This paper examines the theory and design considerations of effective learning applications built with Augmented Reality (AR) to better prepare Basic Combat training candidates for the tasks and stressors associated with training. The research questions focused on the evaluation of learning outcomes, emotional experiences, and transfer results compared between traditional multimedia material and a multimodal AR application designed and developed for this study. A primary interest is to discover if informal learning can prime basic training candidates for the rigors of basic training and increase their successful completion. A mixed-methods, between-subject research design was executed as a pilot study (n = 10). Two groups were compared. The control group (n = 5) represented the standard educational practices that use-multimedia slides and the experimental group (n = 5) introduced a novel-AR App. A variety of instruments were used to measure declarative knowledge, conceptual knowledge, procedural task knowledge, and emotional states, followed by a time delayed transfer test on the same outcomes. Results that were evaluated using non-parametric statistics show there are no statistical differences in actual learning or transfer between the two groups but that there are strong trends in perceived learning, perceived stress, homesickness, rankings regarding the utility of AR, and subjective evaluation (immersion, engagement, and perceived learning). Interesting correlations were found to be different between the AR and the control conditions that may inform the use of technology in training applications and design. Qualitative data was gathered using interviews, think-aloud protocols, and field notes. This quantitative data combined iv with qualitative evidence supports further study with an increased sample size to better evaluate immersive learning application design.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 28-31, 1996 / Town and Country Hotel and Convention Center, San Diego, California / This paper discusses Global Positioning System (GPS) Range Applications Joint Program Office (RAJPO) efforts to foster interoperability between airborne instrumentation, virtual simulators, and constructive simulations using Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS). In the past, the testing and training communities developed separate airborne instrumentation systems primarily because available technology couldn't encompass both communities' requirements. As budgets get smaller, as requirements merge, and as technology advances, the separate systems can be used interoperably and possibly merged to meet common requirements. Using DIS to bridge the gap between the RAJPO test instrumentation system and the Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) training systems provides a defacto system-level interoperable interface while giving both communities the added benefits of interaction with the modeling and simulation world. The RAJPO leads the test community in using DIS. RAJPO instrumentation has already supported training exercises such as Roving Sands 95, Warfighter 95, and Combat Synthetic Test, Training, and Assessment Range (STTAR) and major tests such as the Joint Advanced Distributed Simulation (JADS) Joint Test and Evaluation (JT&E) program. Future efforts may include support of Warrior Flag 97 and upgrading the Nellis No-Drop Bomb Scoring Ranges. These exercises, combining the use of DIS and RAJPO instrumentation to date, demonstrate how a single airborne system can be used successfully to support both test and training requirements. The Air Combat Training System (ACTS) Program plans to build interoperability through DIS into existing and future ACMI systems. The RAJPO is committed to fostering interoperable airborne instrumentation systems as well as interfaces to virtual and constructive systems in the modeling and simulation world. This interoperability will provide a highly realistic combat training and test synthetic environment enhancing the military's ability to train its warfighters and test its advanced weapon systems.

XX a. 3-iajame dešimtmetyje Lietuvos kariuomenės kovinio rengimo įgyvendinimui buvo naudojamas Varėnos poligonas, kurio buvo atsisakyta 1931 m. įsteigus Gaižiūnų poligoną. Pastarasis poligonas buvo įkurtas Vyriausiojo štabo viršininko gen. št. plk. P. Kubiliūno ir kariuomenės inspektoriaus plk. O. Urbono pastangomis. Netoli nuo Jonavos miesto steigiamam poligonui reikalingi žemės plotai buvo išperkami iš privačių savininkų pagal specialiai tam parengtus įstatymus, kurių įgyvendinimas buvo vykdomas per visą poligono funkcionavimo laikotarpį. Įkūrus Gaižiūnų poligoną buvo suformuota administracinė įstaiga – poligono komendantūra, užtikrinusi karinės teritorijos tinkamą funkcionavimą ir priežiūrą. Karinių pratybų laikotarpiu, kuris buvo skiriamas gegužės – rugsėjo mėnesiais, poligone veikė jo vadovybė ir štabas, atlikę organizacines pratybų funkcijas. Gaižiūnų poligono įrengimo darbai buvo orientuoti į teritorijos parengimą vadovaujančio personalo darbui ir karių gyvenimo sąlygų sudarymą bei pritaikymą karinių pratybų vykdymui. Atsižvelgiant į tai, poligono teritorijoje buvo atliekami medžių kirtimo ir žemės drenavimo darbai, susisiekimo infrastruktūros sutvarkymas, buvusių pastatų remontas bei naujų įvairios paskirties pastatų statyba buvo įrenginėjamos šaudyklos. Šie poligono įrengimo darbai buvo atliekami per visą Gaižiūnų poligono funkcionavimo laikotarpį, t. y. iki 1939 m. spalio 31 d., kuomet patvirtinus poligono perleidimą Sovietų Sąjungos kariams, buvo nurodyta poligono... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / “Gaižiūnai firing range of the first army of the Republic of Lithuania in 1930–1939” Varėna firing range was used to realization of combat training of Lithuanian army in the 3rd decade of XX century. It was refused in 1939 when Gaižiūnai firing range was established. It was founded by chief of staff general colonel P. Kubiliūnas and army inspector colonel O. Urbonas. The necessary territories for near Jonava city founded range were redeemed from private owners by special prepared law implementation of which was filled during whole period of working of firing range. Founding the Gaižiūnai firing range an administrative office – commandant headquarter of firing range vouchsafed the right working and supervision of military territory. In period of military exercises which was named in May – September, command and staff operated in range which performed functions of organizational exercises. Installation work of Gaižiūnai firing range was oriented to preparation of territory for work of managing staff, making of living conditions of soldiers and fitting of military exercises. In this context deforestation, land drainage works, transaction of transport infrastructure, repair of previous buildings and construction of new buildings of various purposes and shooting-ranges were made in the territory of range. The installation work was made during whole period of working of Gaižiūnai range until the 31st of October 1939, when transfer of range to Soviet soldiers was confirmed, it was... [to full text]

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The attrition rate of enlistees in basic combat training is of particular concern to all Branches of the military due to the high cost associated with recruiting and training a new enlistee. Each year the military loses hundreds of millions of dollars invested in enlistees whom never make it to their first duty station. Investigators have extensively examined the impact of physiological injuries on the rate of enlistee discharge from basic combat training. Also, investigators have reported that alcoholism, adjustment disorders, mood disorders, and personality disorders were among the leading hospital discharge diagnostic categories for enlistees during the 1990s; especially, within the first six-months of service. Additionally, investigators have reported that the transition process from civilian to military in basic combat training tends to be very stressful and anxiety provoking for enlistees. However, little data has been gathered to assess the relationship of enlistees' physiological and perceived stress levels and their attrition rate. A study was conducted of 155 soldiers during their nine-week basic combat training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Salivary amylase testing was used as an objective measure of physiological stress, and the Multiple Affects Adjective CheckList Revised (MACCL-R) was use as a subjective measure of perceived stress. It was hypothesized that enlistees with higher levels of stress would also have a higher level of depression and hostility resulting in performance degradation. The results of linear regression analyses and multivariate pairwise correlation showed a statistically significant positive relationship among perceived stress, hostility and depression levels. Additionally, the analyses showed that for the soldiers participating in this study, coping style moderated their perceived stress experience. Those participants who were able to modify their coping mechanism to meet the physically and mentally demanding challenges of basic combat training tended to be more confident in successfully completing training. Moreover, they were less likely to receive disciplinary action. The military training command has requested follow up studies to expand upon this current study to encompass the various training cycles over a one-year time period. / Ph. D.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown a high injury rate in the lower extremities among military recruits. A correlation has been shown between female gender or a low level of physical activity prior to basic military training and a higher risk of injury. AIM: To investigate the self-reported injury rate in the lower extremities among Swedish recruits and the difference in injury rate between men and women. Another aim was to investigate correlation between self-reported injury rate in the lower extremities and self-reported physical activity, and to study this correlation for both men and women. METHOD: A quantitative study with a prospective, descriptive, comparative and correlative design. Data from two different questionnaires were answered by 177 recruits. RESULTS: 26% of the recruits reported injury in lower extremities after completing the basic training. There was a significant difference (p=0.006) in self-reported injury between female and male recruits. The level of prior physical activity and the injury rate amongst the recruits had a low correlation. CONCLUSION: The results indicate a high injury rate among Swedish recruits, especially among the female recruits. No correlation between self-reported physical activity and the injury rate in lower extremities was found. / BAKGRUND: Tidigare studier visar på hög skadeprevalens i nedre extremiteter hos militära rekryter under grundläggande militär utbildning. Samband har setts mellan kvinnligt kön eller låg fysisk aktivitetsnivå före utbildningsstart och ökad skaderisk. SYFTE: Undersöka den självrapporterade skade-/besvärsprevalensen i nedre extremitet hos svenska rekryter efter avslutad grundläggande militär utbildning (GMU), samt studera skillnader mellan könen i detta avseende. Syftet var också att undersöka sambandet mellan självrapporterad fysisk aktivitetsnivå inför GMU och skade-/besvärsprevalensen i nedre extremiteter efter genomförd utbildning samt studera sambandet för män respektive kvinnor. METOD: En kvantitativ studie med prospektiv, deskriptiv, komparativ och korrelerande design. Data från två olika enkäter besvarades av 177 rekryter. RESULTAT: 26% av rekryterna rapporterade skada/besvär i nedre extremitet vid avslutad utbildning. Signifikant skillnad (p=0,006) kunde ses i självrapporterad skade-/besvärsprevalens mellan kvinnliga (42%) och manliga (21%) rekryter. Nivå av fysisk aktivitet och skade-/besvärsprevalensen hos rekryterna hade inget signifikant samband och låg korrelation. KONKLUSION: Resultaten tyder på hög skadeprevalens inom GMU, framförallt hos kvinnliga rekryter. Något samband mellan självskattad nivå av fysisk aktivitetsnivå och skade-/besvärsprevalens i nedre extremitet fanns inte hos rekryterna. Sambandet fanns varken för män eller kvinnor på gruppnivå.

Saab Training Systems är ett företag i Saab-koncernen som utvecklar, tillverkar och marknadsför produkter för militär utbildning. Ett av de centrala systemen i företagets produktportfölj är det instrumenterade stridsträningskonceptet GAMER, i vilket soldater kan öva dubbelsidig träning samtidigt som övningsledningen via ett centralt styrsystem kan övervaka och interagera i övningsförloppet. I och med den övergång som skett i många av världens försvarsmakter, från ett tungt territorialförsvar till ett välutbildat insatsförsvar har kraven på den enskilda soldatens förmågor höjts avsevärt. Samtidigt har det även skett en övergång gällande den generella hotbilden, från att tidigare ha utgjorts av en annan militärmakt, till paramilitära grupperingar som ofta bedriver en gerillaliknande krigsföring. Dessa två faktorer innebär att även förutsättningarna för soldatutbildningen har förändrats. Som ett led i anpassningen till dessa förändringar utreds i denna rapport möjligheterna att utveckla soldaternas audiella upplevelse i GAMER. Detta för att skapa ökade förutsättningar för en komplett upplevelsebaserad inlärning, som inte bara övar soldatens förmåga att använda sig av den taktiska information som ljudbilden förmedlar, utan även förbereder soldaterna på bästa sätt för den främmande miljö som dagens militära insatser ofta innebär. Inledningsvis genomförs en ljudcentrerad användningsfallsanalys av en uppsättning grundläggande övningsscenarion. Genom denna analys skapas en uppfattning om vilka ljud som är önskvärt att kunna reproducera i ett träningssystem. Detta jämförs sedan med de ljudåtergivningsfunktioner som redan finns i GAMER för att därmed kunna utröna vilka kompletterande ljudåtergivningsfunktioner som skulle vara önskvärt att införa i systemet. För att skapa maximala förutsättningar för en sådan vidareutveckling genomförs även en aktör-nätverksanalys på det sociotekniska nätverk som GAMER är en del av. Detta ökar möjligheten att framställa en produkt som inte bara är en teknikdeterministisk härledning, utan även tar hänsyn till faktorer som utvecklings- och produktionskostnad, intern know-how, kundkrav och konkurrenssituationen. Slutligen presenteras ett förslag för den fortsatta utvecklingen, som tagits fram utifrån de explicita och implicita krav som identifierats i analysprocessen. Lösningen som förordas är ett dynamiskt ljudstyrsystem som med indata från redan existerande funktioner i GAMER kan projicera artificiella ljudkällor på övningsområdet. Detta åstadkoms med ljudkanaler på fasta positioner på övningsområdet från vilka ljudkällorna reproduceras genom användning av vedertagen ljudåtergivningsteori. I förslaget ingår även en egenkonstruerad vidareutveckling av stereopanoreringstekniken vilken möjliggör ljudåtergivning för multipla rörliga övningsdeltagare. / The aim of this thesis is to investigate the possibilities to extend the use of artificial sound in the GAMER Combat Training System. This in order to enhance the experience based learning, which in turn will result in a better preparation for live missions and also increase the commercial value of the training system. The study is executed through a use case analysis of a set of basic urban combat training exercises to establish which sounds are desired to reproduce a realistic training environment. The result of the use case analysis is then compared with the present audio functionality of the system in order to determine which functions are in need of improvement or to be added. To create optimal conditions for the implementation of an enhanced audio functionality, further an actor-network theory based analysis was conducted on the socio-technical network surrounding the GAMER system. By doing this, not only the technical aspects was taken account for, but also factors s such as customer needs, internal interests and competing companies which all are certain to have an impact of the developmental process and thereby the success of the outcome. Finally an outline is presented for the continued development, which is compiled from the explicit and implicit requirements identified in the empirical analysis. The proposed solution is a dynamic audio control system which uses already existing input functions in order to project artificial sound sources on arbitrary positions within the training area. The projections are produced from static audio channels placed on strategic positions, using well-recognized theories for spatial sound restoration. The proposition also includes a further development of the stereo panning theory to enable realistic sound projections for multiple mobile exercise participants.

System dynamics modelling has been used for around 40 years to address complex, systemic, dynamic problems, those often described as wicked. But, system dynamics modelling is not an exact science and arguments about the most suitable techniques to use in which circumstances, continues. The nature of these wicked problems is investigated through a series of case studies where poor situational awareness among stakeholders was identified. This was found to be an underlying cause for management failure, suggesting need for better ways of recognising and managing wicked problem situations. Human cognition is considered both as a limitation and enabler to decision-making in wicked problem environments. Naturalistic and deliberate decision-making are reviewed. The thesis identifies the need for integration of qualitative and quantitative techniques. Case study results and a review of the literature led to identification of a set of principles of method to be applied in an integrated framework, the aim being to develop an improved way of addressing wicked problems. These principles were applied to a series of cases in an action research setting. However, organisational and political barriers were encountered. This limited the exploitation and investigation of cases to varying degrees. In response to a need identified in the literature review and the case studies, a tool is designed to facilitate analysis of multi-factorial, non-linear causality. This unique tool and its use to assist in problem conceptualisation, and as an aid to testing alternate strategies, are demonstrated. Further investigation is needed in relation to the veracity of combining causal influences using this tool and system dynamics, broadly. System dynamics modelling was found to have utility needed to support analysis of wicked problems. However, failure in a particular modelling project occurred when it was found necessary to rely on human judgement in estimating values to be input into the models. This was found to be problematic and unacceptably risky for sponsors of the modelling effort. Finally, this work has also identified that further study is required into: the use of human judgement in decision-making and the validity of system dynamics models that rely on the quantification of human judgement.

System dynamics modelling has been used for around 40 years to address complex, systemic, dynamic problems, those often described as wicked. But, system dynamics modelling is not an exact science and arguments about the most suitable techniques to use in which circumstances, continues. The nature of these wicked problems is investigated through a series of case studies where poor situational awareness among stakeholders was identified. This was found to be an underlying cause for management failure, suggesting need for better ways of recognising and managing wicked problem situations. Human cognition is considered both as a limitation and enabler to decision-making in wicked problem environments. Naturalistic and deliberate decision-making are reviewed. The thesis identifies the need for integration of qualitative and quantitative techniques. Case study results and a review of the literature led to identification of a set of principles of method to be applied in an integrated framework, the aim being to develop an improved way of addressing wicked problems. These principles were applied to a series of cases in an action research setting. However, organisational and political barriers were encountered. This limited the exploitation and investigation of cases to varying degrees. In response to a need identified in the literature review and the case studies, a tool is designed to facilitate analysis of multi-factorial, non-linear causality. This unique tool and its use to assist in problem conceptualisation, and as an aid to testing alternate strategies, are demonstrated. Further investigation is needed in relation to the veracity of combining causal influences using this tool and system dynamics, broadly. System dynamics modelling was found to have utility needed to support analysis of wicked problems. However, failure in a particular modelling project occurred when it was found necessary to rely on human judgement in estimating values to be input into the models. This was found to be problematic and unacceptably risky for sponsors of the modelling effort. Finally, this work has also identified that further study is required into: the use of human judgement in decision-making and the validity of system dynamics models that rely on the quantification of human judgement.