FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Just as optempo (operations tempo) is changing across the military, so is the way individual units train service-wide.
Department of Defense established mobile training teams, which visited various posts, with Fort Bragg being its most recent stop. The MTTs were designed to train training managers and trainers throughout the Army on how to plan, prepare, execute and access training.
During the past 11 years of war, training within commands was primarily directed from a top down leadership approach.
“Most recently, we have had to push training down to units to get them ready for deployments,” said Lt. Col. Damon Pfaltzgraff, chief of doctrine, Training Management Directorate, Combined Arms Center-Training. “Now that we are emphasizing home-station training, we must train units on how to implement.”
The training, designed in a train-the-trainer concept, showed leaders how to develop a training plan, manage unit training, resource and fund planned training, as well as the importance of the Army training doctrine and all of the developed tools and resources.
Throughout the training, the MTT discussed all of the tools available to aide units with successful implementation of training management. Those tools include, the doctrine (ADP 7-0 and ADRP 7-0), the Army Training Network online (ATN), Digital Training Management System (DTMS) and Combined Arms Training Strategy (CATS).
Pfaltzgraff said the training doctrine provides the framework and thought process for military leaders when developing their individual unit training plans.
One of the key benefits of the established training management tools is their ability to assist units in identifying resources available to train the force effectively.
“They are there to emphasize and leverage the virtual, constructive and gaming tools or environments to achieve the training objectives,” said Pfaltzgraff.
Fort Bragg provides a myriad of resources capable to assist units in their training needs, especially in the coming years.
Staff Sgt. Sean Cross, DTMS master trainer, XVIII Airborne Corps says that we, as soldiers and leaders are learning to do more with less given the fiscal restraints placed on the military.
Army training is now being emphasized as a commander-centric program and should be carried out as such.
The MTTs and this effort, directed by the Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno, are critical as the Army puts training back in the hands of its commanders, said Pfaltzgraff.
“Training management is not easy,” said Harold Summerfeldt, CATS program manager, Training Management Directorate, Combined Arms Center-Training. “The key to success is in the commander-to-commander dialogue and their individual understanding of the tools created to help them be successful.”
While the MTTs were only at Fort Bragg for a short time, they have assured they are here to assist the “Home of the Airborne” and all of its units as they request.
For more information on training management and the resources created, visit https://atn.army.mil.