Posted on Apr 4, 2023
Is there anyway to aid in National Guard Soldiers being able to access .Mil sites from home?
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I researched and found that USAR at least had something in the past, that used Citrix to allow Remote Access to ARNet. Does the national guard have something similar, if not, why? If so, I'm all ears.
I have been trying to get Soldiers to collaborate on upcoming Missions (on a pay status, of course) from home, utilizing sites provided by the Military, but none will work. The only thing that does work is Shared sites like Google Drive. Which for OPSEC purposes shouldn't be used.
Has anyone else tried to do something similar?
I see this as a growing problem, as little by little we as NG Soldiers are losing our ability to access critical information while not in front of the one computer that we have at the Armory, which may or may not be working.
I have been trying to get Soldiers to collaborate on upcoming Missions (on a pay status, of course) from home, utilizing sites provided by the Military, but none will work. The only thing that does work is Shared sites like Google Drive. Which for OPSEC purposes shouldn't be used.
Has anyone else tried to do something similar?
I see this as a growing problem, as little by little we as NG Soldiers are losing our ability to access critical information while not in front of the one computer that we have at the Armory, which may or may not be working.
Information Technology
NGB
Internet
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
For the National Guard the answer is ... Maybe.
Why? It depends on your state and each may be different. In some states they have a CITRIX setup like the USAR, some do VPNs into RCAS, others even still do dial-up access!!
These days almost all home access falls into the category of "turn you computer into a remote monitor for a server that is on the .mil network" so there isn't any security issues of software incompatibility, malware, etc.
Suggest you contact your J6 section in state - they would have the best answer.
FYI: I did a quick search for New Jersey and came across an old article from your DMA (Department of Military Affairs): "THE INFORMATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISION IS ESTABLISHING A VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK (VPN) CONNECTION TO THE RESERVE COMPONENT AUTOMATION SYSTEM (RCAS) NETWORK. The VPN will allow another path to the RCAS network resources through an individual's private Internet service provider (ISP). This connection will provide fast access to RCAS to authorized personnel who have an ISP and home computer. Currently, the only method of remote access is through a dial-up modem connection on an official computer. When the VPN is in place, it will provide better service to RCAS network users and reduced cost to the Army National Guard. "
Why? It depends on your state and each may be different. In some states they have a CITRIX setup like the USAR, some do VPNs into RCAS, others even still do dial-up access!!
These days almost all home access falls into the category of "turn you computer into a remote monitor for a server that is on the .mil network" so there isn't any security issues of software incompatibility, malware, etc.
Suggest you contact your J6 section in state - they would have the best answer.
FYI: I did a quick search for New Jersey and came across an old article from your DMA (Department of Military Affairs): "THE INFORMATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISION IS ESTABLISHING A VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK (VPN) CONNECTION TO THE RESERVE COMPONENT AUTOMATION SYSTEM (RCAS) NETWORK. The VPN will allow another path to the RCAS network resources through an individual's private Internet service provider (ISP). This connection will provide fast access to RCAS to authorized personnel who have an ISP and home computer. Currently, the only method of remote access is through a dial-up modem connection on an official computer. When the VPN is in place, it will provide better service to RCAS network users and reduced cost to the Army National Guard. "
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CW3 (Join to see)
Sir, I believe that is the route that is rumored we could be going down; when however, is unknown. The idea is that we would utilize our own personal computers, using Citrix based applications in order to tunnel into the network. The VPN is in use, however, perhaps that is just for DMAVA and the state network, as our VPN requires that the user be on a Government Issued, Military Domain, Computer in order to VPN into the network.
I would love to allow people to be able to Citrix in, as we barely have had enough computers to give to those who are full time. I appreciate your feedback Sir, definitely many ways to skin this cat, I commend those still using Dial-up Access.
I would love to allow people to be able to Citrix in, as we barely have had enough computers to give to those who are full time. I appreciate your feedback Sir, definitely many ways to skin this cat, I commend those still using Dial-up Access.
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There is currently a pilot going on of Azure Virtual Desktop. It's a Microsoft licensed remote desktop, hosted inside the .mil domain, behind the Army firewalls. Once registered, you can access thus from any device, via a local client or a web client, provided only having a CAC reader.
I urge everyone in the Guard to register for this. Register through MS Teams. It's advertised on the Army Hub.
I urge everyone in the Guard to register for this. Register through MS Teams. It's advertised on the Army Hub.
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CW3 (Join to see)
That is great news, I did stumble across this at one point, I attempted to access but it stated I wasn't authorized to do so. I will have to look more into this, perhaps this is what I was referring to in my other comments. Thank you for the info 1SG.
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I would imagine based on need and authorization, a PC/laptop could be issued to you with a VPN client. The Air Force was using AnyConnect while I was working with them during COVID, which allows you to connect to a Virtual system, but I do not know if they or the NG use that now. Those are really the two best ways to do it somewhat securely.
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CW3 (Join to see)
Sir, I concur, its the lack of availability to give out computers, especially for a one or two day use, as we barely have enough for full timers to utilize. The company for example has 1 maybe two desktops, usually not in working condition. That is just my immediate area, I know many other locations are in similar situations as well.
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Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
I understand, sympathize, been there, done that (even in Active Duty). Here's the thing, if they expect you to be productive and you require access to ARNET (or the DISN in general), your leadership needs to facilitate those needs. If they can't, it would be good to make sure it is mentioned in every readiness / unit compliance inspection, and to explain why things cannot be done. As a former Communications Officer, it seems to me that there are very simple ways to provide the access you need, the challenge is making sure you have the hands on comm personnel to maintain the systems (updates, security, etc). I would imagine many of the smaller NG units don't always have the personnel they need though. The Air Force Recruiting Service used a hub and spoke comm support where the hands-on person essentially did most of their work from the hub but could travel if needed for touch maintenance. There are security reasons behind why these systems simply can't be issued and left to the users. However, most of these can become moot if the NG modernizes their infrastructure to enable solid VPN/Virtual environments, updating the systems remotely, and having a good asset management program to easily replace/swap out those the user is having trouble with.
I could go on, but it really doesn't help you. Sounds like the NG needs to do better in getting more capability to all NG users. I facilitated solid access for ~2200 worldwide mobile Air Force Recruiters, I think the NG should be able to do the same.
I could go on, but it really doesn't help you. Sounds like the NG needs to do better in getting more capability to all NG users. I facilitated solid access for ~2200 worldwide mobile Air Force Recruiters, I think the NG should be able to do the same.
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CSM William Everroad
CW3 (Join to see) - Talk to your DIV S6, most of the time units cannot get "more" laptops because they have too many. The sticking point is I guarantee there is a closet at BN or BDE with laptops that need to be re-imaged or are too old to take the new image. These count against the allocation. Units can't get more to issue until those are turned in.
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