Integrating intelligence and building teams within the infantry immersion trainer

Abstract

The trend of focusing on technology in "technology augmented environments" and practicing a set of skills in isolation needs to shift towards user-centered training with skills being integrated earlier in the training process, as long as conditions for that integration exist. The purpose of this thesis was to examine whether incorporating intelligence briefs and debriefs with a Squad Planning Operations Center (SPOC) supported by suitable technologies improved infantry training in urban warfare training situations. To prepare for this task, a pilot study was conducted following current Infantry Immersion Trainer (IIT) procedures for the control group, while the experimental group utilized an Augmented Combat Operations Center (A-COC). Information gained from this study was then utilized for the main study conducted at the IIT aboard Camp Pendleton, CA. This study was conducted utilizing sixty participants in the control group (following current IIT procedures) and ninety-three participants in the experimental group (IIT procedure augmented with the use of a SPOC). The most statistically significant difference between the groups came from the participants' self-assessment on training confidence and overall success of training. Members of the experimental group, after utilizing the SPOC for planning, felt more confident in completing their training tasks and their view of achieving success in executing their mission was also higher.