The Chameleon Project for Adaptable Commanders and Teams

Abstract

How do military commanders and teams trained and equipped to fight and destroy the enemy, adapt their warfighting skills to perform peacekeeping missions? To understand current practices in commander and team deployment preparation, a research team supported by the Army Research Laboratory, Human Research and Engineering Directorate (ARL, HRED) interviewed training developers and observed unit preparation for operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina (B-H). Thirty days after deployment, we observed and interviewed unit personnel to assess their perceptions of mission preparation and determined the knowledge, skills and abilities, and information technology required for commanders and teams to operate and make decisions as part of a multi-national peacekeeping force. Training was influenced by a warfighting mindset that did not provide an adequate opportunity for the unit to practice fundamental peacekeeping tasks, build multi-functional teams, or adapt their information technology. Researchers are using cognitive models in learning, decision-making, and teamwork to develop methods and tools for training, assessment, and collaboration.