U.S. ARMY AND MGEN OFFER REMOTE WAR-FIGHTING COURSES AND TRAINING TO NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS

-- Fort Leavenworth’s Battle Command Training Program and Command and General Staff College Deploy mGen’s Learning, Knowledge and Human Capital Management System to Provide Tailored Courses to Soldiers Around the World --

Foxborough, MA - July 22, 2002 - In an effort to increase and improve war-fighting preparedness, the U.S. Army’s Battle Command Training Program (BCTP), in coordination with the Command and General Staff College (CGSC), has recently deployed mGen Enterprise, a learning, knowledge and human capital management system. By implementing mGen Enterprise, soldiers in the Army National Guard Brigades are taking classes remotely and increasing their war fighting skills prior to arriving at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for real-time training seminars. Soldiers around the world will participate in courses at any given time, as units rotate in and out of training.

“We are very excited by the opportunities the mGen solution has provided us,” said Major Floyd Lucas of the Operations Group C for the Army’s Battle Command Training Program, located in Fort Leavenworth. “In the past, there were courses the soldiers needed to take to complete their training, but due to time and existing seminar requirements, we were unable to offer them. By providing these courses remotely through the mGen system, we have increased our level of training and support to our soldiers. This has also enabled the soldiers to be well prepared in advance of attending the seminar at Fort Leavenworth. In addition, mGen Enterprise has enabled us to receive instant feedback on the progress of the soldiers attending the seminar, provide mentorship when a soldier requests it and adjust the training when necessary.”

Prior to implementing mGen Enterprise, the BCTP attempted to provide additional basic staff training to its soldiers via CD-ROM. Due to the static nature of providing courses via CD-ROM, and its inability to track performance, the BCTP decided to reevaluate its options. After receiving acceptance by the CGSC to use mGen Enterprise – which is used by the Army’s Classroom XXI TRADOC (Training and Doctrine Command) Program – the BCTP began to transition classes to the system, and named it the BCBST Seminar Preparatory Course.

Currently, 21 core classes make up a total of 88 individual tailored courses for soldiers offered through the mGen solution. Each soldier – based on their position held within a unit – take courses specifically designed for the respective Battlefield Operating Systems (BOS). Mentors or Observer Trainers (OTs), with specialty in a respective BOS, serve as authors to the classes and can provide direct assistance to soldiers in the course. Some of the classes include General Studies, Maneuver, Intelligence, Fire Support, Mobility and Survivability, Air Defense, Command and Control and Combat Service Support.

Benefits to both the mentors and users have been immediately recognized since implementing the courses through mGen Enterprise. Soldiers receive immediate feedback after taking quizzes, which helps to keep their participation fresh, and OTs can monitor on a collective level, units and students based on individual classes. As a result, OTs can adjust training as necessary.

“Military agencies are always looking for ways to improve training and streamline processes,” said Jack Battersby, president and CEO of mGen. “The BCTP’s ability to offer courses remotely to soldiers, in advance of their face-to-face training, is a great example of how an organization can evaluate the training needs of the organization and act accordingly to what type of training works best in specific instances. We look forward to working with Fort Leavenworth to continue to improve training and increase efficiencies for homeland security.”

Christine Boyle
Director, Corporate Marketing
508.549.0970
christine.boyle@mgen.com