Thesis (M.S. in Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulations (MOVES))--Naval Postgraduate School, Sept. 2004. / Thesis Advisor(s): Rudy Darken. Includes bibliographical references (p. 77-79, 81). Also available online.

Thesis (M.S. in Operations Research)--Naval Postgraduate School, 2005. / Title from title screen (viewed Jan. 31, 2006). "June 2005." Includes bibliographical references (p. 89-90). Also issued in paper format.

Thesis (M.S. in Operations Research)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2005. / Thesis Advisor(s): Thomas W. Lucas, Richard Spainhour. Includes bibliographical references (p. 89-90). Also available online.

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / This thesis examines the effectiveness of the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer (ISMT) as a tool to train shooters in the fundamentals of marksmanship. Key concepts explored in the research are verification of skills transfer resulting from practice and the predictive value of simulated performance to proficiency at real task performance. There was no statistical difference in the scores of recruits trained in the ISMT versus a control group that was not trained in the ISMT. Scores on simulated firing were not a strong predictor of live fire performance. In a second experiment subjects were evaluated on their proficiency and improvement during un-coached practice at the task of simulated precision fire on a target at a simulated known distance of 300 yards from the shooters. After comparable amounts of practice in the ISMT, subjects who had not previously received formal marksmanship training failed to demonstrate levels of proficiency comparable to those subjects who had previously received formal marksmanship training in the military. Consequently, the research found no evidence to suggest the ISMT qualifies as a black box training apparatus capable of imparting skill through practice without the added presence of expert instruction or an existing knowledge of marksmanship techniques. / Major, United States Marine Corps

How does body armor and posture affect Soldier marksmanship? The Interceptor Body Armor (IBA) has significantly improved Soldier combat survivability, but in what ways does it change rifleman lethality? Moreover, can we model these effects so as to develop better tactics and operational plans? This study quantifies the effects of Soldier equipment on lethality through multi-factor logistic regression using data from range experiments with the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized), at Fort Riley, Kansas. The designed experiment of this study estimates the probability of a qualified US rifleman hitting a human target. It uses the rifleman's equipment, posture, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), and experience along with the target's distance, time exposure and silhouette presentation as input factors. The resulting family of mathematical models provides a Probability of Hit prediction tailored to a shooter-target scenario. The study shows that for targets closer than 150 meters, Soldiers shot better while wearing body armor than they did without. Body armor had a negative effect for targets farther than 200 meters, and this could significantly impact the employment of the Squad Designated Marksman. The study also shows that the kneeling posture is an effective technique and recommends standardized training on this method of firing.