The top-level domain (TLD) “.ARMY” is an Internet domain that functions as a virtual hub for individuals associated with the army industry. It can be used by military entities, recruitment services, army shops, or anyone with an interest in the army, as a source of information, resource aggregation or as a personal interest forum.
Every website on the internet has a domain name that serves as an address, which is used to access the website. This domain name can either be a generic domain (gTLD), like “.com” or “.org”, or a top-level domain like “.army”. The domain extension “.army” is part of a program started by Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to expand the internet’s domain name system (DNS).
The “.ARMY” TLD, as per ICANN, is managed by a company called Donuts Inc. Donuts Inc. currently operates the largest number and variety of new domains. They are recognized by ICANN as one of their official domain registrars. The registrar’s site notes that any individual, group, or organization can register a .ARMY domain.
The .ARMY network can serve as a hub for army enthusiasts, veterans, and potential recruits to share, converse, or even sell army-related content or goods. For instance, a military store can register www.militaryequipment.army, offering an immediate glimpse to visitors as to what they can expect from the site.
For example, www.army-shop.army is a domain based in Slovenia that sells various army merchandise. Likewise, www.british-army.army is a domain that host information regarding the British Army.
In regards to security, as with any other gTLD, a .ARMY domain must comply with the domain security measures outlined by ICANN. Webpages with this domain also adhere to the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols to protect user privacy.
However, using a specific TLD such as .ARMY doesn’t guarantee that the information displayed on the website is always accurate or safe. It’s always recommended for users to perform due diligence when interacting with sites, particularly those asking for personal information.
In a nutshell, the .ARMY TLD is a domain that provides a distinctive web address for those interested or involved in the army field, offering a digital platform for them to interact with the broader army community or to simply express their personal affinity with the army.
Sources:
1. ICANN – “These Global Public Interest Commitments”. URL: https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/gpic-2013-05-03-en
2. Donuts Inc. URL: https://donuts.domains/
3. Register.army. URL: http://www.register.army/
4. Netregistry. “What is a top-level domain (TLD)?”. URL: https://www.netregistry.com.au/domain-names/what-is-a-top-level-domain-tld/
5. “Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC)”. ICANN. URL: https://www.icann.org/groups/ssac.
6. Army Shop Slovenia. URL: https://www.army-shop.army/
7. British Army domain. URL: www.british-army.army.