

Answer 4

gotta have that CAC pin and a card reader. i hated that crap too. the network is getting locked down. the web login for off post computers is going away too.