They're collectively known as Generation Z, or as Marine Staff Sgt. Bradley Blanchard said in an earlier Turret story, "... the generation of PlayStation professionals. They come into the force thinking they know what it's all about because they play (the video game) Call of Duty." Many of those younger Soldiers believe they already have first-hand knowledge and experience in operating the first-person simulation game Virtual Battlespace 2, located in Skidgel Hall that is a part of the Fort Knox Battle Command Training Center.
"VBS2 uses current gaming technology and an artificial intelligence engine to create a virtual world for training," explained Tim Porter, the senior instructor at BCTC. "It can be linked to current command and control devices, such as Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and below.
"It is also easily modified by our training team to increase pressure on the users and to replicate up-to-the-minute conditions in theater. A command post with simulated communications and C2 devices can allow the entire company or platoon to practice individual and collective tactical and battle command task driven by a realistic, immersive simulation."
Porter added that the Tactical Ground Reporting system, newly available to the Fort Knox BCTC, provides a networked application for building intelligence preparation of the battlefield at company and platoon level and below.
"TIGR enables information sharing and report searching with multimedia data to include photos, GPS tracks, voice recordings, office files, and video," Porter said. "TIGR is a tremendous tool for mission preparation and planning, post-patrol debriefing, and (after-action reporting) at the company level and below.
"TIGR supports the lowest tactical level mission planning and after-action reporting ... shared in the networked (secure Internet protocol router) environment."
As an instructor for the simulator, Porter can alter tactical scenarios by adding buildings or enemy combatants and, changing weather and light conditions.
"I can put you in the middle of Baghdad," said Porter.
Before the implementation of VBS2, Soldiers were often trained using sand tables. But that type of training didn't provide the realism which was needed for Soldiers to understand and incorporate what was learned in the classroom.
Porter added that sand tables also didn't show Soldiers the importance of training as it related to them becoming tactically proficient on a dynamic battlefield.
"If I don't do what I'm supposed to do, others will die," he explained. "(This training) is more immersive and gets everyone involved."
Last year when ROTC cadets used the VBS2, Porter noticed a significant improvement over those cadets who didn't use the simulation. He said that having the cadets training using simulation and work it multiple times for four hours was equivalent to one full day of training.
One of the advantages to having VBS2 is repetitive training. Porter said many cadets had trouble visualizing what was being taught in the classroom.
"It's that repetitive process which can work out (standard operating procedures). It's a time saver," he said. "If you take a platoon of cadets and you have to walk 500 yards that takes time."
Porter is quick to add that VBS2 isn't intended to replace field training or sand tables-it's supposed to enhance those processes. The simulation won't teach Soldiers how to fire a weapon properly, nor will it teach them how to use equipment that is needed on the battlefield.
Another advantage for Soldiers using the simulator is the system's ability to communicate with commanders because it's a command and control system.
"Collective training requires bringing together the simulation and the battle command systems. The simulation goes out to the command post and generates requirements," Porter said. "That information goes out to all of the systems. Everything talks to each other ... it can be in the game and walk on the battlefield."
The BCTC provides individual training for a variety of battle command systems and supports collective training using simulations, including VBS2 as well as others, to stimulate all the Army Battle Command Systems.
Training is available to all units on and off post, and reserve units. For more information about using the BCTC, contact Porter at 624-6725.
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