Digital Battlefield Training and Insights of a User: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,

Abstract

NTC Rotation 94-07 provided the Army with a superb support-by-fire position from which to overwatch the final push on Objective Force XXI. We all learned a great number of lessons, many the hard way. If we re surprised again during future digital advances, it's our own fault. Danger lies in overlooking or disregarding some of those lessons learned. The author had the great fortune to serve as S3 of Task Force 1-70 during the preparations for and execution of 94-07. As such, he was privy to a close-up, hands-on opportunity to experience first-hand the CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS of current digital combat technology. This article attempts to pass on those insights for consideration by future "digital" combat leaders. Many of the recent articles focusing on digital operations and lessons learned were written by soldiers with second-hand or observer experience. While such warfighter insights are significant in their contributions, none, repeat none have fought a digital tank white trying to facilitate the command and control of a task force. It's time that experienced users speak out. Our Army is about to cross the line of departure from testing and experimentation to a real world digital combat capability by fielding our first MlA2 battalion next summer. This makes it even more compelling to highlight digital capabilities and, even more importantly, limitations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1995
Accession Number
ADA323337

Entities

People

  • O. T. Edwards Iii

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Battlefields
  • Combat Operations
  • Command And Control
  • Digital Communications
  • Fire Support
  • Land Navigation
  • Leadership
  • Lessons Learned
  • Maneuvers
  • Navigation
  • Observation
  • Rotation
  • Simulations
  • Situational Awareness
  • Task Forces
  • Voice Communications
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Military Training and Readiness Simulation

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control