Technology and Procedures for Debriefing Distributed Training Should be Designed Simultaneously

Abstract

The military training community is developing methods and tools to support distributed simulation-based training, technological advances that enhance coordination from different geographical locations and reducing funding and resource requirements. As the training community evolves to conduct distributed training exercises frequently, there is a strong need to simultaneously shape and design the methods and procedures that will be used for these training events. In this paper, we describe traditional after-action review processes and roles and identify challenges to the extension of these approaches to distributed training environments. Two specific challenges are highlighted and discussed: the increased burden on the instructor to integrate performance and mission information across geographic locations, and the redefinition of instructor roles and task responsibilities in the distributed training environment. Finally, we discuss the implication of these challenges in developing training methods and in designing the technologies to support these procedures.