Assessing Situation Awareness in Field Training Exercises
Abstract
The Mission Awareness Rating Scale (MARS) and the Situation Awareness Behavioral Rating Scale (SABARS) are metrics designed to assess situation awareness (SA) among infantry soldiers and their leaders. MARS is a subjective self-assessment device and SABARS involves expert observer-controllers evaluating a target soldier on SA-related behaviors. The purpose of the current study was to field test both metrics in a field training exercise. Eight cadet platoon leaders and eight cadet squad leaders participating in summer cadet field training at the U.S. Military Academy completed the MARS instrument and received SABARS evaluations from observer-controllers following the completion of an assault mission. Results indicated that platoon leaders rated their SA higher than did squad leaders on the MARS instrument and that higher-order SA was rated as more difficult than lower- order SA. SABARS ratings did not differ as a function of leader position, but the global SABARS SA item was a strong predictor of ratings of individual performance. Finally, SABARS was rated by the observer-controllers as easy to use and relevant to assessing SA in the field. Both MARS and SABARS show promise of applicability to assessing SA in field settings.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA408560
Entities
People
- Michael D. Matthews
- Scott A. Beal
Organizations
- United States Military Academy