Evaluation of the Reserve Component Armor Junior Leader Tactical Training Program

This report presents results of a user-based evaluation of a prototype Electronic Information Delivery System (EIDS)-based simulation called the Reserve Component (RC) Armor Junior Leader Tactical Training Program. The simulation was developed to support individualized tactical training of RC armor platoon leaders and sergeants. Four platoon leaders and four platoon sergeants from the 116th Armored Cavalry Brigade of the Idaho ANG participated in the evaluation. Each soldier worked through the program's 14 hours of practical- exercise-based training modules and rated the program on aspects related to user acceptance, i.e., adequacy of training, ease of use, functional fidelity, appropriateness of performance standards, and suitability of media usage. Soldiers also indicated possibilities for program improvement. The program was found to be challenging in that soldier performance was in most cases below the established proficiency standards. Performance did vary considerably, however, with better scores found for fundamental tactical skills typically trained in the unit. Soldiers rated the program high on user acceptance. They judged it to be: (a) adequate in its coverage of tactical skills specified in module training objectives; (b) a representative simulation of the decision-making environment in which platoon leaders/sergeants must operate; (c) reasonable in the standards set for proficient performance; and (d) easy to use.