How to Access Military Email from Anywhere: Easy Outlook Setup

A quick guide to setting up your US Army email address in Outlook

Last Updated: April 19, 2024 Fact Checked

Do you need to check your .mil email from home? Now that US military branches have migrated to Outlook 365, it's easier than ever to access your military email using your web browser. Before you can access your Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force, or other military branch email account, you'll need to install the DoD root certificates on your computer and insert your Common Access Card (CAC) into your card reader. The steps to access your email vary depending on your branch and status—you may need to access a VPN to sign in. This wikiHow article will teach you how to install DoD root certificates for Windows and macOS, and how to log in to your military email account using Outlook on the web.

Using an Army Email

Install the necessary DoD root certificates on your Windows or Mac laptop to check your US military email account. Then, insert your Common Access Card (CAC) into the card reader. Most military users can visit https://web.mail.mil/owa to sign into their Outlook account. Select Authentication to add your username and PIN.

Section 1 of 2:

Install the DoD Root Certificates

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Windows. Before you can access your military email, you'll need to make sure you have the correct certificates installed on your computer. You can do this easily with a graphical program called InstallRoot. ^{[1]
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- Go to https://public.cyber.mil/pki-pke/end-users/getting-started/#toggle-id-1 in a web browser.
- If you don't have administrator rights on the Windows PC, you'll need to install the non-administrator version of InstallRoot. Click the Non Administrator link on the website to download it.
- If you do have administrator rights, you'll need to download a different installer. Press Windows key + S , type msinfo32 , and then press Enter . Next to system type, you'll see either "x64-based PC" or "x86-based PC."
- If you see x64-based PC, click the 64-bit link on the website to download InstallRoot.
- Once installed, click Run InstallRoot and click Yes if existing certificates are found. ^{[2]
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- Click Next on the "Installing DoD certificates is easy" windows.
- Select Install DoD Certificates and click the Install Certificates icon.
- Click Yes on the security warning, and then click OK once the certificates are installed.
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Mac. You'll need to download the DoD certificate bundle and add it to Keychain before you can access your military email. ^{[3]
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Research source} Make sure you're using macOS Catalina or later, as Catalina includes everything you'll need to use your CAC reader with your Mac.
- Go to https://nps.edu/web/technology/dod-certificates and click Install DOD Certificates for Mac .
- Click the DoD RootCerts file link to download the certificates.
- Unzip the file once the download is complete.
- Open the Keychain Access app on your Mac.
- Click login in the left panel.
- Drag each of the certificates from the unzipped folder into the main area of Keychain Access.
- Click Add on each certificate.
- Once installed, double-click DoD Root CA3 , and select Trust . From the "When using this certificate" drop-down menu, select Always Trust .
- Double-click DoD Root CA4 , and select Trust . From the "When using this certificate" drop-down menu, select Always Trust . ^{[4]
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