Soldiers in America’s Army Reserve have a new tool to more effectively communicate with each other and broaden their ability to lead.

According to Lt. Gen. Charles D. Luckey, chief of Army Reserve and commanding general, U.S. Army Reserve Command, the Double Eagle App, available for iOS and Android devices, will help Soldiers communicate, stay physically fit, and provide a variety of tools for leaders to manage Soldiers — right from the convenience of their smartphones.

“This application is your link to all the cool stuff in the Army Reserve,” Luckey said. “Number one, command information … [it’s] about making sure that key stuff that’s going on is explained.”

The official mobile interface is part of an on-going initiative by Luckey to keep Army Reserve Soldiers capable, combat-ready and lethal.

In order to use the app, a user must verify their account with a valid .mil email account. Friends and family members will be granted access to their accounts via a built-in sponsor protocol.

One of the many items of interest to members of the Army Reserve community is the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) and the ability of Army Reserve Soldiers to prepare for the paradigm shift of how physical fitness is measured. The app provides Soldiers with information they need to conduct preparatory workouts and prepare for the test when they don’t have equipment or a gym to use.

“[The App] links into the Field Manual, put out by Training and Doctrine Command, that tells you specifically what exercises you can do to emulate the tasks you’re going to need to be able to do,” Luckey said. “You can train yourself to pass the ACFT without having to use any of the equipment.”

The app also uses location functions to allow Soldiers to find relevant information, such as nearby support services.   

As explained in the app privacy policy, found on the U.S. Army Reserve Double Eagle App web page, location services are voluntary and users can opt-in or opt-out at any time. Furthermore, locations are not saved or tracked; locations are generalized in order to ensure the safety and security of users.

Leaders will be able to maintain a digital Leader Book to keep track of pertinent information, such as medical readiness, the last time a Soldier has been counseled, or when they need their next evaluation.

“The rules of the road for the DE App are in the app Privacy Policy and Code of Conduct,” said Maj. Sean D. Delpech, project manager for the app. “Transmitting or sharing any kind of operational security or personally identifiable information is strictly prohibited.

“The app also has firewalls to protect against outside interference, such as hacking and internal abuse by users, including .mil verification, monitoring, and user reporting,” Delpech said.

The Double Eagle App is an on-going project and periodic updates will improve current features and add new capabilities to meet the intent of the Army Reserve. A built-in feedback tool allows users to offer recommendations and identify issues.

The Double Eagle App is available now in the Apple App Store and Google Play, as well as via the TRADOC App Gateway. Find out more about the Double Eagle App on the U.S. Army Reserve website at www.usar.army.mil.