Simulated, Sustained Combat Operations in the Field Artillery Fire Direction Center (FDC): A Model for Evaluating Biomedical Indices,
Abstract
Military biomedical scientists must quantify how biological and behavioral phenomena influence operational capability and military effectiveness. To this end, four 82d Airborne Division FDC teams were tested in simulated, sustained combat operations. Role players interacted from scripts describing mission demands matched across time. Biomedical data were also obtained. All teams performed intense workload operations, without shifts. Teams 1 and 4 anticipated a single 86 h challenge; they discontinued after 48 and 45 h. Teams 2 and 3 experienced two 38 h challenges separated by 34 h rest; however, a Team 3 member withdrew after 6 h (second challenge). Accuracy for on-call missions against preplanned targets suffered in Teams 1 and 4. After 36 h, much preplanned target processing was never completed, not even for priority targets. In the second challenges, Teams 2 and 3 showed reduced preplanning efficiency after 24-36 h. Verbal communication units decreased during lulls; larger task-related ratios preceded performance deteriorations. The ratios of Teams 1 and 4 increased until 24-30 h. Later, preplanning activities deteriorated markedly and communications ratios decreased, suggesting conservation and/or unwillingness (inability) of team members to sustain performance. Thus, simulation of an actual Army team task provides a framework for validating biomedical indices. The impact of biomedical, behavioral, biochemical, and social changes can be demonstrated by relating them to FDC operational indices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 20, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA112892
Entities
People
- James W. Stokes
- L. E. Banderet
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine