Army Training Modernization

The Army Training Modernization program is a comprehensive initiative under the Department of Defense's Other Procurement, Army appropriation, focused on upgrading and sustaining the Army's distributed learning infrastructure. The primary goal is to deliver high-quality, standardized training to Active Duty, Army Reserve, Army National Guard, and Department of the Army Civilians through advanced digital platforms. By leveraging industry standards and ensuring compatibility with the Joint Technical Architecture (JTA) and Defense Information Infrastructure Common Operating Environment (DII COE), the program aims to maximize cost-effectiveness and interoperability across military services and with commercial and state resources.

The program consists of three interrelated efforts: the Army National Guard Distributed Learning Program, Other Training Modernization, and the Distributed Learning System for acquiring Digital Training Facilities. These efforts collectively support the rapid delivery of instruction, reduce the backlog of Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) training, and increase overall readiness by enabling soldiers to spend more time in operational units rather than in traditional training settings. The modernization of training infrastructure is justified by the need to maintain up-to-date technology, comply with cybersecurity standards, and support both routine and emergency operations, including homeland defense missions and military support to civil authorities.

The Army National Guard Distributed Learning Program provides online training capabilities in communities nationwide, supporting the readiness of soldiers and units. The program funds hundreds of distributed learning classrooms, which are essential for delivering professional military education, functional training, and mobilization resources. Technical refresh activities include replacing outdated student and instructor workstations, audio/video equipment, printers, and network connectivity to ensure compliance with current cybersecurity requirements. This refresh is critical for maintaining the effectiveness and reliability of the distributed learning infrastructure.

The Distributed Learning System is responsible for providing the infrastructure that allows soldiers to train at or near their assigned stations, reducing the need for travel to resident Army schools. The system supports hundreds of Digital Training Facilities, Mobile Digital Training Facilities, Deployed Digital Training Campuses, and the Army Learning Management System. Annual technology refresh covers a portion of the IT infrastructure each year to prevent obsolescence and ensure continued supportability of the enterprise. The technology refresh is based on market research and system performance requirements, ensuring the system remains current and effective.

DLS delivers several key capabilities using Commercial-Off-The-Shelf solutions, such as electronic classrooms for multimedia courseware, mobile facilities that bring training directly to soldiers, centralized management through the Enterprise Management Center, and web-based training products for business, IT, and foreign language skills. These capabilities support both individual and collective task training, enhance training effectiveness and efficiency, and improve readiness for all Army components. The system also supports the Army's Training Mission Area, focusing on technical and tactical proficiency, MOS skill development, leadership training, and lifelong learning.

The Army Training Modernization program is managed by key stakeholders, including the Army Capability Manager under the Combined Arms Center - Training, Program Executive Officer - Enterprise Information Systems, and the Army General Staff. Contractors such as CACI Enterprise Solutions, IBM Corporation, Leidos, and various vendors are involved in the technical refresh and implementation of these systems, ensuring timely delivery and compliance with specifications. The program's procurement and refresh cycles are planned to extend the service life of the infrastructure and avoid disruptions to Army training operations.