"The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) and the Force XXI Training Program have sponsored the development of a structured simulation-based training program for selected staffs of conventional mounted brigades. The development effort, entitled the Combined Arms Operations at Brigade Level Realistically Achieved Through Simulation (and known as COBRAS) resulted in construction of training support packages (TSPs) for large-scale exercises and for small-group vignettes. Development of the scenario and all TSP materials followed the guidance found in the Methodology for the Development of Structured Simulation-Based Training, published by ARI in 1995. This report documents an expanded methodology, based on experience in the COBRAS program. The expansion is contained in the Guide for Development of Structured Simulation-Based Training. The Guide contains additional examples and warnings, and more in-depth coverage of TSP construction and formative evaluations. This report discusses the activities in the methodology."--DTIC.

"The Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) and the Force XXI Training Program have sponsored the development of a structured simulation-based training program for selected staffs of conventional mounted brigades. The development effort, entitled the Combined Arms Operations at Brigade Level Realistically Achieved Through Simulation (and known as COBRAS) resulted in construction of training support packages (TSPs) for large-scale exercises and for small-group vignettes. Development of the scenario and all TSP materials followed the guidance found in the Methodology for Development of Structured Simulation-Based Training, published by ARI in 1995. The Report on the Methodology for Development of Structured Simulation-Based Training Programs expands the guidance found in the original methodology, based on experience in the COBRAS program. This guide contains additional examples and warnings, and more in-depth coverage of TSP construction and formative evaluations. It is intended for use by training designers and developers, as well as training program reviewers and proponents."--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.

"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.