Where and When You Want It… For Free
Soldiers aspiring to increase their technical knowledge to advance either their military or civilian careers can access the tools to do so for free through the Army e-Learning Program.
A component of the Army’s Distributed Learning System, Army e-Learning offers free, online training to all National Guard, Active Duty, Reserves, ROTC, Cadets and Department of the Army (DA) Civilian service members. It includes over 3,500 web-based courses, covering a wide range of subjects in the areas of information technology (IT), business, leadership and personal development.
The program also includes over 100 business and IT certification prep courses and exams, including Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect/Associate and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), to name just a few.
Additionally, the Army e-Learning Program offers numerous courses that have been recommended by the American Council on Education for college credits. While acceptance of e-Learning course credits may vary among different colleges and universities, according to Army e-Learning reports, higher learning institutions typically reflect a strong record of counting e-Learning credits toward earning a degree.
For those who find independent learning to be a challenge, Army e-learning has you covered. The program facilitates access to mentors and subject matter experts – available 24-hours a day via live chat, phone and email – who can answer student questions and offer advice. The option to create Customized Learning Paths, which can be structured to fit the organizational training needs of individual students, is also offered through e-Learning. This feature allows students to map their curriculum to match the requirements of their particular military occupational specialty (MOS) or civilian job field. The Individual Development Plan feature allows students to identify future courses that can help build their resume in preparation for promotion or other job growth opportunities.
Enlisted students receive one promotion point for every five hours of e-Learning training, and Department of the Army (DA) civilians receive Continuous Learning Points for e-Learning course completions. A final test score of 70 percent or higher is required to pass a course. Failing a course test exacts no penalty, and tests may be taken as many times as necessary to pass. Test results are only seen by the student and the designated program administrators.
The program has no cap on the number of courses students may register for at one time, and most courses do not include time limits (outside of organizational requirements) for completion. It is a true “go-at-your-own-pace” system. If students are seeking to brush up on just certain areas of a subject, they can access the course’s content and only review the desired sections without having to complete the full course. Though a certificate of completion will not be granted in this circumstance, it allows students to study highly specific content on demand.
The Army e-Learning Program offers Solders and DA Civilians the ability to train when and how it best fits their professional needs and personal schedules. Take advantage and start advancing your career today.
To find more information on the e-Learning program, go to DLS.Army.mil/Army_e-Learning.html. To register for class or to review a current list of courses, visit the Army e-Learning portal at: USArmy.Skillport.com/skillportfe/custom/login/usarmy/login.action.
By Staff Writer Matthew Liptak
