Analysis of Emerging Digital and Back-up Training Requirements

Digitization is the future of the Army. However, along with digitization come training and personnel implications. This report discusses training issues associated with digitization, specifically those that address a need to train and maintain backup along with digital skills. Backup skills are the individual and collective skills required when digital systems are degraded or unavailable. The study focused on the digital M1A2 Abrams Main Battle training program as an exemplar. Lessons learned about digital and backup training requirements should be applied in the M2A3 training program. The study investigated issues that are applicable to a wide range of digital applications and training conditions. The study examined individual and collective tasks that support tank operations and found both digital and backup tasks to be poorly defined, particularly in collective performance. A method for analysis is described and analytic results reported. The study also outlines the current state of training armor and infantry soldiers and the impact that increased digitization may have on training pipelines. The study employed a series of expert groups to define issues and formulate recommendations. These groups included users, developers, researchers, and trainers with a wide spectrum of experience and viewpoints. Expert group results are reported and include 15 primary issues and accompanying recommendations.Human Resources Research Organization Alexandria VA is the author of 'Analysis of Emerging Digital and Back-up Training Requirements', published 1998 under ISBN 9781423558385 and ISBN 1423558383.