Military Officer - August 2008 - (Page 60)

“ By putting these guys in a simulated combat environment against a simulated enemy that shoots back, they’re required to work as a team to win and survive.” —Ron Webb, Tennessee M-CCTT facilitator to seek out possible targets. Static in radio transmissions varies depending on the virtual vehicle’s location in the virtual ﬁeld: If it’s too far away from the command center, radio communications are severed completely until it moves back in range. “Reloading” the simulator takes time as well, placing a simulated tank or Bradley out of a ﬁreﬁght until more ammunition is loaded. “If they go out and ‘John Wayne it,’ squeezing off round after round without concise ﬁre commands and ﬁre control measures adhered to, they will soon ﬁnd they are out of ammo,” Shannon points out. Once crews have identiﬁed threats on the battleﬁeld, ammunition selection is critical. In current combat theaters, identifying the enemy isn’t always clear-cut, prompting facilitators of the MCCTT to load simulators so they can depict any of the threats facing today’s soldiers. The purpose, Shannon explains, is not necessarily for crews and platoons to make it from point A to point B alive but rather for them to encounter multiple threats — conventional or otherwise — during their time in the simulators. and training facilitators, they discuss areas to sustain and improve. “On top of all else, we’re building teams, getting them comfortable working together, preparing them for the dangers of modern warfare,” Shannon says. Webb agrees, adding that the M-CCTT is an outstanding way to build team cohesiveness: “By putting these guys in a simulated combat environment against a simulated enemy that shoots back, they’re required to work as a team to win and survive.” There are a few drawbacks. Reloading ammo and making repairs in the ﬁeld must be simulated, using the time required to complete the tasks as the measuring medium. Graphic representations, though already realistic, could use some improvement, but Webb thinks that will come in time. For those who use the M-CCTT, the facilitators themselves are a “tremendous asset” to the M-CCTT’s state-of-the-art equipment — guys who’ve spent a lot of time in armor, Nalls says. “Such a deep degree of experience is a huge training advantage,” he adds. “If the commanders are smart, they’re taking advantage of this training.” MO A battlefield view, as seen from inside an M-CCTT simulator, provides soldiers with the sights and sounds of a real battle. 60 MILITARY OFFICER AUGUST 2008 PHOTO: BETH UNDERWOOD Lessons learned At the end of each mission, platoons return to the command-and-control trailer for an after-action review where, along with their commander

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer - August 2008

Military Officer - August 2008 Contents MOAA Online From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Chapters in Action Financial Forum Ask the Doctor MOAA Member Services Cover Story: A Stronger Voice Virtual Combat Mental Floss Steady as She Goes Pages of History Faces of MOAA Member Books Information Exchange Advertising Index MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps MOAA Scholarship Donors Encore

Military Officer - August 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.