Military Training: Actions Needed to Assess Workforce Requirements and Appropriate Mix of Army Training Personnel

On April 9, 2015, the Director of U.S. Army Manpower Analysis Agency(USAMAA) signed a memorandum validating the model for determining manpower requirements for instructors. The model is a multilayered constructive equation that uses structured manning decision review input, updated programs of instruction (POIs), and validated indirect workload to identify the overall instructor requirements for all of TRADOC's Centers of Excellence. Application of the model--Instructor Requirements Model(IRM)--has been conditionally approved for the next three years. Once all of the new POIs have been used in the model and application results reviewed by USAMAA, USAMMA will issue a new memo unconditionally validating the model for use in determining instructor manpower requirements for an additional three years. This action meets the intent of our recommendation to update the model for instructors. In March 2012, HQDA approved the training model for Ammunition Delivery and Recovery and according to officials the results were reflected in FY 2014 manning documents. This model will directly support field training using a mixture o full-service and self-service methods to deliver training ammunitions to the user. According to officials, a stand alone staffing model for classroom setup is not required, because this function is captured by the IRM. This action meets the intent of the recommendation. In a separate modeling study of the Training Developments (TD) function, data collection has been completed and Product Action Times (PATs) calculated. Model development is nearing completion. TRADOC G-8 is projecting submission to USAMAA in 4th Qtr FY 2015. This recommendation will remain open until this action is implemented.

According to TRADOC documentation, in June 2015, Headquarters Department of the Army approved the TRADOC Instructor Requirements Model to determine manpower requirements for program of instruction training at TRADOC Centers of Excellence schools. The approval of this model increases precision and transparency of POI based instructors functions and identifies the unique training requirements associated with individual courses. The model will be re-applied every year during the Structure Manning Decision review and POM process. The model is to be implemented over time with yearly updates on implementation progress to G3/FMP until fully implemented. These actions address the our recommendation that TRADOC ensure it is requesting the appropriate number and mix of personnel to serve as instructors. We previously closed the other part of the recommendation related to training developers and training support personnel.

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command created a task force focused on making fewer doctrine publications that would be shorter, more collaborative and more accessible. Besides dramatically changing the doctrinal structure itself, the resulting Doctrine 2015 program leverages emerging technology to accelerate and modernize the entire doctrine development and delivery processes. The Doctrine 2015 strategy calls for the doctrine development process to be faster, and the body of doctrine to include manuals that are fewer, shorter, clearer, and more accessible to the force. Doctrine 2015 separates doctrine into four major categories: Principles, Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures, with each category having its own manual, or part of a manual. In this hierarchy, the top manuals drive those below them. For conflicts, the higher level manual is authoritative. These manuals go from high level Army Doctrine Publications (ADP) down to detailed Army Techniques Publications (ATP). Breaking the body of doctrine into separate manuals facilitates updating information more rapidly with the lower levels changing the fastest. According to TRADOC officials, TRADOC has further improved the accessibility of doctrine information by initiating a program to make doctrine publications available in an electronic format that facilitates reading on all types of mobile devices. In addition to the doctrinal manuals, supporting Interactive Multimedia Instruction and electronic storybooks are being developed, as well as apps, for access to doctrine through multiple platforms from virtually anywhere in the world. Work continues on the web-based guide for doctrine and related information. The Doctrine 2015 transition timeline is: 31 August 2012: Army Doctrine Publications / Army Doctrine Reference Publications complete. 30 June 2014: 43 of 50 Doctrine 2015 Field Manuals now complete. 31 December 2015: All remaining knowledge transitioned to Army Techniques Publications with a draft version of each on a milwiki site. These actions meet the intent of our recommendation and we are closing this recommendation as implemented.