How an AI-powered dashboard transforms military readiness

How an AI-Powered Dashboard is Revolutionizing Air Force Reserve Deployment Readiness

When a Guard or Reserve unit is called up for deployment, even minor administrative oversights—like outdated dental exams—can derail the entire process. The military’s reliance on outdated personnel management systems, often cobbled together with disparate spreadsheets, has made it difficult to identify and address these issues in a timely manner. This inefficiency can quickly escalate into a logistical nightmare, jeopardizing mission readiness.

Enter John New and Tim Wood, two military veterans who saw an opportunity to solve this problem with cutting-edge technology. Together, they co-founded WerkMerk, a company dedicated to streamlining personnel management through artificial intelligence. Their flagship product, AFLINX, is an AI-powered system designed to identify compliance issues and notify service members well in advance of their activation or deployment. After a successful trial run with the Air Force Reserve, New and Wood are optimistic about expanding AFLINX to other branches of the military.

The Birth of AFLINX: A Frustrated Airman’s Idea

The inspiration for AFLINX came from Master Sgt. Taylor Trani, a medical and dental administrator with the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing. Trani, frustrated by the inefficiencies in personnel management, shared her concerns with Wood and New. “She was sick and tired of the problem,” said Wood, a Navy SEAL veteran with 22 years of service. “And we just ran with it.”

Independent research conducted by WerkMerk confirmed the extent of the problem. During a deep dive with the Air Force Reserve’s 932nd Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, New and Wood discovered that the unit deployment manager spent 30 hours preparing for a single drill weekend. Meanwhile, the medical and dental team dedicated two full weeks to reviewing records and verifying appointments, only to face a 30% no-show rate due to poor communication and lack of visibility.

How AFLINX Works

To address these challenges, WerkMerk launched a pilot test of AFLINX. The system aggregates medical and dental data for an entire unit, analyzes it, and automatically generates calendar invites for service members. These notifications, sent directly to their smartphones, prompt them to schedule necessary appointments. Importantly, AFLINX ensures privacy by sending generic messages that do not include sensitive medical or personal information.

According to Wood, the system’s impact was immediate and significant. “It was the equivalent of having one extra body in that department,” he said. AFLINX saved the 932nd Airlift Wing approximately 1,000 hours annually by automating scheduling and ensuring compliance. This efficiency boost allowed the unit to focus on other critical tasks, enhancing overall readiness.

Support from AFWERX and Beyond

AFWERX, the Air Force’s innovation arm, recognized the potential of AFLINX early on. Since 2020, WerkMerk has received five contracts worth a total of $3.9 million, including a tactical funding increase in August 2023 to transition AFLINX from prototype to a fully deployable product. AFWERX spokesman Matthew Clouse highlighted the system’s potential to enhance planning, administration, and communication processes within the Air Force Reserve.

While AFLINX is still in its prototype stage, Airmen are actively providing feedback to ensure the final product meets operational needs. The system has already garnered interest from several Air Force Reserve components, including the 22nd, 10th, and 4th Air Forces, as well as the Air Force Reserve Command. “We’ve had nothing but praise,” said Wood. “The only questions are, ‘When will it be ready?’ and ‘How much will it cost?’”

The Cost of Efficiency

According to New, the cost of implementing AFLINX is approximately $100,000 per unit of 1,200 to 1,400 troops. While this may seem steep, the time and resources saved by the system make it a worthwhile investment. For units struggling with personnel management inefficiencies, AFLINX offers a scalable solution that could revolutionize readiness across the military.

Expanding to Other Branches

Although WerkMerk has focused primarily on the Air Force Reserve, the challenges AFLINX addresses are not unique to this branch. Col. Brian Pate, G-3 operations officer for Marine Corps Cyberspace Command, confirmed that Reserve personnel management is a widespread issue. “They may not be near a military medical treatment facility,” Pate explained. “So, when they’re coming in, it may be that they have a very short window of time to execute a medical appointment or to hit the readiness requirement.”

Pate emphasized the importance of detailed planning to ensure reservists can meet their obligations. “Having a management tool, I think, would help with that,” he said. AFLINX could potentially fill this gap, providing a much-needed solution for other branches of the military.

Key Features of AFLINX

• Automated data analysis to identify compliance issues.
• Smartphone notifications for scheduling appointments.
• Privacy safeguards to protect sensitive information.
• Time savings of up to 1,000 hours annually per unit.
• Scalable implementation at a cost of $100,000 per unit.

The Road Ahead

While AFLINX may not have the flashiness of hypersonic missiles or other high-tech military innovations, its potential to improve efficiency and readiness is undeniable. As Wood put it, “It’s not hitting targets over the horizon with a hypersonic missile. That’s why it’s kind of a slow burn on people talking about it.” However, the system’s warm reception among Air Force Reserve components suggests that its impact could be far-reaching.

As WerkMerk continues to refine AFLINX and explore opportunities to expand its use, the company is poised to transform how the military manages its most valuable resource: its people. With the support of AFWERX and positive feedback from early adopters, AFLINX is well on its way to becoming an indispensable tool for military readiness.