Live field training is essential to the preparation of Marines and Marine units. No other training environment can approximate real-world combat conditions including time pressure, the fog and friction of war, and in the case of force-on-force training, a dynamic adversary. The subsequent after-action review (AAR) is where most learning takes place. An effective AAR facilitates reflection by providing feedback on individual and unit performance so that strengths can be sustained and deficiencies, corrected. The purpose of the Office of Naval Research’s Streamlined Marine After-Action Review (AAR) Tool for Visualization (SMART-Viz) research and development effort is to optimize learning and the development of expertise with data-driven feedback on unit performance.
The SMART-Viz research program uses high-fidelity, integrated, intelligent AAR tools to capture objective data about what occurred rather than subjective perceptions, and visually reproduce the events of the battle across the warfighting functions. The SMART-Viz tools rapidly synchronize data from instrumented sources and observers to provide information about tactical events paired with cognitive and behavioral performance assessments of decision making. Individual and unit performance measures are displayed in an analysis dashboard combining a visual representation of ground truth on the battlespace, battle outcomes, and performance measure graphics. Expected results include increases in the volume and objectivity of data available to AAR facilitators and utility of the data for pinpointing performance deficiencies and delivering visual battle replay feedback that promotes comprehension and learning. This paper describes the measures forming the foundation of the AAR analysis and early results drawn from Marine Corps exercises including battle outcomes and measures of decision making. Specifically, outcome measures of survivability, lethality, and mission accomplishment were collected via data logs and sensors. In addition, quality measures of commander and staff decision making from observer ratings were collected and tested.
Keywords
AFTER ACTION REVIEW (AAR),DECISION,EXERCISE,METRICS
Additional Keywords