Initial Military Training

Initial Military Training

What is it'

In order to maintain senior-level oversight of training related issues, the Army's Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) has established a separate, stand-alone Initial Military Training (IMT) organization. The TRADOC deputy commanding general-IMT is responsible for developing agile warriors in support of ARFORGEN and ensuring the force gets the right Soldier and leader, at the right time, in the right places, with the right competencies.

What has the Army done'

The Army has re-tasked the U.S. Army Accessions Command to relocate from Fort Monroe to Fort Knox, merge with Human Resources Command, and form the new Human Resources Center of Excellence. In order to retain a 3-star focus on Initial Military Training, the Army has split the IMT responsibility from Army Accessions Command to form a new TRADOC deputy commanding general. This organization has the sole mission of creating an IMT enterprise that assesses training and ensures compliance, standardization, rigor and innovation of relevant training as a TRADOC priority mission.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future'

To support this initiative, TRADOC has reorganized all eighteen of the Army's IMT training brigades to be under the purview of the DCG-IMT. In addition, two Army Reserve Training Commands - the 80th and 108th division - have been placed under the Operational Control of the TRADOC DCG-IMT. Within the next year, the Basic Combat Training Center of Excellence (BCT-CoE, Fort Jackson) and the Directorate of Basic Combat Training will be realigned under the DCG-IMT. These organizations include the Army Drill Sergeant School, the Army AIT Platoon Sergeant School, the Army Physical Fitness proponency, and the Army Prep School. The TRADOC DCG-IMT will be charged with the mission to ensure training evolves to meet the changing demands and developing tactics from an asymmetric and hybrid threat.

Why is this important to the Army'

All newly commissioned officers and new recruits receive initial military training, transforming them from a civilian volunteer to skilled Soldiers and leaders. The initial military training - conducted at dozens of sites across the Army -provides the basic knowledge, skills and behaviors individuals need to become Soldiers, succeed as members of Army units, contribute to mission accomplishment and survive and win on the battlefield. In support of this outcome, the Army employs an extensive training infrastructure in the institutional Army that is designed to prepare its Soldiers and leaders for the challenges of the full-spectrum military environment. IMT includes Basic Combat Training (BCT), Advanced Individual Training (AIT), One Station Unit Training (OSUT), and the Basic Officer Leaders Courses (BOLC). IMT motivates Soldiers to become dedicated and productive and qualifies them in warrior tasks and knowledge and the training conducted during this period of time instills an appreciation for the Army's place in a democratic society, inspires the warrior ethos and introduces the Army values.

Resources:

<a href="http://www.tradoc.army.mil/about.htm" target="_blank"> TRADOC </a>

<a href="http://www.army.mil/-slideshows/2009/09/23/27749-initial-military-training-deputy-commander-visits-fort-eustis/" target="_blank"> Related Slideshow </a>