What AR discusses National Guard IDT Soldiers and their rights to access government computers to complete computer based training?

2018-02-08T05:11:55-05:00

I understand that for anyone to gain access to computers they must have an updated copy of the completion of Cyber Awareness Training (must be renewed annually) and a signed copy of their AUP. I am looking for an AR that discusses what resources Soldiers are entitled to following completion of the cert. If unit's require Soldier's to complete Computer Based Training and turn in certificates of completed courses, what are they required to provide troops with in order to complete those tasks? I have exhausted resources including personal laptops and using access at the USO, but not all training can be done outside of government computers (specifically ISOPREP) and during drill, we are not always given the time, let alone the proper access to working computers. I feel it is my responsibility as and IT Specialist in my unit to help provide the materials and access not only for myself, but for the rest of our Battalion but I am faced with complete disagreement by the J6 of my organization who claims that they are only there to serve AGR's. If anyone can help me locate regulation to back up my "grievances" as the unit calls it, it would be greatly appreciated.

Response by MAJ Tom Hutton made Feb 8 at 2018 7:19 AM

2018-02-08T07:19:03-05:00

Any resources at the Regional Training Institute you can tap into?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2018 9:20 AM

2018-02-08T09:20:11-05:00

Great question PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member . It depends on the organization. I've been in a few guard units that provided time for Soldiers to complete their online correspondence and those who have stated that it is the responsibility of the Soldier to complete their online training on their own time. At the end of the day, the training needs to get done. If I were you, I would advise everyone to buy CAC readers and use http://www.militarycac.com to get their personal computers working with ALMS, JKO, and ATCTS in order to meet the unit requirements.

AR 350-1 governs Army Training and Leader Development. It states that the Deputy Chief of Staff, G–3/5/7 will "Encourage Army activities to allow Soldiers and Army Civilians’ access to Army e-Learning during duty hours for organizational and mission required training to include providing an office location conducive to learning". They are not required to provide access, but it is encouraged.

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Response by SGT Jake Miller made Feb 8 at 2018 10:09 AM

2018-02-08T10:09:32-05:00

In the guard unit I was in we had to ask our chain of command to get the time we needed to do the online courses. We could also have it set up to come in and armory Durning the normal week so you can do them. But I have not seen an AR to support it

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2018 10:39 AM

2018-02-08T10:39:10-05:00

My "feeling" is that this will likely be heavily state dependent. In my state Soldiers can receive access to FTUS systems with the right paperwork and training. That doesn't change the fact that they still don't have regular access to a government computer though. Some armories maintain a dedicated computer for this purpose, but again this is unit dependent. I'm dealing with a related issue in my foxhole. I've got units requesting laptops for IDT weekends but I have nowhere to source them from. Our BDE S6 simply doesn't have any extra. I don't know that you're going to find a regulation that states Soldiers are entitled to computer access, but I may be wrong. Most likely the limitations and/or rules governing computer access for your M-Day troops are going to be contained in a MOU or SOP of some sort.

Frankly it sounds like you have a somewhat lazy J6. It does surprise me a little that you're interacting with Joint Staff as a Battalion staff member. Where are your OIC and NCOIC on this? Is this an issue that your Commander is tracking? I commend your initiative, but you're probably going to need some additional muscle behind this if you want to affect policy changes.