Training the Professional Soldier: Bridging Inexperience and Sophisticated Warfighting Technologies
Abstract
The US Army of 2021 faces challenges similar to those seen during the post-Korean War and post-Vietnam War periods. These two periods of history highlight material and personnel revolutions that required a change in training. During the post-Korean War period, the US Army struggled to adequately train its human capital on the use of sophisticated weapons and then retain them in sufficient numbers to build readiness. During the post-Vietnam War period, the US Army transitioned to the All-Volunteer Force. The All-Volunteer Force eventually leveraged further technology advancements to adopt a training and professionalization culture analogous to the training and professionalism of licensed practical nurses, licensed industrial technicians, and skilled tradesmen. This achievement is also the US Army's Achilles heel, since units cannot train and certify such specialists overnight. If large-scale combat operations result from the current competitive policies of Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea, the US Army will need to have already in place a supportive cognitive environment for training inexperienced replacements on sophisticated weapon systems maintenance. Augmented reality is an information-age training methodology and aid that combines point-of-need training, improved training efficiency, and a resilient training strategy. Its adoption by the army will bridge the inexperience gap of newly-inducted or newly-enlisted soldiers, allowing them to immediately engage in sophisticated weapon systems maintenance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 20, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1161042
Entities
People
- Michael L. Hefti
Organizations
- School of Advanced Military Studies