The Army hosted an online forum Thursday evening to answer soldier questions about its ongoing efforts to reform the ways it molds and educates future enlisted leaders.
Training and Doctrine Command's second virtual town hall meeting of the year consisted of a trio of panels, where leaders from TRADOC took questions from a live chat room.
The town halls are designed to keep soldiers informed as well as to provide an outlet for feedback. The last Town Hall meeting, held March 3, set no parameters on topics, which despite producing some positive exchanges resulted in the discussion that was "too broad," TRADOC Command Sgt. Maj. Dave Davenport noted at the onset. But he also called a great success, citing 1.1 million reached through social media.
Since the last Town Hall, Davenport said, TRADOC has developed a digital job book, established scheduling priorities for all NCOs attending Professional Military Education, extended battalion and brigade sergeants major tour lengths to 30 months, removed Command Selection List categories, defined broadening opportunities, established a strategy for the One Army School System, and developed the digital rucksack, among other efforts.
This session singled out the One Army School System, Master Leaders Course, Common Core, Structural Development, Army University and Joint Professional Military Education as discussion topics.
The Army has been working to modernize leadership training programs and expand opportunities for professional development (including training and accreditation that can translate into the civilian professional and academic world) as a part of the broader Soldier 2020 program.
Other topics touched upon included the Army's efforts to improve the writing abilities of its leaders and create a universal transcript — one that incorporates all Army training, civilian and military education courses, and any other professional development courses or professional certifications to give a quick snapshot of a soldier's capabilities and achievements.
The next town hall will be held on Nov. 3, Davenport said.
