Meeting the anticipated strategic environment of persistent conflict requires the Military to modernize concepts and capabilities continuously and aggressively. The Army Learning Concept 2015 recognizes the need for a Persistent Learning Capability (PLC) to meet current and future Army training challenges. The PLC architecture provides Soldiers and Leaders with a dynamic and engaging method to gain 24/7 browser-based access to critical information and capabilities to train for the threats of tomorrow. The Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) selected the United States Army's Brigade Combat Team Modernization (BCTM) program to train Doctrine, Tactics, and Techniques as the first use case for the PLC.

The PLC design team divided the leader-centric training in two phases, self-paced asynchronous courseware and synchronous small-group online decision-making exercises, using the Multiuser Online Virtual Exercise (MOVE) application. The team designed and developed curricula around the principle that participants were remote and required flexibility. The MOVE integrated virtual-world environments, constructive simulation, and a suite of collaborative tools to create an "instructional wrapper" to assimilate unique Leader experiences and enable real-time coaching by observer trainers (OTs). Leaders and OTs collaborate online to create solutions to complex tactical problems using a 2D interactive map, and establish virtual trust via social networking. The instructional wrapper included a 3D terrain view to enhance visualization of the 2D plan, and "hot spots" enable Leaders to enter the virtual world as avatars to manipulate equipment.

TRADOC Analysis Center, White Sands Missile Range conducted a PLC Training Effectiveness Analysis. This paper will provide an outline of the program design and development, along with the results of the analysis across three dimensions: technology performance, potential for learning, and user acceptability.