Training Fact Sheet: Army Training Network, bringing value to the Soldier

Training Fact Sheet: Army Training Network, bringing value to the Soldier

U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, plot a point on a map for a land navigation event as part of the Expert Infantryman Badge, Expert Soldier Badge and Expert Field Medical Badge training at Campomulo Asiago, Vicenza, Italy, Oct 26, 2022. Candidates will demonstrate their individual proficiency in navigation from one point to another, while dismounted without the aid of electronic navigation devices. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of projecting ready forces anywhere in the U.S. European, Africa or Central Commands' areas of responsibility. (U.S. Army photo by Paolo Bovo)

The skills and proficiencies Soldiers train are the foundation to unit-level collective training. Proficient Soldiers enable their units to execute more complex collective tasks. – FM 7-0

Soldiers are the foundation of the US Army. Well-informed and well-trained Soldiers are essential to unit readiness and accomplishing assigned missions. The Army Training Network (ATN) is the Army’s secure, web-based portal providing access to training and education resources to meet individual Soldier needs. It assists Soldiers in understanding themselves, preparing for required individual and collective tasks, and providing tools to improve themselves and their performance.

Understand Yourself

A Soldier’s Individual Training Record (ITR) is the repository for the training accomplished throughout their career. Today, Soldiers can access their ITR through the Digital Job Book (DJB) hosted on ATN. They can log into their DJB at anytime and anywhere they have an internet connection; either through a CAC enabled computer, or on a personal mobile device using a username and password.

The DJB contains Soldiers’ latest physical fitness scores, weapons qualification records, unit training schedules (if the unit posts them through the Digital Training Management System (DTMS)), Army Warrior Task (AWT) status, and Individual Critical Task List (ICTL) for the Soldier’s military occupation specialty. If a Soldier is preparing for one of the Army’s three Expert Badges, the DJB also shows the required tasks to train, when the Soldier trained them, and if the Soldier passed the training. In addition, the Soldier can view other tasks their unit leadership has assigned them, including mandatory training.

For airborne Soldiers, the DJB includes a jump record tab that logs of all their past jumps. Unit leaders routinely update a Soldier’s ITR following training events through the Small Unit Leader Tool or DTMS. Easy access to the ITR allows Soldiers to understand themselves by checking their records for currency and accuracy, reviewing accomplishments, identifying upcoming requirements, and determining areas for improvement.

Preparing for Training

One of the principles of training in Field Manual 7-0 is ‘train to standard using appropriate doctrine.’ Army approved doctrinal products such as Soldier Training Publication 21-1-SMCT, Soldier’s Manual of Common Tasks, Training and Evaluation Outlines (T&EO), and weapon system publications, establish the standards that all Soldier must meet. ATN supports a Soldier’s ability to access doctrinal products and enables them to study, understand, and prepare for training. The more a Soldier knows and understands the performance steps and measures prior to training, the more efficiently they can grasp and execute the task.

Training schedules posted in the company area or the DJB specify training tasks. Knowing the tasks to train, Soldiers can search ATN for proponent approved T&EOs. The DJB provides links to AWT, ICTL, and expert badge tasks to find individual tasks. Soldiers can search for collective tasks using the T&EO Task Search or the Platoon Tasks/T&EO’s button on the ATN home page. The Platoon search function links directly to the Soldier’s unit of assignment to present relevant options for the Soldier to view, download, or print.

As another option, ATN provides access to the Central Army Registry (CAR). The CAR is searchable and contains field manuals, training support packages, individual and collective tasks, and drills. Reviewing task requirements prior to training, enhances a Soldier’s ability to understand and execute the task successfully.

Improve Yourself

ATN can assist Soldiers in the desire for improvement, through pages such as the US Army Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) Physical Readiness Training (PRT) page, the Expert Badges page, and access to Operational Environment (OE) Games on the Operational Environment (OE)/OPFOR Training-TRADOC G2 page.

On the H2F PRT page, Soldiers can download and review reference publications to learn more about the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). There are also links to individual tasks that provide information on conditioning drills and exercises to help Soldiers prepare for the ACFT. Many of the individual tasks provide links to YouTube videos where individuals can watch how to perform the drills and exercises.

The Expert Badges page is for Soldiers who desire to demonstrate mastery within their chosen profession. The badges include the Expert Infantryman Badge, Expert Soldier Badge, and Expert Field Medical Badge. From this page, Soldiers can explore the history of each badge, eligibility requirements, and the tasks and standards to achieve the badge. There are also links to each badge website where Soldiers can learn more.

The OE Games site provides access to interactive applications to assist with training. These games include Observed Fire Trainer, Land Navigation, and Equipment Identification. Each application provides an opportunity to practice skills learned during training in preparation for future training exercises.

Conclusion

The Army Training Network is an excellent resource for the entire Army. The pages and products provide information for individual and collective training. ATN provides value to the individual Soldier by providing access to training records, doctrinal products to prepare for training, and tools and information that enable Soldiers to improve themselves.

For more information visit the Army Training Network.