When we first started Analysis First, our focus was on a materiel training solution. After all, that’s where the money is. Also, when you have a fantastic idea, that will be the best thing the Army has ever seen, and soldiers will DEMAND to have in their kit, how could you not?
Well, let’s just say that was a long and expensive lesson in how the Army acquisition system does and does not work.
(And in case you think I’m exaggerating about the product’s usefulness, in one meeting with a uniformed S&T officer, my initial emails were compared with “those Nigerian email scams” because it was just too good to be true.)
In spite of the system never going anywhere, my passion for well trained soldiers continues. I’m not talking about the hours and hours of mandatory “You’re in the Army Now” training that everyone takes to check the box(es). I’m talking about actual job training: working towards an ability to dominate any adversary, whatever your job is.
I’m sure I will talk more about TIS in the future, but for today, I’ll just put out a few things that I think are vital to a new training system.
On Demand Training: Any organization should be able to train at any time, anywhwere. Yes, large scale operations take a lot planning, but a platoon leader should be able to make a decision to train and be able to implement quickly. Very few locations have homestation training available.
Scalable Training: Not only should any organization be able to train, but the same systems should be scalable. Training a squad and training a brigade should not look substantially different, insofar as the individual soldier and his tasks are concerned.
Easy to Use: It should not take a cadre of contractors to run and maintain the training systems. They should be intuitive to use, and easy to maintain.
And last, but certainly not least…
Realistic: We can’t replicate everything about war, but we certainly should come as close as we can. You can’t stop a bullet by covering yourself in dirt, so you shouldn’t be able to avoid being “injured” in training by doing so. “Train as you fight” has been a mantra for a long time. The technology exists. It’s time our soldiers had it.