Designing Soldier Systems

Designing Soldier Systems
Author: John Martin
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 505
Release: 2018-05-20
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1317152077

This book focuses on contemporary human factors issues within the design of soldier systems and describes how they are currently being investigated and addressed by the U.S. Army to enhance soldier performance and effectiveness. Designing Soldier Systems approaches human factors issues from three main perspectives. In the first section, Chapters 1-5 focus on complexity introduced by technology, its impact on human performance, and how issues are being addressed to reduce cognitive workload. In the second section, Chapters 6-10 concentrate on obstacles imposed by operational and environmental conditions on the battlefield and how they are being mitigated through the use of technology. The third section, Chapters 11-21, is dedicated to system design and evaluation including the tools, techniques and technologies used by researchers who design soldier systems to overcome human physical and cognitive performance limitations as well as the obstacles imposed by environmental and operations conditions that are encountered by soldiers. The book will appeal to an international multidisciplinary audience interested in the design and development of systems for military use, including defense contractors, program management offices, human factors engineers, human system integrators, system engineers, and computer scientists. Relevant programs of study include those in human factors, cognitive science, neuroscience, neuroergonomics, psychology, training and education, and engineering.

Six Myths about Digital Skills Training

Six Myths about Digital Skills Training
Author: Brooke B. Schaab
Publisher:
Total Pages: 38
Release: 2001
Genre: Digital computer simulation
ISBN:

"Soldiers entering the U.S. Army today encounter an array of weapons, equipment, and technologies that require information-age, digital skills. As these unique digital systems evolve, trainers are challenged to prepare soldiers to leverage these systems to meet complex and sometimes unanticipated, missions. In order to gain a better understanding of digital skill training, one group of soldiers was followed for almost a year as they experienced Advanced Individual Training, New Equipment Training, and unit training that covered one major hardware/software change and three software upgrades. Findings are based on observations, surveys, and performance on practical exercises. Results identify several misperceptions regarding the acquisition of digital skills and recommendations for modifying training to improve skill acquisition and transfer. For example, digital skills may not be highly perishable. Soldiers retain what they learned during Advanced Individual Training for at least three- to-four months, but many encounter difficulty in transferring what they have learned to a different problem setting. Training that engages the soldier by embedding the experience in a real-world context that requires active problem solving can enhance transfer."--DTIC.

Fundamental Issues in Defense Training and Simulation

Fundamental Issues in Defense Training and Simulation
Author: George Galanis
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 236
Release: 2017-05-15
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1317131371

Defense forces have always invested a great deal of their resources in training. In recent times, changes in the complexity and intensity of operations have reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that warfighters are adequately prepared for the environments in which they are required to work. The emergence of new operational drivers such as asymmetric threats, urban operations, joint and coalition operations and the widespread use of military communications and information technology networks has highlighted the importance of providing warfighters with the competencies required to act in a coordinated, adaptable fashion, and to make effective decisions in environments characterized by large amounts of sometimes ambiguous information. While investment in new technologies can make available new opportunities for action, it is only through effective training that personnel can be made ready to apply their tools in the most decisive and discriminating fashion. There are many factors which can have an impact on the efficacy of training and many issues to consider when designing and implementing training strategies. These issues are often complex and nuanced, and in order to grasp them fully a significant investment of time and energy is required. However, the requirement to respond quickly to ever-changing technology, a high operational tempo and minimal staffing may preclude many in today's defense forces from seeking out all such resources on their own. This edited collection provides brief, easy-to-understand summaries of the key issues in defense training and simulation, as well as guidance for further reading. It consists of a collection of short essays, each of which addresses a fundamental issue in defense training and simulation, and features an up-to-date reference list to enable the reader to undertake further investigation of the issues addressed. In essence, this book provides the optimum starting point, or first resource, for readers to come to terms with the important issues associated with defense training and simulation. The contributions are written by leading scholars from military research institutions in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as selected researchers from academic and private sector research institutions.

The PSI Handbook of Virtual Environments for Training and Education

The PSI Handbook of Virtual Environments for Training and Education
Author: Joseph V. Cohn
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 1441
Release: 2008-11-30
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 031335166X

The increasingly complex environment of the 21st century demands unprecedented knowledge, skills and abilities for people from all walks of life. One powerful solution that blends the science of learning with the technological advances of computing is Virtual Environments. In the United States alone, the Department of Defense has invested billions of dollars over the past decade to make this field and its developments as effective as possible. This 3-volume work provides, for the first time, comprehensive coverage of the many different domains that must be integrated for Virtual Environments to fully provide effective training and education. The first volume is dedicated to a thorough understanding of learning theory, requirements definition and performance measurement, providing insight into the human-centric specifications the VE must satisfy to succeed. Volume II provides the latest information on VE component technologies, and Volume III offers discussion of an extensive collection of integrated systems presented as VE use-cases, and results of effectiveness evaluation studies. The text includes emerging directions of this evolving technology, from cognitive rehabilitation to the next generation of museum exhibitions. Finally, the handbook offers a glimpse into the future with this fascinating technology. This groundbreaking set will interest students, scholars and researchers in the fields of military science, technology, computer science, business, law enforcement, cognitive psychology, education and health. Topics addressed include guidance and interventions using VE as a teaching tool, what to look for in terms of human-centered systems and components, and current training uses in the Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines. Game-based and long distance training are explained, as are particular challenges such as the emergence of VE sickness. Chapters also highlight the combination of VE and cybernetics, robotics and artificial intelligence.

Human Factors in Simulation and Training

Human Factors in Simulation and Training
Author: Peter A. Hancock
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 470
Release: 2008-12-17
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 1420072846

Discussing issues and concepts relating to human factors in simulation, this book covers theory and application in fields such as space, ships, submarines, naval aviation, and commercial aviation. The authors develop and expand on concepts in simulator usage particularly specific characteristics and issues of simulation and their effect on the validity and functionality of simulators as a training device. The chapters contain in depth discussions of these particular characteristics and issues. They also incorporate theories pertaining to the motivational aspects of training, simulation of social events, and PC based simulation.

Preparing and Training for the Full Spectrum of Military Challenges

Preparing and Training for the Full Spectrum of Military Challenges
Author: David Eugene Johnson
Publisher: Rand Corporation
Total Pages: 315
Release: 2009
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0833047817

"The difficult and continually evolving operations in Iraq and Afghanistan show the complexities of what is now termed irregular warfare and highlight the need for new approaches to the security challenges with which the United States is now contending and will likely confront in the future. The research reported in this monograph focused on answering a rather straightforward, but thus far largely unanswered, question: What can the U.S. military learn from other militaries about how better to prepare for full-spectrum operations and deployments? To this end, RAND was asked by the OSD for Personnel and Readiness to examine the militaries of China, France, the UK, India, and Israel."--P. xiii.

Beyond Training: The Rise of Adult Education in the Military

Beyond Training: The Rise of Adult Education in the Military
Author: Jeffrey Zacharakis
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 118
Release: 2012-12-17
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1118616456

Widen your view of adult education by learning how it is applied by the nation’s largest adult education provider: the military. Woven through this issue is the common thread of sound adult education practice. Addressing applications specific to the military but relevant to civilian providers, it highlight the importance of developing the critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for military leaders in an increasingly complex world. Chapters also address the intersection of higher education and particular military populations, including civilian employees, active-duty personnel, veterans, and spouses. Finally, the sourcebook provides a glimpse into the future of both military education and adult education, highlighting the increasing bond between the two and their growing importance in the lifelong education of all Americans. This is 136th volume of the Jossey-Bass quarterly report series New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education. Noted for its depth of coverage, it explores issues of common interest to instructors, administrators, counselors, and policymakers in a broad range of settings, such as colleges and universities, extension programs, businesses, libraries, and museums.

Training for Adaptability and Transfer on Digital Systems

Training for Adaptability and Transfer on Digital Systems
Author: Brooke B. Schaab
Publisher:
Total Pages: 98
Release: 2001
Genre: Digital computer simulation
ISBN:

"Today's soldiers are being trained to use digital systems to enhance duty performance. This research compared training digital skills to entry-level, enlisted soldiers by the conventional method to training by a constructivist method The constructivist method actively engages soldiers by using realistic vignettes as training tools to acquire and integrate knowledge of the digital system and the military Job. After seven days of training, soldiers trained by both methods were asked to complete: (1) a practical exercise requiring application of their training in an unfamiliar vignette, and (2) the current schoolhouse exam. No difference was found between the conventional training methods and the constructivist method on the current schoolhouse exam. Soldiers trained using the constructivist method were more successful In applying their training to solve unfamiliar problems and reported lower levels of workload. The constructivist training method was shown to improve soldiers' adaptation and application of their training to unfamiliar situations."--DTIC.