FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (May 6, 2015) – Soldiers can now use smart phones and computer tablets to access the Army’s primary website for training information.
Previously, they needed a computer with a Common Access Card, or CAC, to find resources on the Army Training Network, or ATN. The Army recently began allowing users to access ATN with a username and password.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno directed the implementation of username/password access to the Army’s single point of entry for all things training – the Army Training Network – to ensure widest access to authoritative training information.
“This is a big step forward for the Army. As we create more apps and websites for training and training management, we must include the Soldier and unit-level training managers at the operational point of need,” said Col. Thomas J. Trossen, director of the Training Management Directorate, or TMD. TMD is leading the change at ATN.
All users of ATN with a CAC have the option from the ATN landing page to sign up for a username and password through the Defense Manpower Data Center. With their username and password, they can log on to ATN with any device that has an Internet connection.
Charlie Ostrand, technical branch chief for the Army Training Management System, said that users originally needed a CAC card for security reasons even though the information on ATN is unclassified.
Nevertheless, TMD teams needed to make some changes to ATN. They segregated information that is For Official Use Only, or FOUO, which is only available to CAC card users, Ostrand said.
“Some 93 percent of the information on ATN will be accessible with an Internet connection, username and password,” he said. “Units in the field can have online access, and commanders will not have to carry stacks of training documents.”
ATN provides access to a number of training resources such as Unit Training Management, NCO Corner, Combined Arms Training Strategies, the Digital Training Management System (CAC users only) and leader development materials.
In addition, the site has links to videos to help with conducting training meetings, event rehearsals, after-action reviews and other topics. ATN’s search feature allows commanders to find the information they need to develop versatile units and innovative leaders.
TMD is a subordinate organization of the Combined Arms Center-Training. CAC-T manages Army training support and training development programs.