Accessing ARNet from any computer

If you are in the Army Reserves, you probably know the pain of completing military tasks on a civilian computer. There are several Army sites and applications that only function on an Army network, and you probably don't have access to that at home. Well, the Army Reserve has a workaround that they don't advertise. You can access ARNet from any computer that you can install Citrix Receiver on.

This is important because it is a pain to get your ARNet account reactivated. Plus, if the Army needs you to complete a document at home, this greatly expands your abilities.

Requirements

• An ARNet Account, which you can request here. You need to be on an Army Reserve network to request this. Talk to your S6/Commo person for help.
• Windows 10 — This is just easier than using Linux or MacOS because of how your CAC interacts with the applications.
• Citrix Workspace app — This is what will connect to ARNet. Support for this app is located on Citrix's website.

For Army Reservists Who Are Deployed/Mobilized

There's a strong chance you can still install an older version of Citrix Workspace called Citrix Receiver on your NIPR computer and keep your ARNet account active.

1. Navigate to the Start Menu on your NIPR computer
2. Type "Software Center" and select the app
3. Select the "Applications" tab on the left
4. Click on the "Citrix Receiver" icon and click "Install"

This will install Citrix Receiver on your computer and allow you to proceed with the instructions below.

Logging into ARNet Remotely

1. Ensure Citrix Workspace/Receiver is installed
2. Open your web browser and navigate to: https://rasxtra.usar.army.mil/
3. Select your "Authentication Certificate" and enter your PIN when prompted
4. If successful, you'll see a USARC Alert message — click "Accept"
5. You will see a Citrix Receiver screen — click "Detect Receiver"
6. You'll see a message stating "This site is trying to open Citrix Receiver" — check the box that says "Always allow" and click "Open"
7. If nothing happens, select "Already installed"
8. Select the appropriate certificate from your CAC (note: not the EMAIL one)
9. The next screen should be the US Army Reserve Remote Access Portal — select "AR Desktop"
10. Select the appropriate certificate from your CAC again (note: not the EMAIL one)
11. Enter your PIN and click "Log On"
12. A file will download — open it
13. Citrix will launch — follow the authentication requests and enter your PIN as needed
14. Click "OK" to proceed to the next logon screen
15. Log onto the virtual machine just like any other Army computer
16. A virtual ARNet desktop will load and you can do all your Army work remotely — Hooah!

Worth noting: this system is finicky and will occasionally be down.

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Hat tip to an unknown Sergeant from a random exercise who sent me down this path, and to Military CAC for additional guidance.