Posted on Mar 13, 2014

Is distance learning realistic for National Guard, and Reserve Soldiers?

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After nearly an eight year break in service I decided to once again serve my country and I joined the Army National Guard. While it has been a great experience thus far I find myself and peers to be quite frustrated with ALMS/AKO/ATTRS. I am not saying that National Guard/Reserve Soldiers should not be held to the same standards as our fulltime brothers and sisters. To the contrary, I think that we have an obligation to chase knowledge and be ready to step into an active role at a moment’s notice. My issue is that the programs mentioned above are poorly written and the help desk is often unable to assist with issues that arise. Guard/Reserve Soldiers are not sitting in a computer lab on an active duty post with staff at our beckon call to assist with system errors, programs freezing up, etc. Also, I feel all of these programs could be one system, making navigation and assistance a lot simpler. If I’m way off base or am missing a critical piece of information please educate me.

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Edited >1 y ago

Posted >1 y ago

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Responses: 9

2LT (Join to see)

Posted 8 y ago

It is a burden, yes. Often times it can be difficult to get what you need because of what you said, support is sometimes hard to get on technical issues. I remember about a year ago during finals week in college with CPT (Join to see), staying up for hours as he completed online courses.
That being said I think they should remain for the guard/reserve. While it may be difficult at home, we still have other duties we must do outside of drill, such as PT. It is just a unique challenge of ours.

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CPT (Join to see)

8 y

Oh the agony. And SSD2 while deployed was even more of a hassle. I had to stay up until midnight to talk to help desk. DL is pain

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SSgt (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

I feel that the required courses ARE an extra burden on guard soldiers, as they have to be completed on personal time, as it interferes with actual training if it has to be done on a drill weekend. It's a 35 minute drive for me to get to the nearest "distance learning center." And I live closer than almost anybody else. Besides that fact that the armory is ope 8 to 4 mon-fri, while soldiers are working. So I took the effort to get my personal computer set up, and got SSD1 done, and have knocked out all the other random courses as I get assigned them. It's just part of being Guard, and getting the job done with less!

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SSG (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

I've run into issues trying to run SSD and enterprise from my personal computers. I ended up finding some online help after navigating through the endless labyrinth of self help links. I took my older laptop and downgraded IE, Java, and Adobe and had to make some adjustments in my browser settings, but it all works now.

If you happen to have two systems, bring up the help page on the more up to date one and make the adjustments on the more obsolete one. I tried calling the help line once and the person on the other end sounded like they were at a call center in some ramshackle single-wide in West Virginia. They were no help at all.

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COL Vincent Stoneking

11 y

Configuring your computer "just right" is definitely the hardest part. I used to have a virtual machine running Windows on my Mac, but it became too hard to remember what parameters to set for what. I now have a separate windows machine configured for the most common parameters of the various programs and websites I need to use. I think it's running IE 9 and an old version of Java. That said, I still find myself needing to toggle compatability mode on for one website and off for the next. My most recent discovery was that I could only sign evals in the new EES if I launched IE "as administrator" !! (It has been a few months, I sincerely hope that one has been fixed. Lots of people only have access to computers where they are not admin level users.)

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MSG(P) Michael Warrick

11 y

Yes and no depending on the subject that is at hand. Phase 1 should be distance learning to ensure the SM is knowledgeable of the subject before coming to Phase II through all phases required and then getting into more depth with hands on training. It is not helpful really for D&C and PFT Training that SM should know how to do !

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SFC(P) (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

SPC Davis have you tried finding someone in your unit to assist with the errors? It may help resolve some of the conflict you are facing in the programs for on-line learning. Usually there is always someone else who has had the same issue and can share information. It may be as simple as your settings for security or further into the browser you are utilizing for them. Running a majority of them in IE usually helps depending on the program or adjusting your settings for compatibility mode also helps. Doing ACCP classes have become more difficult for some do to the way you have to enroll for the full course in order to obtain credit for the course. There is also information on HRC.army.mil in reference to the classes, or Militarycac.com for settings for your browser(s) and different operating systems. I have had better luck with Army-E learning software than ALMs for courses myself and it is usually what I work on due to the nature of the classes.

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SFC(P) (Join to see)

>1 y

SPC Davis, I agree that the programs/websites need an overhaul to allow for ease of use on personal computers. Unfortunately most personal computers are updated more often than a Government will be, i.e. browsers, java etc. with causes part of the problem. Personally I step my laptop back a few versions so that it is compatible with most systems/programs. Would I recommend the Government systems be updated more often to stay current? Yes to include the sites that require the training.

I also understand that completing all the required training in the allotted time available in a drill weekend can be extremely difficult depending on the computers available, the length of the course and the other tasks that have to be accomplished during the time. Unfortunately there is no easy answer, would having a more round robin approach help in some circumstances? Sometimes it helps but there always seems to be a bottle neck effect at some point of it.

This is something that is not just seen at one unit but many feel the same way, that there is not enough hours in the day, equipment on hand etc. From your advantage point what would you recommend be done at your unit that would help resolve the issues of time and required tasks? Would you be willing to take an instructor course and help instruct? Would you help your peers my allowing them to use your computer off hours to get the training done?

You have valid questions that affect every leader but what do you see as solutions that would work in your unit? Also If some of your peers do not have access to a computer at home there is the local library or even a computer lab they may request/receive permission to use at a local college.

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SGT (Join to see)

>1 y

Hello, I hope this finds you well! My sincerest apologies in the
delay of responding to your last reply SGT Helvie. I have been tied up with
travel for work. You’re absolutely correct in saying that civilian computers
are updated more often than Government programs. Therein lies the problem,
there is no reason this should be an issue. The burden of completing the online
training on their own time and equipment almost solely rests on the shoulders
of Guard and Reserve soldiers. This should be a factor heavily considered when
these programs are designed and implemented. If thousands of personal computers
are updated on a regular basis, certainly one program should be able to
maintain compatibility, just my opinion.

I understand that this is an issue affecting more than my
organization, and it spans nationwide. This should be an indicator that the
current way of conducting on line training isn’t working. There are a lot of
other contributing factors. For instance, my unit has a computer pack that consists
of 6 laptop computers, with internal CAC readers. The CAC readers in the
laptops have issues reading, I would say 75% of the soldiers attempting to log
on and complete training. The unit supply has access to new government issued
external CAC readers that could be utilized. However, I am told that we cannot
use them because it is prohibited to download the drivers onto the system. It
is things like this that have an impact unit readiness as well.

I would propose that if you wish soldiers to complete a task, give
them the tools necessary to be successful!

I would absolutely be willing to step up and do whatever necessary
to help remedy the situation. However, I feel there is no change I can affect
at my level. In reference to your question, yes, I have allowed my laptop to be
used during drill by going to the McDonalds down the street from the unit and
hitting the Wi-Fi network. Again, in my opinion this doesn’t begin to solve the
problem at hand.

In all sincerity I hope this isn’t misconstrued as a rant or being
a disgruntled soldier. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I am very
successful and well known in the civilian industry in which I work. I returned
to the military after such a long break in service because I want to be here… I
love being a member of the Army National Guard! I’m simply calling attention to
what I see as a very frustrating and fixable problem.

In conclusion SGT Helvie, I want to thank you for your
participation in this discussion. Your responses were well thought out and to
the point. I would also like to thank you for your service, and I hope we are
able to correspond again in the future.

Best Regards,

SPC Davis, Trinity

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SGT (Join to see)

>1 y

My apologies for the format of the text above, I am unsure as to why it pasted in the field like that.

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SFC(P) (Join to see)

8 y

Looking at the post I see you are a SGT now (hopefully you weren't when I responded! I would feel horrible), Congratulations on the promotion!

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SFC (Join to see)

Posted 8 y ago

I've gotten nothing from the SSD courses. Everyone just sits in front of the computer and clicks away until you are finished. Nobody reads the material....its just a race to get done. It is an added burden for Guard troops. For the most part you can't get logged in due to some security error. It's impossible to run troops through it on a drill weekend. We have a computer lab where half the computers don't work or you don't have the proper credentials to log in. In my personal opinion I think the SSD's are a waste of time. It's holding troops up from being promoted because they can't get it done. There needs to be a different way. Just my personal opinion.

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SGT (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

I believe it would be more helpful if soldiers weren't giving each other the answers or figuring out certain keyboard combinations that auto generate the correct answers.

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SSgt (Join to see)

>1 y

This is true, I only recently saw this for the first time. However, I recently took a CLS class through ALMS that battalion required, and the test was UNSOLVABLE without a cheat sheet. I scored quite well on my CLS re-cert, it was not that I wasn't knowledgeable of the material, it was simply a terribly designed course.

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LTC Charles T Dalbec

Posted >1 y ago

SGT DAVIS. Please follow guidance given below

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CPT (Join to see)

Posted 8 y ago

I feel there should be more effort put into the courseware. It's vital to have these resources, but they're underwhelming in both content and delivery. For example, there could be an interactive module for training with radios and mission command systems such as AFATDS or a Harris PRC 150.

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SGT Bryon Sergent

Posted >1 y ago

Everytime I try to do the SSD that is required it wont show on my computer. Take the security setting off or change them as to let the soldiers that dont have government computers acess the system easier.

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SGT (Join to see)

>1 y

Thanks for your response SPC Sergent, it's appreciated.

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Is distance learning realistic for National Guard, and Reserve Soldiers?

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