Situation Awareness (SA) is a fundamental aspect of contemporary military operations. Our paper provides the background for and describes the first evaluation in a planned three-year progtram to develop new methods of measuring and providing performance feedback on team SA. Our initial focus is on small teams of dismounted infantry conducting training excercises using virtual simulations. A three-pronged approach to measuring SA is planned. The first employs systematically administered SA probes scored in real-time during the exercise. this approach will be augmented by trainer ratings of SA performance. The second approach involves the capture and analysis of voice communications among team members. A new system incorporates automated analysis of voice communications, including communication flow (sender, receiver, and duration) and content (category of transcribed communication). The third approach involves monitoring the networked simulation data stream during an exercise. Predefined rules combine assessments of movement, orientation, and weapon use to produce measures of decision making and SA. The three approaches to measuring SA were assessed in the context of an After Action Review (AAR) for sqad-level exercises. Squads conducted urban missions using the Squad Synthetic Environment at the Fort Benning Soldier Battle Lab. The exercises will employ scenarios developed specifically to support the measurement of the squad's ability to gain, maintain, and apply SA. In future years the SA measures will be used to provide performance feedback to the trainees during an AAR following each exercise, and will support training evaluation and management, as well as SA training research. This research involves collaboration of the Army Research Institute, Office of Naval Research, the University of Central Florida Institute for Simulation and Training, and Army/OSD SBIR contractors: SA Technologies, Aptima, and ScenPro.
Measuring Situation Aw reness for Dismounted Infantry Squads
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