Updated: December 2025
⚠️ NOTE
AOK’s DM feature allows all members in the AOK app to send messages within the command. This does not change permissions needed to perform other actions, to learn more about permissions click here.
To learn more, view our FAQ about direct messages.
Sending a Direct Message
Navigate to the Messages tab within the Navigation Menu in the top left corner.
Click on the Message Icon in the bottom right corner.
Tap Direct Message.
Choose who you want to send your message to.
Pick one or more recipients. Teams cannot receive direct messages.
Fill out your direct message.
Add your message, a subject (optional), choose urgency level, and/or add an attachment.
Then Send your direct message or schedule a send out time.
Where Your DMs Appear
Direct Messages appear in two places: Inbox and Sent.
Inbox Includes:
All Direct Messages you receive
Any replies you receive
Sent Includes:
All Direct Messages you send (until someone replies)
Any replies you send
Each Direct Message conversation appears as a single thread in both Inbox and Sent.
Reading & Managing DMs
Unread messages and replies appear in bold.
Once replies begin, “Re:” is automatically added to the subject.
You can archive any Direct Message from your Inbox.
Replying to Direct Messages
You can reply to:
Any DM you receive
Any DM you originally sent (similar to email)
Important notes about replies:
Replies go to everyone included in the original message (You can’t add or remove recipients in a reply.)
Replies can be scheduled
Draft replies save automatically and appear in your Drafts tab labeled “Draft Reply.”
Forwarding DMs
You can forward:
Individual Direct Messages
Individual replies
You cannot forward:
Entire message threads
Additional rules:
Forwarded messages do not create threads
You cannot reply to a forwarded message (but you can submit a response if applicable)
Delivery Statuses
Leaders can view delivery statuses for any DM or reply
Regular users can view delivery statuses only for messages they authored
Deleting Messages
You cannot:
Unsend a Direct Message
Delete a Direct Message for everyone
Delete your replies
Using DMs as an SMS User
If you are not an app user, you will receive a text message containing a secure link to view the message on a browser instead of being redirected to the app.
In the browser, you can:
Read Direct Messages
Open the message multiple times (until the link expires)
In the browser, you cannot:
Reply to Direct Messages
View full threads
Use threading features
A notice will remind you to use the app if you need these features.
Permissions Overview
Permissions Overview
What all users can do:
Send Direct Messages to individuals in the same command
Attach files
Set urgency levels and subjects
Schedule Direct Messages
Forward individual messages
Reply to Direct Messages
Archive Inbox messages
View delivery statuses for messages they wrote
What no one can do:
Send Direct Messages to teams
Add or remove recipients in replies
Forward entire threads
Reply to forwarded messages (only submit responses if applicable)
Archive messages in the Sent tab
View or edit threads in the browser
Reply to any message except the latest one in a thread
FAQ
FAQ
Question: With the roll out of messaging, what permissions are associated with messaging and posting?
Answer: DM's work like email. Any AOK member with the app can direct message another member of their command directly or in a small group (similar to an email with multiple recipients).
Those with the app can respond, those without cannot send a DM and can only read DM's sent to them via the secure link they receive through text message.
Bulletin board posting permissions have not changed. Only those with Org level or Team level permissions can post to bulletin boards or message a team.