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Marines' virtual training offers varying trade-offs
Government Computer News ^ | 12 May 2008 | David F. Carr

Posted on 05/18/2008 3:27:56 AM PDT by COBOL2Java

Live training and full-scale war games are ideal ways to test physical reflexes and give military trainees hands-on experience with equipment in the real world. However, increasingly various forms of computer-based training, including desktop software applications and full-room simulated environments, provide alternative learning opportunities.

"We really believe there are certain skills you can train at each level of fidelity," said Denise Nicholson, director of the Applied Cognition and Training in Immersive Virtual Environments lab at the University of Central Florida. UCF is conducting research on the next version of the Marine Corps' Deployable Virtual Training Environment (DVTE).

The corps has a simulation program called the Infantry Immersive Trainer that allows Marines to practice tactics in a soundstage-like mock-up -- a Baghdad street corner, for example -- featuring live role-players and computer-simulated effects, such as explosions projected on the walls. It's something like a serious version of laser tag blending computer simulation with physical action.

An advantage of DVTE and other laptop PC-based training tools is their relative low cost, portability and versatility. People can train with DVTE at pre-deployment staging zones or in the field. At other times, it can serve as a fallback trainer when a scheduled live-training exercise is canceled, Nicholson said. The tool's versatility lets officials use it in conjunction with live training. For example, soldiers might use DVTE to act out a scenario in the virtual world before they are asked to do it in the real world, Nicholson said. "Marines have a limited amount of time for training, so you'd hate to have the first hour, half-day or even day wasted on the basics."

The Marines have created detailed terrain maps in DVTE for locations such as their Twentynine Palms, Calif., training facility. Soldiers can get to know its layout in the virtual world before going there in person, said Maj. James McDonough, the Marines' DVTE program officer.

More important, maps of places in Iraq such as Fallujah can be loaded into the system. "You'd like the street corner to look exactly like the one that guy is going to be patrolling," McDonough said.

There are routines and procedures for Marines to train on, such as the order in which members of a squad should enter a building controlled by hostile forces or the list of things to do after being hit by an improvised explosive device. Such actions might include applying first aid and calling for evacuation.

"Decision-making is absolutely key, and if they go through that decision over and over, they should be able to come to the right decision much quicker," McDonough said.


TOPICS: Extended News; Government; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: it; simulators; training; usmc

1 posted on 05/18/2008 3:27:57 AM PDT by COBOL2Java
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To: COBOL2Java
It would seem convenient to al Qaeda, previously linked to UCF
[ UCF funded by Al Qaeda linked IIIT for Islamic chair "to promote Islamisation of knowlege" refuses to cancel Islamofacist event]
to have access to the Marines' virtual planning and Decision-making processes.

How fortunate for them, that our government continues to willingly allow
Islamic terrorists in, and even into it.

2 posted on 05/18/2008 3:40:17 AM PDT by Diogenesis (Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum)
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To: COBOL2Java

“We really believe there are certain skills you can train at each level of fidelity,” . . . .
Denise can you prove any skills are learned at any level? If you really believe instead of simply believing does that mean that it’s so?
All all skills learned at some level?
Laptop combat skills aren’t worth the laptop they aren’t learned on.


3 posted on 05/18/2008 5:41:02 AM PDT by em2vn
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To: Diogenesis; 1stbn27; 2111USMC; 2nd Bn, 11th Mar; 68 grunt; A.A. Cunningham; ASOC; AirForceBrat23; ..

Ping to the article and to Digenesis’ post and link.


4 posted on 05/18/2008 6:35:27 AM PDT by freema (Proud Marine Niece, Daughter, Wife, Friend, Sister, Cousin, Mom and FRiend)
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To: COBOL2Java

Nothing in this virtual training will train the men and women for the satisfying smell of naplam or the taste of cordite.


5 posted on 05/18/2008 7:39:35 AM PDT by B4Ranch
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To: freema

Thanks for the ping. Will file post for later reading.


6 posted on 05/18/2008 12:15:40 PM PDT by Marine_Uncle (Duncan Hunter was our best choice...)
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