Does the military rely too heavily on Computer Based Training?

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 15:22:15 -0400

I feel like they are trying to make EVERYTHING into a CBT. There is something to be said for actual training, conducted by actual people.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2015 3:24 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 15:24:30 -0400

I understand the perks to cost effectiveness and flexibility that come from CBTs, but I would learn a lot more (especially in the case of SABC's online portion) if it were done in a hands on format. Unfortunately, time constraints don't allow for that either.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2015 3:25 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 15:25:17 -0400

You're going to need to clarify what a CBT is. Are you talking about all of the web based training?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2015 4:15 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 16:15:41 -0400

I honestly think they get it totally backwards most of the time. Much of the computer based training should be actual face to face training but many of the actual classes we a forced to sit through could easily be handled via CBT or email. Case in point: I am PCSing this summer. I had to attend our base's "PCS and Moving Workshop" yesterday. I sat there for 3.5 hours and the only pertinent information I got was the estimated timeline for shipping my vehicle and my household goods back to the mainland and a list of websites for calculating DLA, per diem, travel pay, etc. Every bit of information that was given out in that class could have been sent out via a 5 page attachment to an email and then I could have actual clickable links to the websites they recommended instead of having to write them down.

Response by SrA David Steyer made Dec 4 at 2015 10:48 PM

SrA David Steyer — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 22:48:44 -0500

I had to do the Information Assurance/Cyber Awareness one TWICE in one year. Understandable if you got your computer access revoked or something but no I didn't get in trouble.

I had to do it for access to this system, ESSENCE which is a DOD medical system used to track illnesses and sickness, and because the AF requires it annually like all of the branches. I did the CBT when I was supposed to meet the Air Force requirement which was once a year, but the program lets me know I am due for the training. Well I emailed the administrators the training certificate and all and NOPE, I had to do the training again. It wasn't hard but took a lot of wasted time. Some of these systems need to speak to each other better or we need to have as much as possible a one size fits all approach. I've seen it where there is miscommunication on what training to do - like this DADT, or religion (forgot) we were told to do the supervisor training but not the regular training then it switched to do both. Yes, the brand new E2 down the hall had to do the supervisor one along with the other one. That and the slides that track the trainings say it is called "XYZ", then when you get to the site the training is on and do "XYZ" on, well it was the wrong training and you need to do "DEF" instead.

My biggest beef though is with the DOD's infatuation with Swankhealth.

It seems not all bases use it but my first and second base used it and some never used it until they PCS'ed. But now it looks like just about all branches and bases are doing it. So I don't know. This is only limited to medical people. Now, there is value in using it because it can provide continuing education for those that need it to maintain their licenses - doctors, nurses, medics etc but I have been told the continuing education quality is at a fifth grade level.

I guess to get more value for the dollar a lot of training are on the site that shouldn't be on there such as AFMS Mission Statement, NOTAM briefings, Facility Specific briefings, etc are on there and now it is an extra requirement and has to be tracked. But there already is a system! For the USAF it is called ADLS and there is JKO for joint/all of the branches courses where training can be hosted on. All of the training on Swank Health that are required are just powerpoints or PDF slides, and at the end you get one question of "Did you review the slides?" but you'll get some with a few (easy) questions but that's few far and in between though. Not hard and at first glance doesn't look too long to do but I have had 20+ in one year I had to do and it added up. For everyone else in the clinic that doesn't need continuing education to maintain a license, to use this site it's just queep. I know I have said the same thing multiple times but I really want to drive the point home. Almost all of these training's are commanders call material or stuff that doesn't apply and is not needed and an example is below. Just pass a sheet around and whoever wasn't present can get back briefed. Like everyone else, I don't want to sit in commander’s call for longer than needed, but if the training is required to be done because there is value and a legit reason behind it, fine whatever. If it is something silly, then it is a waste.

Some are not needed, like the Gun Control Act of 1968. How does that deal with medical? I asked someone in training WHY we do this training, and I was told it was an AF requirement. Really? It's not part of the annual training you have to do. If it is so important, why not just have it on ADLS with the annual training we all have to do? Moreover, if someone gets in trouble and/or violates this act while they are in, they won't be too long for the AF in 2015. If they violate it before they join, well I'm getting ahead of myself because they wouldn't be able to and I don't think they could join any branch unless WW3 hit off. It wasn't done at my first base and there was a hell of a lot of crime out of the gates.

There were one or two added for specific sections that have nothing to do with my job. They aren't hard but just another silly metric to be added.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Dec 4 at 2015 10:49 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 22:49:42 -0500

Gotta do the CBT on how to do the CBT!

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Dec 12 at 2015 7:07 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 19:07:00 -0500

As a Reservist, I have to meet the same qualifications as the active members of my unit. Every year, I spend the first two weeks of my military duty doing CBT's. Every year, same CBT's, over and over. Nearly all of them have nothing to do with my actual mission and it seems like such a waste of time. I understand the reason for the CBT's (to save money) and the specific training requirements, but there has to be a better way.

Response by PO1 Jack Howell made Oct 16 at 2016 9:54 PM

PO1 Jack Howell — Sun, 16 Oct 2016 21:54:19 -0400

Absolutely. New sailors that are reporting to their first command don't have the required baseline knowledge. They arrive knowing almost nothing.