New Qualification Course trains Army's Knowledge Management sections

What is it?

For several years, those trying to make KM work in units had no doctrine, training or organizational structure to assist them. Help is on the way. In August 2008, FM 6-01.1, Knowledge Management Section, was published. While designed primarily for brigades and divisions, it also has applicability for other echelons. The organizational structure for KM sections at the Brigade Combat Team, division, corps and Army Service Component Command levels was added during the refinement process. Beginning July 13, 2009, the Army now has a KM Qualification Course.

What has the Army done?

As the Army Operational Knowledge Management Proponent, the Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth is responsible for developing an enduring knowledge management capability across the Army. For the last six months, CAC's Battle Command Knowledge System has been developing the Army Knowledge Management Qualification Course. The course will produce a Knowledge Management Professional Additional Skill Identifier/Skill Identifier which will allow the Army to track the trained personnel. Along with FM 6-01.1 and the soon-to-be-published KM Section Handbook (virtual), Soldiers will have both the "what is KM" as well as the "how to do KM" and ready-to-use KM tips and lessons learned.

Why is this important to the Army?

BCKS is conducting the first of three pilot courses, July 13 - Aug. 14, 2009. Grounded in FM 6-01.1 and FM 3-0, Operations, this course includes separate tracks for officers and NCO content managers. The course is designed to produce KM Sections that can plan, coordinate and synchronize KM; and to train them on various KM processes and technologies, such as the Warfighter Forums and virtual right-seat ride tools.

The five-week course includes a CAPSTONE exercise designed to raise the level of training effectiveness with a KM-focused simulated exercise. The curriculum consists of a common core and individual instruction tailored to meet the special requirements of each duty position.

Some say knowledge is the Soldier's last competitive advantage, and that may be true when realizing that a smart and adaptive enemy is also looking for an edge. At a conference at Fort Leavenworth in March 2009, TRADOC Gen. Martin Dempsey said, "Knowledge management is one of the things that make warfare in the future different from warfare in the past."