There is a growing need for system maintainers to apply general principles for using an array of Test, Maintenance, and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE) with common functions to diagnose a variety of equipment with common capabilities and faults. In the current operating environment, different versions of equipment may be in use in a single unit. Also, units may be falling in on different equipment versions than were used for their training. If the system maintainers do not understand the functionality of the diagnostic equipment available to them in the field for the weapons systems in their units, then unit readiness suffers and logistics costs rise.

Traditional maintenance training is designed for a specific weapons system using the TMDE allocated to that system. This task-based knowledge is not easily transferrable, and novice unit maintainers have not adapted to different equipment in the operational environment. Stringing together separate training for each possible system that the maintainers might face in the field is not an acceptable approach due to constraints on training schedules.

This paper describes an alternative process that combines acquiring skills and deliberate practice in virtual environments on generic equipment with familiarization on multiple versions of specific equipment. This approach can reduce the overall training time by investing in repeated practice on common skills with generic equipment and then providing familiarization with the different variations in TMDE and weapon systems. Examples will include variations and commonality in the operation and maintenance of tactical generators and Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) configurations in different vehicles.