The objective of this research is to inform the design of dynamic interfaces to optimize unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operator reliance on automation. A broad goal of the U.S. military is to improve the ratio of UAV operators to UAVs controlled. Accomplishing this goal requires the use of automation; however, the benefits of automation are jeopardized without appropriate operator reliance. To improve reliance on automation, this effort sought to accomplish several objectives organized into phases. The first phase aimed to validate metrics that could be used to gauge operator fatigue online, to understand how the reliability of automated systems influences subjective and objective responses, and to understand how the impact of automation reliability changes with different levels of fatigue. To that end, this study employed a multiple UAV simulation containing several tasks. Findings for a challenging Image Analysis task indicated a decrease in accuracy and reliance with time. Both accuracy and reliance were lower with an unreliable automated decision making aid (60% reliability) than with a reliable automated decision making aid (86.7% reliability). Further, a significant interaction indicated that reliance diminished more quickly when the automated aid was less reliable. Concerning the identification of possible eye tracking measures for fatigue, metrics for percentage of eye closure (PERCLOS), blinks, fixations, and dwell time registered changes with time on task. Fixation metrics registered reliability differences. The second phase sought to use outcomes from the first phase to build two algorithms, based on eye tracking, to drive continuous diagnostic monitoring, one simple and another complex. These algorithms were intended to diagnose the passive fatigue state of UAV operators and used subjective task engagement as the dependent variable. The simple algorithm used PERCLOS and total dwell time within the automated tasking area. The complex algorithm added percent of cognitive fixations and frequency of express fixations. The complex algorithm successfully predicted task engagement, primarily on the strength of percentage of cognitive fixations and express fixation frequency metrics.

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) are the greatest casualty producing and costly weapon system employed by the enemy on the asymmetric battlefield of today. Despite Billions of dollars spent on technological devices to counter the IED threat, IEDs are still responsible for roughly 50% of battlefield casualties. A tremendous amount of effort and resource has and continues to be levied in the pursuit of a technological solution to the IED problem. By contrast, little research has been done on Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) procedures. This paper explores the potential of CIED procedures as a casualty reduction mechanism by comparing two observed tactical procedures used in patrolling convoy routes.

Operational Adaptability is a vital characteristic identified by senior Army leaders in today's military force. The U.S. Army is struggling with the definition and training of operational adaptability at the tactical level. In order to be a critical enhancement to the operational mission, operational adaptability needs to be trained through a training model that supports current U.S. Army doctrine. To develop a base foundation of operational adaptability, Soldiers must train as a collective unit in a simulated operational environment in order to apply characteristics of operational adaptability.

Despite their many successes, Roman leaders continually struggled with indiscipline in their own ranks as they battled Rome's opponents. Desertion and defection were steps that soldiers often undertook to avoid their obligated service. Previous scholarship has largely overlooked this aspect of Roman warfare. This dissertation analyzes why Roman soldiers began turning to desertion and defection throughout the Republican period. Such cases were generally rare in early Rome, but the expanding responsibilities and hardships of warfare in the Middle Republic caused them to rise, as did the sizeable growth of the Roman community. The civil wars of the Late Republic saw especially high cases of such acts, as generals incentivized defections in their opponents ranks. Roman desertion was not unique, but a common occurrence in ancient warfare. This dissertation also addresses how Romans capitalized on desertion and defection in warfare. The Second Punic War offers an example of how Rome achieved victory by encouraging defection in its enemy's alliances. Romans also relied heavily on defectors as a source of intelligence and as a tool in siege warfare. The moral forces of commitment, discipline, dissatisfaction, and desertion were often as important as the tactics and technologies of the participants in Rome's wars.

No abstract provided. / Thesis / Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The military has used simulations to train Soldiers for several decades. Army Commanders use live, virtual and constructive training to prepare troops for combat and to improve their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) skillset. During training and other military operations, the Army Battle Command Systems (ABCS) provide Army commanders with a Common Operational Picture (COP) which typically includes a real-time status of personnel, supplies, munitions, and equipment. In 2016, the Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM) divested the Battle Command Sustainment Support System (BCS3) due to data latency issues. The sustainment Warfighting Function (WfF) used BCS3 as a dual-purpose system for real world operations and constructive simulation training events. The same year, the Army also streamlined its Joint Land Component Constructive Training Capability (JLCCTC) to reduce costs further limiting the usefulness of JLCCTC to train sustainment units. This study considers the suitability of the Division Exercise Training and Review System (DXTRS) to fill the sustainment training gap. A combination of face to face and telephonic interviews are conducted with Soldiers and select Department of Defense (DoD) contractors to determine the appropriateness of DXTRS for sustainment training. Interview questions designed using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) are used to measure DXTRS version 1.06 suitability as a sustainment training tool. Inductive thematic content analysis is used to analyze the interview transcripts and provide findings, conclusions, and recommend future research.

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