"This report documents the methodology and lessons learned in the development of the Innovative Tools for Brigade and Below Staff Training - Battle Staff Training System (ITTBBST-BSTS). The ITTBBST-BSTS consists of functional area training support packages (TSPs) for individual battalion and brigade level staff officers. The TSPs combine computer-based instruction (CBI) and text. Each TSP presents a course of instruction as CD-ROM based programs and supplemental text based instruction with a training management system. Courses train commanders and staff officers in their individual combat skills to enhance their proficiency in synchronization of battlefield operating systerns. The ITTBBST-BSTS was developed for use by the Total Force, Active and Reserve, and designed for use in a local area network, wide area network, or stand-alone computer mode. An internal review and external evaluation process supported revision of each TSP. The final products included the TSPs, a Use's Guide, and a System Administrator's Guide."--DTIC.

"This report discusses tile Army's initial research into converting Force 21 Training Program (FXXITP) products to meet the increasingly pressing training needs of digital battle staffs. The report describes tile activities and outcomes of tile U.S. Research Institute for tile Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) Force 21 Training Program Digital (FXXITP-D) project. The project developed an approach that supports tile conversion of existing training products in order to meet new training needs. During tile project, the conversion approach was employed to research and enact conventional to digital conversions of selected FXXITP products, including tile Battle Staff Training System (BSTS) and Combined Arms Operations at Brigade Level, Realistically Achieved Through Simulation (COBRAS) vignettes, Brigade Staff Exercise (BSE), and Brigade and Battalion Staff Exercise (BBSE). In addition to tile conversion approach and prototype digital training products, tile project identified a number of lessons for tile continuing development of digital training and the digital force."--Stinet.

"This report presents the development of the U.S. Army's Force XXI Training Program's Combined Arms Operations at the Brigade Level, Realistically Achieved Through Simulation I (COBRAS I) training program for the brigade staff. The COBRAS I program provides structured, simulation-based training on basic staff skills for conventionally-equipped forces and consists of two types of exercises: a Brigade Staff Exercise for the brigade commander and his staff, and smaller Brigade Staff Vignettes for segments of the staff The report highlights the program's background and design efforts (e.g., task identification, scenario design), the construction of the training support package (TSP) materials, and the resulting exercises and TSPs; formative evaluation methods and results are included throughout this discussion. The report concludes with a discussion of lessons learned regarding future program development and an introduction to the COBRAS I follow-on effort (COBRAS II) that will enhance the capability of the program to satisfy the U.S. Army's training needs."--DTIC.

"In 1994 the U.S. Army embarked on a widespread training effort known as the Force XXI Training Program to meet the challenges of decreasing resources and increasing performance expectations. In mid-year, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) and the U.S. Army Armor Center and Fort Knox (MG Larry Jordan, Commanding General) that established the virtual brigade training program (VBTP). As part of the VBTP, the ARI Armored Forces Research Unit at Fort Knox, the Directorate of Training and Doctrine Development-Force XXI, and Fort Knox joined forces to sponsor and conduct research and development of simulation-based training for the conventional mounted brigade staff. The work was performed under a project called Combined Arms Operations at Brigade Level, Realistically Achieved Through Simulation (COBRAS)."--DTIC.

"The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI), in coordination with the Directorate of Training and Doctrine Development-Force XXI and Fort Knox, sponsored this research and development effort to design simulation based training for selected members of conventional mounted brigade staff. Initial analysis of performance requirements in existing documentation revealed that the performance specifications were not sufficiently detailed for brigade battle staffs. Therefore, a systematic performance analysis was conducted. Brigade staff actions were role played by military subject matter experts (SME). Performance requirements were analyzed for three missions (movement to contact, area defense, and deliberate attack). After each role play session, SMEs responded to questionnaires regarding their actions and were interviewed extensively by training analysts Once the information was gathered, it was refined into task statements. The outcome of this process is a list of tasks that identify both individual and interactive performance requirements. The Combined Arms Operations at Brigade Level, Realistically Achieved Through Simulation (COBRAS) Brigade Staff Tasks are intended to be used as coaching guides for training observers and as job aids for the training participants."--DTIC.