Sign for "army training information system - learning" on a camouflage background. ATIS is the only portal for Army Mandatory Training
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The Army Training Information System: Your New Online Portal

ByArmyConnect™ Reading Time: 7 minutes

The Army Training Information System (ATIS): The Army’s New Portal for Online Mandatory Training

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The Army lifted the check fire on online learning on Monday by releasing their updated online portal for Army mandatory training the Army Training Information System (ATIS). ATIS as a replacement for the Army Learning Management System (ALMS) which had an original release date of earlier this year in January but was met with with delays. This article provides an overview of the ATIS, the reasons for the delay, and the impact on training records and operations.

A composite graphic showing a tank on the left, a central badge reading "army training information system - learning," and a silhouette of a soldier on the right against a sunset. Sign for "army training information system - learning" on a camouflage background. ATIS is the only portal for Army Mandatory Training.

What is the Army Training Information System (ATIS)?

The Army Training Information System (ATIS) is a consolidated training system; the Digital Training Management System (DTMS) for individuals. ATIS contains a customized version of the Moodle scalable learning management system. From the Moodle website (Moodle 2022):

Teach the way your students learn best with Moodle LMS: our open source learning management system.

From K – 12 classrooms to multi-campus universities, our LMS software offers you the flexibility to grow and adapt your organisation’s eLearning platform to all your learners’ needs, now and in the future.

Moodle LMS

The government contractor Perspecta designed this $237.2 million advanced online mandatory training platform to replace the outdated Army Learning Management System (ALMS) (Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems 2020). It is equipped with modern features and capabilities to enhance the training experience for Army personnel (Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems 2021).

ATIS Key Features and Capabilities

  1. Centralized Training Management: ATIS provides a centralized platform for managing all aspects of Army training. It allows users to track and monitor training activities, resources, and personnel.
  2. Training Content Repository: ATIS serves as a repository for training content, including lesson plans, manuals, videos, and other multimedia resources. It provides easy access to various training materials to support Army personnel in their learning and development.
  3. Training Development Tools: ATIS offers tools for creating and designing training programs. These tools enable trainers to develop custom training courses, assessments, and evaluations to meet specific training objectives.
  4. Learning Management System (LMS): ATIS includes an LMS that allows users to deliver and manage Army online mandatory training courses. It supports the creation of interactive e-learning modules, assessments, and certifications.
  5. Individual Training Records: ATIS maintains individual training records for Army personnel. It tracks completed courses, certifications, and qualifications, providing a comprehensive view of each individual’s training history and progress.
  6. Training Needs Analysis: ATIS helps identify training needs by analyzing performance gaps and competency requirements. It provides insights into the skills and knowledge gaps within the Army, enabling training planners to develop targeted training programs.
  7. Training Scheduling and Resource Management: ATIS facilitates the scheduling of training events and manages training resources such as classrooms, equipment, and instructors. It ensures efficient resource allocation and minimizes scheduling conflicts.
  8. Reporting and Analytics: ATIS generates comprehensive reports and analytics on training activities, performance metrics, and compliance. It enables commanders and training managers to assess the effectiveness of training programs and make data-driven decisions.
  9. Mobile Access: ATIS supports mobile access, allowing Army personnel to access training materials and resources on-the-go. This feature enhances flexibility and enables learning anytime, anywhere.
  10. Integration with Other Systems: ATIS integrates with other Army systems, such as human resources management systems and personnel databases. This integration ensures seamless data flow and enhances the accuracy of training records.

Overall, ATIS is a robust platform that streamlines training management, supports learning and development, and enhances the effectiveness of Army training programs. Eventual integration with existing Army training infrastructure and systems like the Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army (IPPS-A) will improve the soldiers’ online experience and modernize career development.

ATIS Program Components

Below are the published components for the Army Training Information System. The original link no longer works, but we captured the details from our previous article detailing how the Army delayed the rollout of ATIS. All information in the list below is from the Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems, published in 2023.

  • Digital Training Facilities (DTFs)
    • DTFs provide Soldiers with an on-base location to access web-based, job related and professional courses away from the workplace and distractions of home.  DTFs include networked computers that support CD-ROM based training, Video Tele-training equipment to support room based courseware transmission from remote sites, computer servers to support the network and provide a high-speed gateway from the classroom to Army intranets and the internet.  DLS manages the DTFs worldwide from the Enterprise Management Center (EMC) at Fort Eustis, VA.
  • Mobile Digital Training Facility (MDTF)
    • A Mobile DTFs is a preplanned product improvement (P3I) of the existing DTF design.  The MDTFs provide a transportable capability and feature 10 laptops,  video teletraining/video conferencing, and 2 ruggedized cases for storage/shipment.  The MDTFs are designed to be connected to the unit’s local area network for use wherever and whenever access to distributed learning is needed.
  • Deployed Digital Training Campus (DDTC)
    • DDTC is a portable, Warrior Information Training System, which can be setup at any deployed Soldier location around the world. The training campus is a completely self-contained system with 20 laptops, Internet and satellite accessibility. The system can also provide video tele-training and it is designed for Soldiers to conduct structured self development courses, advanced leader course phase one common core, correspondence courses, and any other program in the Army e-Learning catalog and the Army Learning Management System (ALMS). Each DDTC system is able to help Soldiers train and stay competitive for promotion with their garrison peers while they’re at deployed destinations.
  • Enterprise Management Center (EMC)
    • The EMC is the core of the second Increment of the Army’s evolutionary acquisition strategy to support Army training.  The EMC is the technology and communications focal point for the program. The EMC is the key enabler in the implementation of the globally distributed but centrally managed enterprise system.
  • The Army Learning Management System (ALMS)
    • The ALMS is the Army-approved, centrally-managed and funded system for training management. The ALMS streamlines, consolidates, and provides overall direction to the Army’s training processes. It builds upon ATIS supporting infrastructure and utilizes DoD-managed common user networks to implement a comprehensive, automated system for administering Army training throughout the Force. The ALMS can manage a student’s training activities from initial entry and continue throughout his/her service. The ALMS provides course and training resource management, scheduling and registration functions, courseware distribution, delivery, and storage, learning collaboration, and permanent record keeping of training activities and results.
  • Army e-Learning
    • Provides free training for every Active Army, National Guard, Reservist, ROTC Cadet (MS III/IV) and Department of the Army Civilian.  The 3,500+ commercial web-based information technology, business, leadership, and personal development courses are accessible 24×7 from anywhere using an internet connection.
  • Range Facility Management support System (RFMSS)
    • RFMSS is a web based application that is designed to efficiently assist installation commanders in providing training support for units and schools to manage valuable training lands and ranges. RFMSS is also the Authoritative Data Source (ADS) for Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy and the Marines for range utilization data.

Army Online Mandatory Training

Despite the delay, the refreshed course tracking features and user-friendly interface will improve the way soldiers take training. While we do not have direct access to the system, we hope the long wait brings a more personalized and engaging learning experience. Additionally, we hope that the Product Manager (PdM) Army Training Information System (ATIS) emphasized more than a new coat of paint but improved training paths, modern interactive modules, and real-time progress tracking that will not simply enhance soldiers’ skills and readiness but keep them engaged and caring about the material.

All Army online mandatory training is now listed on the new Army Training Information System and the older ALMS website will take you to the new page during the familiarization and transition period. We have updated our links on our Army annual training page accordingly. Let us know if you see an error or if we need to make an update.

Conclusion: A Much-Needed Upgrade For Army Mandatory Training

If PdM ATIS fails to stick to the landing, this upgrade will become an expensive meme for soldiers to mock and avoid. The migration of legacy training records, certificate generation, updated learning materials, and the sharing of course completion into IPPS-A and DTMS are vital to soldier buy-in. The days of emailing multiple certificates to various departments are gone. Your installation should have a way to pull your Cyber Awareness certificate the same way your first-line leader (FLL) can access your annual training records.

A friendly reminder: ‘should’ is a dangerous place to live.

Let us know your experience with the new interface.

Is this LMS the new hotness or simply a new coat of paint on the old and busted?

Sources / Credit

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