HTAR Course Intro

HTAR Course Description

The four-week How the Army Runs (HTARC) is designed to educate and train military and civilian Force Managers on how the Army runs in the current Operating Environment (OE). HTARC teaches the roles, missions, and functions of the seven interdependent and continuous processes within the Army Force Management Model (e.g., strategy, joint capabilities integration and development system, defense acquisition system, structure, authorizations, personnel, and equipment), the nine Force Integration Functional Areas (e.g., structuring, manning, equipping, training, sustaining, funding, deploying, stationing, and readiness), and the requirements and acquisition processes that work together to produce trained and ready forces for the Combatant Commanders. 

For additional information see the AFMS HTARC Brochure    

HTAR Course Director

HTAR Course Prerequisites

1. Working in a force management related position or environment to include force accounting and documentation, combat developments, force design and systems integration, force development, force doctrine, force management, force mobilization, force modernization, force planning, force requirements and programs, force structure materiel developers, training developers, and manpower management.

Military: CPT-COL; CW2-CW5; MSG-SGM/CSM
Civilian: GS11 - GS15
Contractor: In support of Army Operations

2. All military students must be in compliance with respective height/weight standards. Please see the Welcome Letter for the class you are attending for further details as needed.

3. Individuals that do not meet the prerequisites may attend HTARC under the following guidelines:

a. Space available, in that there are seats available not otherwise reserved by students using the existing pre-requisites. Army Commands (ACOM) may nominate senior NCOs within their current HTAR allocations.

b. The unit/organization will provide funding for TDY (travel, lodging, and per diem).

c. The individual is performing force management duties or where understanding the policies, processes, players, and products of how the Army runs is required in the conduct of his/her duties. A memorandum signed by the first O6 in the NCO's chain of command will satisfy this requirement and must accompany the ACOMs nomination for the student to attend. Use the following format for the memorandum:

1) Address memorandum to: COMMANDANT, ARMY FORCE MANAGEMENT SCHOOL (AFMS) 5500 21st STREET, SUITE 1400, FORT BELVOIR VA 22060-5923.
2) Paragraph 1: provide the individuals name, grade, duty position, UIC, and describe the force management duties being performed.
3) Paragraph 2: state the TDA/MTOE position number and title that the individual is currently filling within the requesting organization. If no TDA/MTOE position, describe why understanding the policies, processes, players, and products of how the Army runs is important to the requesting unit.
4) Paragraph 3: state the reason why the individual requires the training and if not trained what effect will it have on mission completion.
5) Paragraph 4: include a statement that the requesting organization understands and is responsible for the initiation and closing of all required DTS vouchers and orders, and that the requesting organization is responsible for all associated Temporary Duty expenses to and from AFMS.

d. Units may opt to scan and EMAIL the memorandum.

e. Please note that simply reserving a seat in the Army Training Resource and Requirements System (ATRRS) does not equate to registration. Specifically, the ACOM training manager must nominate the prospective student to the AFMS Registrar (Interim) for enrollment and an approved registration.

4. Direct any questions to AFMS Registrar at (703) 805-4904.

HTAR Course Overview

The course is divided into four weeks (156 hours of instruction) focusing on Strategy, PPBE (Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution), Capabilities Development / Materiel Development, Force Structure and Force Development. The Force Development week consists of a force integration case study and a capstone problem. The force integration case study allows students to develop and present solutions using both personal experience and material learned in the program of instruction. Focus is on Affordability, Supportability and Executability of solutions to structure issues. The capstone problem affords students the opportunity to select one of up to ten current force management problems and using the knowledge gained from the course and personal experience, develop an innovative solution to be presented to the Headquarters, Department of the Army Force Management Office.

Classroom instruction is presented in lecture, lecture/conference and practical exercise format. Lessons provide students with a doctrinal and regulatory construct of the seven interdependent and continuous processes within the Army Force Management Model and the nine Force Integration Functional Areas. Some lessons incorporate practical information and exercises to increase the students' ability to apply material in a working environment. The primary course text is the Army War College text, How the Army Runs; A Senior Leader Reference Handbook, supplemented by current and draft Army publications to increase student familiarity and knowledge of existent and emerging force management practices.

The course is designed for an optimal of 42 students and a maximum of 48 students per class and is offered nine times each year. (January to October) The target audience is officers: CPT-COL, warrant officers: CW2-CW5, enlisted: MSG-SGM/CSM, and civilians: (GS 11-15) working in or going to a force management coded position, and are selected by appropriate DA Staff agencies and Army commands. The course quotas and limited funding are established by HQDA and managed by the AFMS Registrar Ms. Joann Stalsworth, 703-805-4902. Attendance at the course is generally funded through your unit or command. Please contact the Registrar if you have any questions or need clarification.

HTAR Course Enrollment Procedures

Prospective students must apply through the formal nomination process. If you have questions about the enrollment procedures, quotas, registration, scheduling, class dates, security clearances, space availability, nomination process or prerequisites, Contact the AFMS Registrar at 703-805-4902

Nominated for a school quota by the appropriate Headquarters Department of the Army Staff (ARSTAF), Field Operating Agency (FOA), or Army Command (ACOM)

• Quotas are established by HQDA ( DCS, G3) and managed by the AFMS Registrar Ms. Joann Stalsworth, 703-805-4904. Attendance at the Army Force Management School is funded by the sending commands. Please contact the AFMS Registrar for information.
• Quotas are allocated to the ARSTAF, FOAs and ACOMs
  

Request for a seat in the class

• Interested individuals request a school quota through the appropriate chain of command to their local training coordinator
• Training coordinators request a quota from their ARSTAF, FOA or ACOM point of contact (POC). The decision authority for quota allocation is the ARSTAF, FOA or ACOM
• The ARSTAF, FOA or ACOM nominate students to the school
• The AFMS Registrar (Interim) reviews and approves the nominations. The Registrar provides the ARSTAF, FOA or ACOM concurrence / nonconcurrence
• Approved nominees receive a welcome packet with course materials and registration procedures 45 days prior to the course starting date

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HTAR Course Billeting

Billeting: All AFMS students in a TDY status will report to post billeting located in Knadle Hall (building 470) 9775 Gaillard Road Fort Belvoir, VA 22060. Fort Belvoir billeting is operated by the IHG Army Hotels (https://www.ihgarmyhotels.com). Fort Belvoir Billeting (Knadle Hall) contact telephone information is:

	Reservations	(703) 704-8600
	Customer Service	(703) 704-8700
	Front Desk	(703) 704-8300
	Manager	(703) 704-8000
	Knadle Hall	(703) 704-8300

Uniform: The duty uniform for all AFMS courses is: Military personnel will wear the Army Combat Uniform (ACUs); the civilian duty uniform is business casual.

HTAR Course Dates

FY 2025

ID	START DATE	END DATE	DESCRIPTION
006	5/12/2025	6/6/2025	Resident
007	7/7/2025	8/1/2025	Resident
008	8/4/2025	8/29/2025	Resident
009	9/8/2025	10/3/2025	Virtual

FY 2026

ID	START DATE	END DATE	DESCRIPTION
001	10/6/2025	10/31/2025	Virtual
002	1/5/2026	1/30/2026	Resident
003	2/9/2026	3/6/2026	Virtual
004	3/9/2026	4/3/2026	Resident
005	4/13/2026	5/8/2026	Resident
006	5/11/2026	6/5/2026	Resident
007	7/6/2026	7/31/2026	Resident
008	8/3/2026	8/28/2026	Resident
009	8/31/2026	9/25/2026	Virtual

FY 2027

ID	START DATE	END DATE	DESCRIPTION
001	10/12/2026	10/30/2026	Virtual
002	1/11/2027	2/5/2027	Resident
003	2/15/2027	3/12/2027	Virtual
004	3/15/2027	4/9/2027	Resident
005	4/19/2027	5/14/2027	Resident
006	5/17/2027	6/11/2027	Resident
007	6/28/2027	7/23/2027	Resident
008	8/2/2027	8/27/2027	Resident
009	8/30/2027	9/24/2027	Virtual

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