What kind of training will I receive on IPPS-A?Training will show users how to utilize IPPS-A’s additional capabilities. Distance Learning is available in the system. Several types of training will be offered to users depending on their role and system permissions. In collaboration with the United States Army Soldier Support Institute (USASSI), the IPPS-A team is dedicated to ensuring the Army is fully trained and prepared for IPPS-A.
For current training initiatives, visit IPPS-A training. Demos, webinars and videos are also available on S1Net, YouTube and Facebook.
*Note: If the Army network blocks YouTube video links, you may 1) view videos on S1Net or Facebook or 2) log off VPN or try a different network.
Do I need to recertify my IPPS-A access? Starting 21 September 2023, annual recertification of system access is required to retain your current level of system access (any level above self-service). This ensures users have the appropriate level of access. If a user is not recertified prior to the 365th day, they will be reduced to self-service access and will have to submit a new access request.
Access expires based on either the user’s set access expiration date or 365 days since their last access request — reoccurring annually. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that their Soldiers only have the minimum level of access to complete their job.
IPPS-A will notify elevated access users through an automated email and system notification 60, 45, 30, 10, and 1 day(s) before user access expires.
To complete the recertification (After 9/21/2023) of system access, either:
1. Navigate to Menu>Self-Service>Access Recertification and submit your recertification request. Which will be routed and vetted through the user’s Supervisor. The recertification must be completed prior to your expiration date.
OR
- Submit a new access request which will be routed and vetted through the user’s Supervisor. The access request must be fully approved before your expiration date.
Is Distance Learning training mandatory? Distance Learning (d/L) training is required to obtain elevated permission/access above self-service access. Depending on the responsibilities required of a given HR Professional/Field User or Leader/Approver, they will be assigned one or more of the following roles within IPPS-A:
- HR Professional role (anyone who currently performs HR actions in their component’s HR system) consists of 40 hours d/L and 16 hours of Instructor Facilitated Training (IFT).
- Subject Matter Expert role consists of an additional 8 hours of d/L and 16 hours of IFT.
- Validator role consists of an additional 4 hours of d/L and 8 hours of IFT.
- Leader role (anyone who currently approves actions in their component’s system) consists of 1 hour of d/L.
- Although the Soldier Self-Service course is not mandatory at this time, it is strongly recommended.
Visit Training page for more information.
Where can I find an IPPS-A user guide, 101, job aid or manual? Will IPPS-A subsume other systems? IPPS-A is currently slated to subsume the capabilities of more than 30 Army Human Resources systems and Eliminate over 300 Interfaces. Additionally, the Army will discontinue the use of five Department of Defense (DoD) finance systems which will remain running for other military services. Before any system’s capabilities are subsumed, analysis will be conducted to ensure that each subsumed system’s functionalities can be accomplished by the Army with IPPS-A. Upon full deployment, IPPS-A will interface with ~84 external systems in order to obtain personnel data. As the analysis is done and details are finalized, the list of specific systems and timeframes will be made available.
Will IPPS-A continue to be sustained? IPPS-A has significant senior Army leadership support. IPPS-A is Army-focused and Army-led and has stakeholder involvement.
What is the current status of IPPS-A's deployment? IPPS-A Release 3 is live for all Army components.
What can be expected in the future? Increment II /.(dot) Releases will focus on the personnel services not yet addressed by the previous releases. Specifically, these releases will incorporate functions related to continuous improvement and modernization, along with automating some of the remaining additional manual activities, including: Defense Joint Military Pay System-Active Component, Defense Joint Military Pay System-Reserve Component, Defense MilPay Office, Disconnected Operations, Mobile Capabilities, Performance Evaluations (Full), Reporting & Analytics, Retention Management (Full), User Security/Audit Trails and Workflow/Visibility.
What can be expected in future releases and what's to come with it? Future releases will focus on pay services building upon previous releases to provide the basis for a fully integrated personnel and pay system. IPPS-A will incorporate pay functionality to include, but not limited to, base pay, taxes, allowances, bonuses, allotments and leave. IPPS-A will serve as an authoritative data source for Soldier personnel and pay data and will fully support the Army’s audit readiness goals for the Military Personnel Appropriations.
What is included in Release 3? Release 3 provides capabilities that support accountability and essential personnel services necessary to subsume numerous legacy field system including eMILPO and TAPDB-R. IPPS-A establishes a consolidated system that provides accountability of Soldiers and tracking of all personnel to include deployed Soldiers. It allows Commanders in the field to access timely, accurate and standardized personnel data for Soldiers in all components and provide a basic means to identify Soldiers who should be on the payroll. In addition to delivering most of the functions required to establish an Army-wide HR system, Release 3 will bring HR payroll drivers on board to enhance accuracy of pay, credit for service and benefits. IPPS-A will serve as the authoritative data source for all personnel transactions within the system.
Interactive Personnel Electronics Records Management System (iPERMS) will not be subsumed by IPPS-A.
Why did Release 2 only impact the Army National Guard? How was it beneficial to the Active Army and Reserve? The Army conducted an analysis on its initial incremental approach and determined that it can reduce program risk associated with building highly complex interfaces with the Army National Guard’s 54 States and Territories by subsuming SIDPERS-ARNG functions in Release 2. Therefore, Release 2 deployed new capabilities exclusively to the ARNG. These same capabilities will be used by all components in Release 3 and Release 4. IPPS-A capabilities in Release 2 were developed with input from subject matter experts from all Components. This will ensure that all IPPS-A capabilities will meet the needs of all Army Components.
What is the deployment strategy for IPPS-A? IPPS-A is being launched incrementally in phases, or “releases,” over the coming years. Each release will build upon the system’s previous release, starting with IPPS-A’s first release. On January 7, 2019, IPPS-A’s Release 2 achieved operational status at the initial Go-Live in Pennsylvania. Release 2 was deployed across the Army National Guard in fielding groups and completed in March 2020. Release 2 subsumed SIDPERS-ARNG and eTRANS. Release 3 deployed to HR Professionals in December 2022 and to all users in January 2023. It provides the capabilities currently supported by the major field systems for the Active Army and Army Reserve and subsumes approximately 30+ HR and Pay Systems. Release 4 will introduce Global Payroll, and IPPS-A will become the Authoritative Data Source for payroll for the entire Army. Increment II /.(dot) Releases will provide the remaining essential personnel services not previously supported. This approach ensures IPPS-A meets the needs of all its users. Visit the IPPS-A website to learn more on Release 2 and Release 3 fielding.
IPPS-A’s subsequent releases will interface with current HR and Pay systems and in certain cases, subsume their functions. IPPS-A will ultimately subsume 40+ HR and Pay systems currently in use. Before any system’s functions are subsumed, the Army will conduct an analysis to ensure that each subsumed system’s functions can be accomplished with IPPS-A or other systems.
Who will use IPPS-A? IPPS-A will be used by all Soldiers, Leaders, and Human Resource (HR) Professionals within the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve to conduct personnel and pay activities throughout their career. Every Soldier’s personnel and pay information will be managed within IPPS-A. IPPS-A will not contain personnel information on Army Civilians and will not automatically allow Army Civilian access. Authorized military staff will have the ability to assign Army Civilians as “Persons of Interest” (POI) and grant them access to IPPS-A.
What is IPPS-A? The Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army (IPPS-A) will modernize Army human resources, support the Talent Management infrastructure, and make personnel transactions transparent and mobile. The new pay system is light years ahead of the legacy systems, and is able to communicate with supporting personnel systems. Soldiers will have the ability to securely make personnel, talent management, and pay changes from a cell phone.
IPPS-A is an online HR system that will enable personnel transactions to automatically trigger pay and provide a comprehensive HR record for all Soldiers in each component. In addition, Soldiers will have access to their own personal information 24 hours a day and mobile self-service capabilities. IPPS-A’s ability to combine personnel and pay functions (e.g., a promotion or call to Active Duty) will address current inefficiencies caused by complex interfaces among 30+ “stove-piped” HR systems. As a result, IPPS-A will leave fewer opportunities for error and will become the authoritative and comprehensive source of Army personnel and pay information.
IPPS-A serves as the vehicle to manage talent and data for the Army. IPPS-A will deliver visibility over the Total Force and maximize the potential of the Army’s greatest asset, the Soldier, to enhance Army readiness. IPPS-A will, for the first time ever, provide automated capabilities, allowing the Total Army to manage Total Force talent, and provide an audit capability required by law. IPPS-A will include a Soldier Talent Profile to holistically look at Soldiers. The Soldier Talent Profile provides a detailed level of workplace characteristics on each Soldier in the force. IPPS-A will provide a marketplace to match individual talent against job requirements, allowing commanders and leaders to interact with Soldiers to align their talents in the field. IPPS-A will deliver improved talent information flow and greater transparency between all components of the Army to employ and retain its very best.
Where can I get more information about IPPS-A? Who provides system development oversight? The IPPS-A Project Management Office (PMO) leads daily operations overseeing IPPS-A’s development. In addition, the IPPS-A program has a strong network of Army and Department of Defense (DoD)-level oversight and governance teams including a Council of Colonels, General Officer Steering Committee, and an Executive Steering Committee that ensure it is in compliance with acquisition, pay, and personnel compliance standards and ultimately the Army’s overall requirements.
Who determines what is in the system? The Army. Functional and technical requirements have been gathered from Army personnel and pay subject matter experts (SMEs), reviewed and evaluated by the IPPS-A team, then validated by a series of governance bodies (e.g., Council of Colonels, General Officer Steering Committee). These bodies consist of program SMEs and leadership from across the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve.
Are there Reserve Component Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on the program (Army National Guard and Army Reserve)? Yes. There are Army National Guard (ARNG) and Army Reserve (USAR) liaisons assigned to the program to help identify ways IPPS-A will interface with ARNG and USAR systems. Additionally, there is an ARNG and USAR team of SMEs co-located with the IPPS-A program to provide insight, expertise, and counsel to the IPPS-A program. This approach ensures that all Army Components are in synch on how IPPS-A will meet the needs of all users across the Army.
How is IPPS-A changing Army HR? IPPS-A is executing a massive Business Process Reengineering (BPR) and HR modernization effort to change HR Processes in order to maximize use of COTS Software (~150+ business processes reduced to ~50+) and provide transparency and audibility to the Total Army.
Will Army Civilians have access to IPPS-A? Army Civilians will not automatically be granted access to IPPS-A. If civilian personnel and sister service military members need an IPPS-A account, they must contact the Training Resources Administrator (TRA) to get set up and added into the system. These users will require assistance to gain access to the system and enroll in training. Contact the organization’s TRA as soon as possible to be added as Persons of Interest (POIs) and granted required roles and permissions to execute required duties.
How will authorized users access IPPS-A on mobile devices? The IPPS-A human resources mobile application (app) allows Soldiers to access their personnel records using a mobile phone or tablet. The purpose of the IPPS-A app is to provide the IPPS-A users a convenient way of logging into IPPS-A self-service through DS Logon utilizing a smart phone or tablet. The app provides Soldiers with self-service access to Army personnel records without requiring a common access card (CAC) for authentication and has the same level of sophistication and security that secure banking and personal service apps have today. Through the app, self-service transactions — including trouble tickets — are automated, paper-free and transparent from initiation to approval. The mobile app is available to all Army component users. Click here for more information on the mobile app.
Users can also CAC login into the app, allowing HR Professionals and Commanders to approve anywhere at anytime!
What happens if I don't log into IPPS-A for 90 days? User access is blocked after 90 days of inactivity for HR Professionals and other elevated roles. Users must submit a request to restore their elevated access. However, Self-Service access is never locked. You will always have Self-Service access even if you have not logged into IPPS-A within the previous 90 days.
What role is automatically provisioned within IPPS-A? All Soldiers within IPPS-A are automatically provisioned, granted, the role of Self Service. This role will never expire even when not used over long periods of time as long as the Soldier remains in an Army component.
What are Dual Persona users? Dual persona are IPPS-A users with two credential certificates. ARNG or USAR members with an employee record in IPPS-A and have a different job that, for reasons of segregation of duties, requires a separate login. For example, dual-status technician or military personnel, who work in a civilian capacity and require access to IPPS-A, require a second common access card (CAC). Dual persona users will log into IPPS-A and use the appropriate CAC/PIV certificate for the “persona” (Soldier/Civilian/Contractor) in the CAC reader.
How do I access IPPS-A? What access and roles to Army personnel currently have in IPPS-A? All component Soldiers have automatic Self-Service access. Civilians/Persons of Interest (POIs) and users requiring elevated roles, must complete required training and submit an access request within the system for specific roles (subcategories) to perform their responsibilities (known as row level security or ROWSECCLASS).
Will the IPPS-A Mobile App support my phone? The IPPS-A Mobile App is only available for the following devices and operating systems (OS)
- Android Based Phones and Tablets
What is the purpose of the IPPS-A Mobile App? It is to provide the IPPS-A users a convenient way of logging into IPPS-A self-service through DS Logon utilizing a smart phone or tablet. For more information, visit
https://ipps-a.army.mil/about/mobile.
What functions can I perform on the IPPS-A Mobile App? The IPPS-A Mobile App allows Soldiers to access their personnel records, IPPS-A Support, IPPS-A News, and Army News and perform self-service requests. Visit mobile app page for more information.
In Support view, the user will be able to:
- Visit various IPPS-A Webpages
- Access IPPS-A Social Media Pages
- Call the IPPS-A Help Desk
- Email the IPPS-A Help Desk for General Inquiries only. System support inquiries must be submitted through CRM when logged into IPPS-A.
- Access the IPPS-A 101 Brief (pdf)
Once Soldiers are fully provisioned, they will have self-service functionality.
No CAC Required = Self-Service via DS Logon
- Update address and contact information
- Self-Profess knowledge, skills and behaviors
- View personal profile
- View promotion points (semi-centralized)
- Submit/track personnel actions requests (PARs)
- View and apply for job openings (view marketplace vacancies)
- Assignments (make elections and view assignment orders)
- Request/view a payroll absence (leave)
CAC Required = HR Professional or Commander
- Review and approve transactions
- Non self-service: if a user has a CAC reader for their mobile device, user can login as an elevated user
Is the IPPS-A Mobile App available? The mobile app is available for download. See
mobile app page for more information.
Is the IPPS-A Mobile App secure? Do I have to buy the IPPS-A Mobile App? Yes! All critical information is encrypted and no personal information is stored on your mobile device.
The IPPS-A Mobile App is completely free to download and install. See mobile app page for more information.
What is the difference between the IPPS-A Mobile App and the IPPS-A Website? The IPPS-A mobile app provides a convenient way for users to login to IPPS-A self-service through DoD Self-service Logon (DS Logon) utilizing a smart phone or tablet. The app enables Soldiers to gain access to their personnel records and self-service functionality. In addition, users are able to contact IPPS-A Help Desk while utilizing the app and read the latest news and updates from IPPS-A. To access the system through a direct web login and Common Access Card, use Self-Service User: https://my.ippsa.army.mil and Elevated User: https://hr.ippsa.army.mil.
The IPPS-A public website serves as users’ One Stop Shop for information and resources pertaining to IPPS-A. The website is used for information only and provides a wealth of knowledge to all three Army Components, including: system capabilities, deployment timeline, training requirements, printable resources and more.