PC-Based Training to Improve Infantry Situation Awareness
Abstract
It is widely recognized that Situation Awareness, SA, provides the foundation for decision making and action for Infantry warfighters. Recent research has investigated differences in SA between experienced and inexperienced officers, as well as areas of SA deficits. This Infantry Situation Awareness Training research program marks an initial effort to train Infantry warfighters in the skills necessary for developing superior battlefield SA. A two-module training program targeted at Infantry Platoon Leaders was developed. The SA Planner teaches time management and task prioritization skills, while the SA Trainer focuses more globally on developing knowledge bases and understanding the information requirements necessary to develop SA. Validation testing was conducted by giving the SA Trainer to a group of Royal Norwegian Naval cadets prior to combat fatigue exercises. Results show that trained cadets were more likely to correctly refuse to attack a civilian refugee camp than untrained cadets. In addition, trained cadets indicated that they had to spend more mental effort developing higher-order SA and determining how to best meet their goals. Even with minimal time, some training effects were found.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA425351
Entities
People
- D. K. Birch
- John Hyatt
- Justus P. Reynolds
- Laura D. Strater
- Laurie A. Faulkner