When soldiers were first deployed to Iraq in 2003, they stood in line and made timed phone calls using calling cards.  To use a computer, they waited in a similarly long line to get on the Internet to send an e-mail.  Thanks to advances in technology, those days are long gone.

Although in many secure areas methods of communication are limited to Army Knowledge Online, or AKO, and satellite phones, some troops have discovered Skype to bridge the gap between their loved ones and themselves during deployments.

An eBay company, Skype is a free software program that allows users to make free computer-to-computer phone calls, video calls, instant messages, and conference calls.  Through the program, users also can call landlines and cell phones for a minimal fee.

To download the software, visit the Web site at www.skype.com.  The download and registration process takes about 15 minutes.  To make free telephone calls, both users must download the software.

Accessories including corded phones, WiFi phones, videophones, microphone speakers, headsets, and Webcams are available for purchase on the Web site.

Veteran Tabitha Johnson started using the program a few months ago to communicate with her friends who deployed to Iraq.

"Technology gets better all the time," Johnson said. "With the time change between here and Iraq, this program makes it a lot easier to communicate.  People call me every day all day long using Skype.  They just can call from their computers, and they don't have to use any telephone lines."

A growing number of troops have turned to the program to communicate during deployments, because it's a cheap and safe mode of communication.

Johnson found Skype to be a welcome change from the high telephone bills she had when she communicated with military members deployed during Operation Desert Storm.

"I had thirty-minute, $200 phone calls on my phone bill," she said. "I couldn't do that very often. Skype is completely free if you call computer-to-computer.  And there's no lag during the calls."

Organizations are getting on board using the program to help service members stay connected.  This holiday season the USO is joining forces with Skype to help military members and their families stay close. Through the initiative, service members visiting any of the Asia-Pacific USO Centers can make free voice and video calls.

"Skype is the best little known secret out there," Johnson said. "It really is great and so easy to use."