301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade soldiers use Virtual Battlespace to improve readiness

By Spc. Sean Harding (Army Reserve)September 26, 2016

301st MEB HHC soldiers recieve a briefing on the Virtual Battlespace 3 system
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SPC Flores engages the enemy during an assault mission
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Mr. Winchel briefs HHC soldiers on the VBS system
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PFC Yang, HHC, 301st MEB engages the enemy
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Fort Lewis, WA. - Last weekend soldiers from the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade participated in a series of exercises using United States Army Reserve Command's (USARC) virtual training platform known as Virtual Battlespace (VBS3) to practice everything from convoy operations and marksmanship, to squad level tactics and radio etiquette.

Virtual Battlespace is a computer-based simulation that allows soldiers to engage in a series of tasks to sharpen their skills, or prepare for a mission. It comes with more than 150 battle drills, and more can be designed based on commander's needs. The Virtual Training Team is mobile, and can provide training wherever your unit is located.

"Virtual Battlespace is not a video game," stressed Jamison Winchel, senior consultant for USARC Region 10 which covers the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. "I would call it a simulation."

"Virtual Battlespace is highly customizable to where [commanders] can create their own terrain or environment" or even add their own vehicles and weapons. Maps can even be created from real locations to prepare for real combat missions. Army Criminal Investigation Command units can use the platform to solve crimes, or it can even be used to prepare for peacetime and humanitarian missions. "If a commander can imagine it, VBS can create it," said Winchel.

"VBS is useful because it still simulates the mental pathways and processes as traditional training, without having to be physically walking through something" said Captain Ryan Rhodes, company commander for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. "It's similar to the types of training and rehearsals fighter pilots go through where they're visualizing and conditioning their minds for what they'll do when a situation arises."

"They're not physically at a training site conducting combat operations. They can do this type of training without all of the time, preparation and planning and resources that go into running a range or convoy. You can use this tool to augment your training objectives."

Captain Rhodes said he would like to train with Virtual Battlespace again in the future.

Related Links:

Army Reserve Homepage

Military Gaming Official Site

301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Facebook Page