Project Arc

Project Arc was an opportunity for me to break out of my silo and learn about the jobs of other career fields and units. It gave me a chance to bring my IT and programming skill set to several other units and make their lives easier. During the cohort, I met amazing people all with the intent to change the status quo and improve things in their units. This was amazing for me because my own unit is always trying to improve things but getting stopped by bureaucracy and antiquated rules. Seeing so many units actively engaged in improving themselves was a breath of fresh air. I highly recommend giving the program a try! It’s a lot of work, trying at times, but the impact by the end is undeniable.

While the scale of each technician’s impacts can vary widely, I think it is clear that Project Arc has led to a significant improvement in our ability to develop rapid, low-cost, in-house solutions to a wide variety of problems.

It was a great opportunity to connect with extremely talented individuals from various career fields and personal skill sets. Arc provided a unique chance to network with like-minded individuals, not only at our assigned base but across the force, fostering the exchange of ideas for positive change. During my cohort, I realized that simply being part of Arc helped remove barriers that might have existed outside the program. Overall, I enjoyed collaborating with my cohort members, learning about their projects, and working on initiatives I’m passionate about.

Project Arc gave me a chance to develop my own technical skills in an immersive environment, while simultaneously applying my studies to actual Air Force problems. I walk away from the program with a network of skilled technical experts in every field, that I won’t hesitate to reach out to in the future!

I most enjoyed the opportunity to use my tradecraft every day. Although I’m an ‘engineer’ in the Air Force, I rarely get to engage in actual engineering work. This program was highly valuable. My biggest impact was significantly reducing the time required for the Airfield Survey enterprise within the Air Force.

I enjoyed the freedom to explore new skills, and I believe the value of the program lies in the network you build. The innovative mentality to break down barriers is strengthened. My operational impact included streamlining administrative processes to enable a program to focus on operational development, a mission planning tool, and a space launch awareness tool.

The flexibility to apply my natural skillsets to directly impact the base’s mission, along with opportunities for networking and technical development, were the most rewarding aspects.

Project Arc was instrumental in enhancing my operational skills and confidence. I particularly enjoyed the practical approach and real-world applications emphasized throughout the program. The program’s structure provided immense value, equipping me with tools and strategies that directly improved my efficiency and impact within my role.

During my experience with Project Arc, I saw myself grow exponentially in electronic design and implementation, data analytics, 3D printing, network troubleshooting, project management, BLOS/LOS communication systems, and most importantly….confidence to speak up.

Through Project ARC, I gained firsthand experience in the operational environment and witnessed how seemingly simple solutions can create meaningful impacts for the warfighter. The technical expertise and passion for innovation that Project ARC brings to units across the Air Force act as a force multiplier—one that should continue to expand across the Department of Defense.

Project Arc is advancing the ability to deliver technological solutions to operational units when they need it. Based on our current construct by embedding technicians across the DAF, we are also enabling cross pollination across different organizations, bringing unique perspectives and skillsets which then further produce solutions to problems the units didn’t think they had.

My favorite part of Project Arc was the opportunity to help so many people. I was deeply invested in each individual’s challenges, often choosing to work weekends and holidays to provide support. It was incredibly rewarding to assist Airmen with outstanding ideas—especially those who might have been overlooked or lacked the technical expertise to bring their visions to life. This was the most fulfilling job I’ve ever had, bringing me immense peace and gratitude. I’d wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone with a ‘MacGyver’ mindset.

Project Arc is the driving force behind the future of true innovation in the Air Force. As each Project Arc cohort deploys out across the force, we build a deeper network of trust and innovation that crosses all organizational boundaries. I truly believe that this network, built from technically minded Airmen & Guardians, will play an important role in shaping the way we address challenges in future conflict.