A struggle common across many researchers is the definition of a process to systematically train undergraduates to a degree of competence on experimental tasks. This process becomes more critical when paired with the notion that much data resultant from academic research is utilized to either generalize or apply findings to a much larger population. Many researchers have criticized the practice of using undergraduates as experimental participants, claiming that there are characteristics of the undergraduate population which are different than those found in the general population (Ward, 1993). This is of particular concern in military training research in which the goal is to generalize experimental results to military populations. Further, in these settings, it is challenging to make conclusive recommendations regarding training effectiveness of systems when the experimental population may not have the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSAs) necessary for task accomplishment, or an understanding of the requisite tasks and the motivations behind mission success.

This paper presents a method designed to increase the KSAs of undergraduate participants such that they more closely parallel the target population; this is accomplished through the design and implementation of an "Undergraduate Boot Camp". This methodology was applied within the Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain (MOUT) domain, and focused on providing both classroom and practical application training in which a subject matter expert (SME) instructed, demonstrated and evaluated trainee performance. As a next step, training was supplemented by detailed scenario based feedback targeted at developing self and team awareness of task accomplishment. A key aspect of the methodology is to develop a central set of competencies, incorporate them into a pre training advance organizer, developed to support rapid development of a mental model of the target domain. Given this approach, the goal is to begin to define a methodology for systematically providing quality pre experimental instruction to trainees, resulting in an experimental group that has basic knowledge, skills, and strategies for interacting in the targeted domain.