Visualization; Virtual Reality Training

Excerpted from the ENN Daily Report - November 1, 1996 - Vol. 2 - No. 306

Visualization; Virtual Reality Training For the Future ...
By Paul Anderson, ENN Metro Correspondent

The following brief story appeared in the November,1996 edition of the Reader's Digest, on page14:

"I was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas, when I was told I would have to qualify to use a .38-caliber pistol. Having only held a gun on two other occasions I was apprehensive. When I fired my first shot, the loud bang and gun's kick startled me so much I almost dropped the pistol. Worst of all, in my panic I forgot to keep the gun pointed down range and drew a stern reprimand from my sergeant.

When I retrieved my targets, however, I was amazed to see that I had qualified with flying colors. The sergeant looked at my scores with disbelief and commented that he had been certain that I would fail. Smiling, I held up my index finger and thumb in a mock gun position and said one word that explained it all; 'Nintendo'." - - Contributed to Reader's Digest by Peggy Alston

At first glance, this anecdote appears to be just another humorous addition to the "Humor in Uniform" section of the magazine. But, it also points out that there may be more than one way to learn marksmanship and other skills that may be needed in a military/crisis environment.

Experiments are reportedly underway at several military research centers and private institutes to explore the use of virtual reality and 3-D computer programs in the training of military and emergency services personnel. The idea is not new, as extremely realistic flight simulators have been in use by the U.S. Air Force and commercial airlines for several years. But, extending this concept to multi-layered ground combat and disaster scenarios is something that has only been investigated in recent years.

Recently, reports have surfaced of a U.S. Marine Corp experiment with a modified version of the popular game "Doom", that allows troops to interact and practice fairly realistic small unit tactics and fireteam drills without any danger to them. It would appear to be a safe and cost effective training alternative for CQB (Close Quarter Battle) and urban/guerilla warfare tactics.

Sun MicroSystems and other computer simulator makers are also said to have developed workstations that allow company, battalion, brigade, and even division level officers to practice large unit engagement techniques in realistic virtual circumstances. These computer developments allow combat commanding officers to develop interactive skills that are useful in practicing modern "Air-Land-Battle" doctrine, that is need on today's extremely fluid battlefield environment.

On the emergency service side of the training simulation business, companies like the Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI) have been advocating the possibility of using virtual reality systems to allow paramedics to practice treatment protocols on virtual patients, firefighters to burn and fight fires in virtual buildings, and police officers learn street survival skills and arrest virtual criminals. Additionally, ERRI thinks that it would be an efficient and cost effective way for multiple emergency agencies to participate in mock disaster scenarios over a network. And, all without danger to either citizens or the emergency responders.

One of the biggest problems in both the military and emergency services is to expose "rookie" responders or low-ranking soldiers/sailors/airmen to enough "experiences" to allow them to function effectively in a crisis or combat situation. Historically, many injuries and even deaths occur in both training and in their first few months or even years on the job. It is believed by ERRI and others that by using realistic virtual reality training that this "experience quotient" can be rapidly increased and unnecessary casualties prevented. Additionally, the quality of emergency service that is provided to the public can be bettered while interagency cooperation and communication improves.

By the use of computer networks, it would even be possible for military and civilian emergency agencies to "virtually" work and drill together, as might prove necessary in the event of a terrorist attack, chemical/biological release, or other large scale disaster situation. "The possibilities of this concept are endless...for improving our national response capabilities and facilitating effective and more realistic training for those that protect us on a daily basis," according to Clark Staten, ERRI executive Director.

Staten says that he can see a transference of simulation capability and technology from an already developed military capability to the civilian emergency response sector and that closer cooperation between the two is both needed and inevitable in the coming century.

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