ARCNet available to all AFRC units Published Dec. 23, 2009 By Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Any Reservist who has been in for a while would know that getting up to speed with tasks such as on the job training, computer-based training, planning, physicals, commander's calls, briefings, and readiness, just to name a few could be pretty tough to fit in a two-day period. Thanks to the Air Reserve Component Network, formerly known as ReserveNet, many of these programs are now accessible through this site. ARCNet is a portal exclusive to Reserve and Air Guard units and their members, said Lt. Col. Patrick Kearney, the 446th Airlift Wing process manager here. The vision is to have one site where Reservists can interact from home with their unit on training, scheduling and several other functions. Many other Air Reserve Component networks and programs are linked, with ARCNet as a hub, to reduce discrepancies and duplication of effort. "ARCNet is a Web-based, one stop site for duty planning, scheduling and tracking, readiness training, budget management, and self-inspection training," said Lt. Col. Bruce Winhold, process manager with the 927th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. "It also has email features to alert duty approvers and orders processors to take action and is accessible with a home computer and a CAC (common access card) reader." Colonel Winhold noted that ARCNet also reduces order processing time. ARCNet reduces the manual workload of a completed paper orders request and routes it for approval, said Colonel Winhold. Approvals and orders processing are faster since its virtual and reporting tools are robust for management, eliminating manually created reports. New users should log into ARCNet via the Air Force Portal and answer the member profile questions to establish an account, said Colonel Winhold. ARCNet is accessible from home or on-base, since the Portal is now available from commercial internet service providers. Since Reserve personnel spend a large portion of their month away from their operational military environment, it is essential that they have a need to coordinate their duty schedules from home or on-base. ARCNet requires no special plug-ins can be accessed with any internet browser. According to Colonel Kearney, ARCNet has tools that can assist new users. "On the ARCNet site, there are guides like tutorials, videos, and downloadable PDF (Portable Document Format) files to help new users through the process," said Colonel Kearney. Colonel Kearney says the Air Guard has implemented ARCNet as well. "The Air Force Reserve Command made ARCNet a joint program because the Guard liked it so much and wanted to adopt it," said Colonel Kearney. ARCNet was referred to as ReserveNet until September, said Colonel Winhold. When the Air Guard started to use it, AFRC changed the name. The Guard liked the benefits of its many capabilities, like the Management Internal Control Tool set link for better tracking of self-inspections. Colonel Winhold emphasizes that AFRC units can utilize ARCNet now. "All AFRC units are set up for it and can use it immediately," said Colonel Winhold. In addition to the success of the SharePoint program, over time, ARCNet will become the "one-stop-shop" for information sharing and program access for AFRC members from home, said Colonel Kearney.