I__. - International Military Testing Association

Transfer of Training with Networked Simulators'
David W. Bessemer
U.S. Army Research Institute
Field Unit-Fort Knox, Fort Knox, Kentucky
The Armor Officer Basic (AOB) Course in the Fort Knox Armor
School includes three weeks of tactical instruction followed by
ten days of Mounted Tactical Training (MTT) in the field. During
MTT, students rotate among tank crew and unit leader positions as
they perform platoon mission exercises. Late in 1988, two days
of similar training in networked tank simulators were added just
before the MTT. Additional platoon movement training using
wheeled vehicles also began with the next class after simulator
training started. These changes set up a quasi-experimental
comparison between basel.ine classes that graduated before the
changes and later classes that received added training. Student
records provided performance measures in an interrupted timeseries
design (Cook & Campbell, 1979) that permitted transfer
from simulator training to field performance to be assessed.
The simulator networking (SIMNET) system used for the AOB
training was produced as a test-bed for Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency R &I D on technologies capable of large-scale
interactive simulation of land combat. Training devices using
these technologies could provide increased collective training
for units, while reducing factors such as cost, time, and maneuver
space that now restrict combined arms training. However,
unit training in simulators must be shown to be effective to
justify further development and acquisition of networked simulator
training devices. Evidence supporting the effectiveness of
SIMNET training for some platoon tasks was obtained in a test
with a small number of units (Gound 61 Schwab, 1988). Results
reported here supplement the previous findings by specifically
examining officer training for platoon leadership. An important
issue in interpreting the results was whether SIMNET training
caused the observed effects or if other factors contributed, such
as the added wheeled vehicle training.
Samole
Method
One group of 1098 students were enrolled in 24 AOB classes
graduating in a 68 week baseline period. Another group of 607
students were from 12 later classes in a 33 week period after
tactical training in SIMNET was added to the course. There were
one to five student platoons in a class, adding up to 71 platoons
'The views , opinions, and findings contained in this paper
are those of the author, and should not be construed as the
official position of the U.S. Army Research Institute or as an
official Department of the Army position, policy, or decision.
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