The U. S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM), J9 Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Support Team developed tools that allowed experiment subjects to record their individual and collective Situational Awareness (SA) during structured military warfare and peacekeeping experiments. These SA tools were used in planning for, constructing and managing simulation activities during the experiments. Resultant data products from these tools were logged to support real-time and after-action review and assessment of player SA and understanding of dynamic events occurring within their geographic area of responsibility. Experiment subjects used Situational Awareness Objects (SAOs) to share their awareness regarding activities of adversaries, blue forces and civilian population. The Simulation Control Teams (red, blue, and green) shared their intentions and actions regarding activities of the adversaries, blue forces and civilian population using Exercise Control Objects (ECOs), while analysts used SAOs to support real-time, post-experiment evaluation and comprehensive after-action reviews. These SA tools enable the Urban Resolve series of experiments conducted by USJFCOM and the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA). Throughout the Urban Resolve experiments, the SA tool structure evolved to include new options based on operator's needs and recommendations.
This paper addresses the design and employment of SA tools and proposes that USJFCOM's ongoing success in using SAOs and ECOs, along with the enthusiasm and innovation that operators show in using them, indicates these tools would be useful if implemented in other simulations and operational C2 systems to enable training of 21st Century Joint Forces in exercises where mission focus is aimed at achieving warfighting excellence.