Assessing situation awareness in field training exercises

Author(s):  
Michael D. Matthews ◽  
◽  
Scott A. Beal
Author(s):  
Michael D. Matthews ◽  
Scott A. Beal

Two methods for assessing situation awareness (SA) were field tested during infantry exercises. Eight platoons of U.S. Military Academy cadets executed an infantry mission during summer field training exercises. A subjective SA measure, the Mission Awareness Rating Scale (MARS), was given to each platoon leader and one squad leader from each platoon to self-assess both SA and cognitive workload demanded by the tasks. In addition, infantry expert observers rated each platoon and squad leader using the Situation Awareness Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale (SABARS). Both MARS and SABARS had been validated previously in missions conducted in a virtual environment. In the current field test, both instruments showed evidence of successfully measuring SA. Both instruments show promise for assessing SA in the field, or in other venues where more obtrusive measurement protocols are undesirable.


1991 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Franklin ◽  
J. C. Lavender ◽  
D. A. Seaver

Author(s):  
Michael D. Matthews ◽  
Silas G. Martinez ◽  
Jarle Eid ◽  
Bjorn Helge Johnsen ◽  
Ole Christian Boe

The Situation Awareness Behavioral Rating Scale (SABARS) utilizes ratings by expert observer/controllers (O/Cs) to evaluate situation awareness (SA) of infantry small unit leaders. Previous research (Matthews et al., 2004) showed SABARS to be predictive of a variety of performance measures. The current study explored the question of whether small unit leaders could use SABARS to accurately rate their own behavior as an index of their SA. To evaluate this question, 12 Norwegian Army and Navy Academy cadets participating in the role of squad leader during summer training exercises were given the SABARS to complete following an infantry mission. An experienced officer O/C observed the cadets though the execution of the mission and also provided SABARS ratings on the squad leader. Results indicated that “self-SABARS” evaluations did not correlate with SABARS completed by O/C's, and were not predictive of performance criteria. O/C-completed SABARS were, however, predictive of performance criteria thus replicating findings reported previously (Matthews et al., 2004). Implications for assessing SA in the field are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 184 (11-12) ◽  
pp. e632-e636
Author(s):  
Jeffery L Heileson ◽  
Julianna M Jayne

AbstractIntroductionDehydration can have an immediate negative impact on the performance of Soldiers in training or combat environments. Field expedient methods for assessing hydration status may be valuable for service members. Measurement of urine-specific gravity (USG) via refractometer is inexpensive, simple, fast, and a validated indicator of hydration status. Manual (MAN) and digital (DIG) refractometers are commonly used in laboratory settings however, digital (DIG) devices have not been validated in the field against MAN devices. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity and feasibility of using a DIG refractometer to assess USG compared to a MAN refractometer during a military field training exercise.Materials and MethodsFifty-six military service members provided 672 urine samples during two 10-day field training exercises in central Texas. USG was assessed using a MAN and a DIG refractometer with cutoff value of ≥1.020 indicating hypohydration. The study received a non-human research determination.ResultsThe MAN measurements were strongly correlated with the DIG (r = 0.91, p < 0.0001) measurements. Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated agreement between the refractometers. The DIG displayed good sensitivity (93.9%) and specificity (85.8%) compared to the MAN.ConclusionThe DIG refractometer used in this study was reliable and valid compared with a MAN device and was feasible for use in a field environment; however, the DIG refractometer tended to over overestimate hypohydration.


Author(s):  
Jessica Cruit ◽  
Beth Blickensderfer ◽  
A. L.M. Thom McLean ◽  
Sarah Sherwood ◽  
Taylor Martin ◽  
...  

The U.S. Navy is investigating safety issues inherent to adding Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) training functions to cockpits of F/A-18 aircraft. The current study examined previously investigated air combat training mishaps to identify common causal factors that may be exacerbated or mitigated within the LVC training environment. That is, by understanding the factors contributing to past mishaps, we can consider whether those similar factors might interact negatively with LVC technology to degrade safety in training exercises. A total of 167 relevant mishap summaries were collected and analyzed using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS). The majority of mishaps occurred unintentionally through skill-based errors (n = 115) and decision errors (n = 102). Additionally, adverse mental states (n = 43), and communication coordination (n = 56) accounted for the majority of the mishaps under preconditions for unsafe acts. Lastly, at the supervisory and organizational level of the HFACS taxonomy, inadequate supervision (n = 32) and organizational process (n = 13) accounted for a high number of the mishaps. A sub-categorical analysis revealed the majority of incidents occurred by means of poor in-flight planning and loss of situation awareness. These results will facilitate the safety of introducing LVC training by highlighting factors that tend to contribute to mishaps so that they can be monitored during the transition.


1981 ◽  
Vol 146 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas F. Payne ◽  
William R. Posey

2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 321-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul D. Ayers ◽  
Alan B. Anderson ◽  
Chunxia Wu

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document