An Evaluation of a Technique for Using the Combat Training Theater (CTT) for Periodic Rifle Marksmanship Proficiency Training and Qualification

Abstract

Research in the area of field validation of training concepts and devices targeted for U.S. Army, Europe (USAREUR) utilization is conducted as an in-house effort by the Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI). The entire project i6 directly responsive to the Army's advanced development RDTE program and to special requirements of the 7th Army Training Center at Grafenwoehr, Germany. The present effort, accomplished under Army Project 2Q163743A773, represents one phase in the exploration of newly developed training concepts, devices, aids and simulation techniques that are not yet field tested. The objective of this effort is to conduct validation studies of selected devices, techniques, and concepts and provide for their integration into USAREUR programs as their training value is documented. The authors wish to acknowledge the dedicated and substantial as-:istance that SSG Ronald J. Anderson of the Ist ID provided during the equipment setup and data collection phase of the study. They also extend appreciation to CPT George S. Perkins of the 4th Brigade, 4th ID, and CPT Richard E. Overmyer, Jr., of the 7th ATC, Combined Arms Training Directorate, for their contributions to the scheduling and execution of this effort.

New Directions in Rifle Marksmanship Research

“…Studies that have explicitly attempted to predict rifle performance have been conducted in the context of evaluating how well performance on a rifle simulator relates to actual record-fire performance on the firing range (e.g., Hagman, 1998;Marcus & Hughes, 1979;Schendel, Heller, Finley, & Hawley, 1985;Smith & Hagman, 2000Torre et al, 1987). Another body of research has used shooting as a platform to study skilled behavior in relation to psychophysiological constructs and measurements (e.g., Bird, 1987;Hatfield, Landers, & Ray, 1987;Janelle et al, 2000;Kerick, Iso-Ahola, & Hatfield, 2000;Konttinen & Lyytinen, 1992, 1993Konttinen, Lyytinen, & Konttinen, 1995).…”

“…Another important variable found to be related to shooting performance is experience with weapons and prior record-fire perfor- Rifle steadiness (Humphreys, Buxton, & Taylor, 1936) .72 43 Rifle steadiness (McGuigan & MacCaslin, 1955) .22 148 Rifle steadiness (Spaeth & Dunham, 1921) .61 73 Prior shooting experience and aptitude (MacCaslin & McGuigan, 1956) R = .67-.72 Prior shooting experience (Tierney, Cartner, & Thompson, 1979), males .24 Prior shooting experience (Tierney et al, 1979), females .19 Prior hunting experience (Tierney et al, 1979), males .21 Prior experience with a .22 rifle (Thompson, Smith, Morey, & Osborne, 1980), males .21-.25 Prior record-fire performance (McGuigan & MacCaslin, 1955), repeated qualification course 3 times .88, .84 Self-reported prior record-fire performance (Schendel, Morey, Granier, & Hall, 1983) .29 121 Prior record-fire performance (Smith, 2000, Experiment 2) .37 50 Prior record-fire performance (Thompson, Morey, Smith, & Osborne, 1981) 388 Weaponeer device-fire (Schendel et al, 1985, Experiment 1) .37-.74 102 Weaponeer device-fire (Schendel et al, 1985, Experiment 2) .17-.55 244 Combat Training Theater device-fire (Marcus & Hughes, 1979) Low Laser Marksmanship Training System device-fire (Smith & Hagman, 2000) .55 95 Laser Marksmanship Training System device-fire (Smith & Hagman, 2003, Study 1) .50 110 Laser Marksmanship Training System device-fire (Smith & Hagman, 2003, Study 2) .55 76 Engagement Skills Trainer device-fire (Hagman, 1998) .68 102 Other device-fire (Torre et al, 1987) .54 29 Cognitive ASVAB clerical/administrative (Carey, 1990) .26 a ASVAB general technician (Carey, 1990) .35 a ASVAB electrical repair (Carey, 1990) .32 a ASVAB mechanical maintenance (Carey, 1990) .38 a ASVAB composite (Carey, 1990) .32 a Infantry training GPA (Carey, 1990) .25 a Core job knowledge (Carey, 1990) .31 a Supervisor ratings (Carey, 1990) .16 a Skill Qualification Test, a measure of a soldier's skill achievement …”

“…Finally, a moderate correlation was found by Torre et al (1987) in their investigation (r = .54, p < .05, n = 29). Other systems have been investigated (e.g., Combat Training Theater; Marcus & Hughes, 1979), but low correlations between device-fire and record-fire scores have been found, possibly owing to poor live-fire range conditions.…”

The Influence of Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Factors on the Development of Rifle Marksmanship Skills

“…Current demands of military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq are generating renewed interest in accelerating rifle marksmanship training. As reviewed by Chung, Delacruz, de Vries, Bewley, and Baker (2006), prior rifle marksmanship research has focused on a range of topics, including evaluating training programs (e.g., Evans, Dyer, & Hagman, 2000;Evans & Osborne, 1998;Evans & Schendel, 1984;Hagman, 1998Hagman, , 2000Hagman, Moore, Eisley, & Viner, 1987;Hagman & Smith, 1999;McGuigan, 1953), examining the relation between performance using a rifle simulator and performance on the firing range (e.g., Hagman, 1998;Marcus & Hughes, 1979;Schendel, Heller, Finley, & Hawley, 1985;Smith & Hagman, 2000Torre, Maxey, & Piper, 1987White, Carson, & Wilbourn, 1991), and the use of shooting as a testbed to study skilled behavior in relation to psychophysiological constructs and measurements (e.g., Bird, 1987;Hatfield, Landers, & Ray, 1987;Janelle et al, 2000;Kerick, 1 We would like to thank the staff at Camp Pendleton WTBN. We also wish to thank the following people from UCLA/CRESST: Joanne Michiuye for her help with the preparation of this manuscript and with data collection, and Daniel Parks for hardware design and development.…”