I distinctly remember Grandpa telling me, “Boy, if you don’t learn something new each day, it was a wasted day.”
How right my Grandpa was…may he rest in peace.
We must always learn, and whether you are in the Army, the Army National Guard or Reserves, or even on IRR, the Army now has a great system to learn new, or even upgrade what you already have learned.
In today’s post, we will look at the Army Learning Management System and 23 cool facts about it.
1: The World Wide Web
No matter the environment: office, home or even deployed overseas, as long as the soldier has a computer and web access, he/she can take self-paced courses to further their career.
2: Test Before Training
A great feature of the ALMS is the ability to test before actually using a training program. What I mean is: if an NCO, training manager or any other person wants to set up a training course, they can use a Content Test Environment (CTE) before actually making the course live.
3: Functions
Several functions operate with ALMS. They are:
Student management
Faculty support
Resource management
The delivery of content
The ability for collaboration
The development of both courses and content
4: Components Of ALCMC
ALCMC stands for Army Learning Content Management Capability. ALCMC has 3 components. They are:
ALMS (Army Learning Management System)
ELLC (Enterprise Lifelong Learning Centers)
JKO LMS (Joint Knowledge Online Learning Management System)
5: ELLC
Enterprise Lifelong Learning Centers are a wonderful attribute to this system. It allows collaboration between instructors-students and students-students, no matter the location of each individual. The ELLC uses a blackboard system, in which students can learn over long periods of time.
6: JKO LMS
Our military has moved into joint operations, and often personnel from one branch may need to learn items from another branch. Joint Knowledge Online Learning Management System makes this possible.
7: Migration
While it hasn’t completely happened yet, in 2010, TRADOC was told to migrate all schools and training to the ALMS system. In time, personnel will be able to do their courses almost completely online.
Available Courses In ALMS
The next lists are courses that are available. They are each set up by their school code.
8: 031
Decontamination course M32
Smoke course M34
9: 052
Basic combat engineering refresher course M11
Advanced combat engineering refresher course D11
Combat engineer support course D57
Engineer construction course D55
Combat engineer course M21
Bridge crewman course M21
Basic general engineering refresher course M35
General engineering diver course M38
Carpentry and masonry specialist course M40
Plumbing specialist course M44
Surveyor course M56
RC WOAC construction engineering technician W32
RC WOAC engineer equipment repair technician W34
Geospatial engineering refresher course W38
10: 091
Electronic technology course LD19
Computer detection systems repair course LM05
Radar repair course LM38
Explosive ordnance disposal course LM40
Diagnostic equipment support specialist basic refresher course LM88
11: 101
Petroleum supply specialist course M05 & M50
Water treatment specialist course M24
Food service specialist course M33 & M34
Food service officer course Q17
12: 113
Signal captains career training D12
Cable systems installer M01
Multi channel transmission systems operator course M07
Signal support system specialist course M18
Antenna installer course Q13
13: 171
Advanced M1A1 tank gunnery and maintenance M19
14: 191
Security procedures course F01
15: 301
Basic intelligence analyst course D15
Basic electronic integrator course M23
16: 514
Basic Special Band NCO Professional Development Course M09
Senior Special Band NCO Professional Development Course M13
17: 551
Trans Logistics Common Core 1 D01
Trans Logistics Common Core 2 D02
Trans Logistics Common Core 3 D03
18: 805
Assistant Chaplain Initial Sustainment Course DM31
19: 887
Human factors engineering course G13
20: 907
Hazardous materials handling course D17
Defense distribution management course D23
Support operations course F30
21: ACE
Some of the above courses do receive ACE credits. These include many of the 052, 091, 101 and more.
22: Enrollment Process
Enrolling in courses is actually quite simple. For full courses, you need to know the course number and then go to this link and enter the course number and click register. For self development courses, just log on to ALMS and search and register.
23: An Added Advantage
The old system required soldiers to print and report course completions. This left room for errors, and many complained about not being recognized for courses they completed. With ALMS, the system reports course completion for you. It is still wise to follow up and make sure, but overall, this is a much better system.
Final Thoughts
What are your experiences with ALMS thus far? I must admit that I truly wish this system was in place when I served.
Please give us your opinions, comments and questions below. Thank you.
Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
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