Unit leaders who understand and implement training doctrine are better prepared to fight – and win.
Army Doctrine is the Army’s unique body of professional knowledge. It is authoritative in nature but requires leaders to apply judgment in its application. The ability to judiciously apply doctrine based on the requirements of a given situation necessitates an understanding of the applicable doctrine.
In October 2023, the Training Management Directorate (TMD), as the Army’s proponent for training management, unveiled a new page on the Army Training Network (ATN). The Interactive Training Doctrine page provides a resource for Soldiers and leaders at all levels to gain a better understanding of training doctrine embodied in Field Manual 7-0, Training.
TMD Director Col. Fred Snyder said the page helps to “bridge the gap between doctrine and reality” in the practical application of doctrine. The page explains and clarifies the concepts established in FM 7-0, provides links to additional resources, and invites feedback to TMD through a purpose-built channel on MS Teams.
The publication of FM 7-0 in 2021, represented changes in Army training doctrine from previous editions. These changes included the Army Training Management Cycle replacing the Operations and Planning Processes as the framework for training management. In an effort to enhance the Army’s ability to learn and understand training doctrine, TMD chose to leverage the online tIechnology of ATN to provide a deeper treatment of the doctrine’s intent.
The Interactive Training Doctrine Home page contains a downloadable version of FM 7-0 with the intent to add Army Doctrinal Publication 7-0 after its approval later this year. Bill Brosnan, primary author for both ADP 7-0 and FM 7-0 said this is an important feature.
“Leaders must read the doctrine,” Brosnan said. “The page is meant to enhance the doctrine and understanding, not replace it.”
The home page has links to ask questions of the Training Doctrine Team through MS Teams and training doctrine podcasts with subject matter experts that provide additional context and meaning to the publication.
Training management videos on FM 7-0, company training meetings, and Unit Training Management provide visual learning opportunities. A link to the Platoon Leader’s Guide to Training Management assists junior leaders with effective training management techniques and procedures.
There are numerous benefits to the Interactive Training Doctrine page. It provides a centralized location to find Army training doctrine. As users navigate through the tabs at the top of the Home page, they are taken on a journey through the Training Management Cycle and critical concepts that support the doctrine. Clicking each tab provides access to discussions from subject matter experts.
The page includes links to additional resources such as topical articles, excerpts from other publications, guides, and examples of how to develop products essential to training management. Podcasts available on the home page are also available on the subject matter tabs. Leaders can review the discussion or listen to the podcasts at work or on their personal mobile device.
The additional resources area on each tab provides details on how to accomplish the components of the Training Management Cycle. Understanding the Training Management Cycle allows leaders to better understand the full development of what to train, how to train, and evaluate and assess unit training effectiveness. With this understanding, leaders can develop and publish approved training guidance which provides predictability for subordinates and enables leaders to protect training.
Snyder’s vision for the page is that it remains current, expands, and matures over time. The feedback mechanism through MS Teams found on every tab of the page is a critical component to realizing that vision. Through the MS Teams link users can ask questions from Army training doctrine subject matter experts and provide recommendations on the page itself, or on future Army training doctrine. Leaders can share best practices and examples of products developed as they learn and conduct training management within their own units. In addition, TMD continues to develop and add products to keep the page useful and meaningful to leaders conducting training management. TMD has already received suggestions from users for adding content to the Interactive Training Doctrine page, such as a Time Management tab.
Army units train all the time, whether it is at home station, the combat training centers, or while deployed. Understanding training doctrine facilitates leaders’ ability to apply the Training Management Cycle to successfully train their units to standard and achieve the desired proficiencies. The Interactive Training Doctrine page is a valuable resource to assist leaders in the understanding and implementation of training doctrine, so their unit is better prepared to fight – and win.
For more information visit the Army Training Network.
Social Sharing