Structured Training for Units in the Close Combat Tactical Trainer: Design, Development, and Lessons Learned

Abstract : This report describes the "Structured Training for Units in the Close Combat Tactical Trainer (STRUCCTT)" Project. The purposes of this project were to: (a) design and develop a basic core set of exercises to support initial Close Combat Tactical Trainer (user testing and future fielding, and (b) develop an exercise framework within which future exercises can fit as part of a contextually complete family of exercises. This report first describes the background of this initiative (the use of structured simulation-based training in CCTT) and identifies the objectives laid out for project completion. It then discusses the project's design, development, and formative evaluation processes. The design section describes the processes and procedures involved in creation of the exercise mission scenarios and training objectives. The development section highlights the processes that comprise and contribute to the creation of completed exercises, to include training support packages and demonstrations of performance. The formative evaluation section describes the project evaluation strategy and methodology, and the processes by which exercise testing and modification were conducted. Following this section, the lessons learned section presents issues which framed the project's progress and development, and which may provide insight and directions for additional developmental work. A final concluding section discusses the ramifications of this project, with recommendations for future development efforts.