A series of research and development programs on structured simulation-based training (SST) were conducted during the period 1993-1999. These programs focused on developing SST training Support packages (TSPs) to meet collective training requirements for the combined arms at echelons of brigade and below. An SST development methodology was also produced. The purpose of the methodology was to support future TSP developments as requirements for them are identified. This report represents the second portion of a two-part examination of issues related to SST. The first report described the history of these programs and their lessons learned. This report presents findings in three areas which were either not directly addressed or insufficiently resolved in published SST reports. These areas are: the respective roles of the constructivism and behaviorism/Systems Approach to Training instructional theories in designing the SST TSPs; needs for additional information and SST- related research; and planning and logistical requirements for integrating and maintaining SST as a part of the U.S. Army training system. The information needed to address these three areas was obtained from structured interviews and questionnaires.

"This report presents the development of the U.S. Army's Force 21 Training Program's Combined Arms Operations at the Brigade Level, Realistically Achieved Through Simulation 2 (COBRAS 2) training program. The COBRAS 2 program extends prior training research, providing expanded structured, simulation based training for conventionally equipped brigade staffs. A Brigade Staff Exercise (BSE) for the brigade commander and staff represents one program component. This BSE succeeds the original (COBRAS 1) BSE by incorporating a wider audience. The second component is a set of brigade staff vignettes. It augments the COBRAS 1 vignette library by including training for brigade staff members and staff processes not covered in COBRAS 1 vignettes. This report describes the COBRAS 2 program background, design and development efforts, and the resulting exercises and training support packages. The report discusses lessons learned regarding future program development, and concludes with an introduction to the COBRAS 2 follow on effort that employs COBRAS 2 project and related research findings in the development and testing of logical next steps in Force 21 Training Program efforts." -- Stinet.

"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."--Stinet.

"The U.S. Army Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation Command (STRICOM) is developing the Close Combat Tactical Trainer (CCTT) to support maneuver training for platoon and company units. The CCTT is the first part of the Combined Anms Tactical Training (CATT) system providing operational training for combined arms foroes on a virtual battlefield. The U.S. Army Research Institute (ARI) also is developing structured CCTT training support packages TSPs) for required mission and task training. Successfiil structured training in the Virtual Training program (VTP) with Simulation Networking (SIMNET) established a model for similar CaT training. This report examines integrated system management needed to implement suceessfull training with the CCTT and its TSPs. While CCTT development has focused on simulation requirements, and TSP development has focused on training requirements, total system management has been a secondary consideration. Conceived in a Total Quality Management (TQM) framework, the report proposes processes designed to sustain and improve the training effectiveness of the CCTT thronghout system life. The emphasis is on continuous monitoring of training proces and products to provide management feedback, and establishing process action teams to define and solve system problems. The report identifies some training process indicators, and possible management Support tools."--DTIC.

"This report provides an historical account and analysis of the U.S. Army Research Institute's (ARI) research and development (R & D) efforts on structured simulation-based training (SST). These R & D efforts have led to the development of 30 research reports, 14 conference papers, and over 200 training support packages (TSPs). The developed TSPs focused on optimizing the simulation-based training opportunities for armor and mechanized infantry platoons and companies, and their battalion and brigade staffs. The TSPs have also been developed for representatives of a battalion's or a brigade's combat support and combat service support elements. This report's findings indicate that the developed TSPs would, if utilized properly, help the U.S. Army more fully exploit its advanced simulation-training systems. In addition, 43 lessons learned have been derived from these SST projects. The present report provides a central information source on ARI's SST efforts, and has important implications for future SST research and development efforts."--Stinet.