Numerous advances in virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies have made them far more accessible and affordable than ever before, and as devices proliferate there are wide variations in approaches to realism, immersiveness, interactivity, and emotional connection to the user.  With so many options to choose from, it is important to examine whether these technologies and techniques have a measurable impact on learning outcomes when compared to traditional methods.  This paper examines specific elements of VR/AR to help quantify their impact on learning outcomes and whether their effectiveness changes based on different military applications such as combat simulations, emergency medical training, classroom instruction, and leadership development.  The result is a framework that should assist decision makers maximize their return on investment during curriculum development by illustrating which features would be worth the investment for different training scenarios.