Staff Sgt. Phoenix Benadom, a squad leader assigned 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division assesses his squad as a U.S. Army CH-70 Chinook takes off on May 24, 2022, at Fort Carson, Colorado during the Best Squad Competition. This competition allows Soldiers to build cohesion amongst each other and learn how to depend on their leaders and their teammates. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tyler Brock)
The Army continues to place emphasis on self-development as a key component in the personal and professional growth of Soldiers and leaders at all echelons. The institutional and operational domains provide structured courses and planned individual and collective training to develop skills and prepare units for employment. Self-development complements the institutional and operational domains by expanding the breadth and depth of an individual’s knowledge and self-awareness in line with their personal goals. Conducting self-development requires ready access to products that assist individuals in meeting their goals. While most may think of the Army Training Network (ATN) as a resource hub for leaders developing others through training, ATN also provides resources for Soldiers and leaders to develop themselves, both within and beyond the realm of training management.
Training Management Self-Development
The Training Management Directorate (TMD) offers plenty of opportunities for leaders to learn about training management in more traditional learning settings. Unit Training Management Mobile Training Teams (UTM MTT) provide three- to four-day seminars to brigade and below organizations to enhance their understanding of training management doctrine and train them on the processes for developing long-range training plans. Virtual and in-person instruction is available for Digital Training Management System (DTMS) Operators and Managers to develop the skills required to input and operate the system in support of training management requirements. Instructional slides from the UTM MTT and the DTMS courses are readily available on ATN for individuals to use and enhance their personal understanding and skills.
ATN also provides resources for self-paced learning and development. The Unit Training Management page has tutorial videos for all functions of the Army Training Management System (ATMS), including the METL Viewer, Platoon Task Viewer, and Schedule Task Wizard. The DTMS Knowledge Base offers a quick reference guide and a variety of self-paced video and slide tutorials allowing individuals to gain understanding and enhance their individual skills. Additionally, ATN hosts a variety of training management products for the operational force that are typically found in more institutional settings; these products include lesson plans, slide decks, exercises, and other learning content used in schools and centers of excellence. Examples of lesson plans targeting training management include the Tactical Commanders and Command Sergeants Major Development Courses, the Basic Officer Leader Course, the Captains Career Course, and the Company Commander and First Sergeants course. Training management videos include “How-Tos” for conducting Company Training Meetings, After-Action Reviews, and Training Rehearsals.
Additional Self-Development Resources
In addition to training management self-development resources, ATN hosts or provides links to a range of other resources Soldiers and leaders can use to enhance their personal knowledge or to build guided self-development plans for subordinates. The “T&EO Task Search” and “PLT Tasks/T&EO’s” tabs enable individuals to search and download training and evaluation outlines for collective and individual tasks. Individuals can study and prepare for upcoming training events or prepare themselves to provide instruction for others. In addition, the E3B Training Resources page provides links to resources for individuals to prepare for the Expert Infantry, Expert Field Medical, and Expert Soldier Badges.
For those looking to develop general leadership skills, ATN provides links to a variety of self-development and leadership resources, available by clicking the “More…” link under “Leader Development Resources” on ATN’s home page. The resources include links to the Project Athena Self-Development Tool and the Army Leaders Course.
Under “Specific Training Resources” on ATN’s home page is a link to the Combat Training Centers (CTCs). The CTC Resources page provides links to and content from the National Training Center and Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC). The National Training Center page has lessons and best practices intended to assist individuals and leaders in their personal development and to better prepare their units for combat operations. The JRTC page contains a series of videos to provide leaders and units “a way” to conduct planning, rehearsals, and meetings that are essential to the conduct of operations.
Engaging in self-development throughout one’s career is a hallmark of successful leadership. ATN serves as both a resource and repository for individuals looking to strengthen themselves – and, by extension, the Army.
Social Media Resources for Self-DevelopmentArmy Leader Exchange on Facebook and Twitter
Center for Lessons Learned (CALL) on Facebook and Twitter
Center for Army Profession and Leadership (CAPL) on Facebook and Twitter
CAPL Developing Leaders Community of Practice on Facebook
Combined Arms Center – Training (CAC-T) on Facebook and Twitter
The Company Leader on Facebook and Twitter
Medical Service Corps Leader Development on Facebook
Training Management Directorate (TMD) on Facebook and Twitter
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