Handgun Marksmanship Training: Evaluation of an Advanced Marksmanship Trainer

Abstract

ABSTRACT New advances in technology make increasingly realistic simulation available at decreasing costs. In marksmanship training, simulators may improve training quality while reducing training expenditures Previous research indicates that simulators may be at least as effective as traditional methods of instruction. The Air Force Combat Arms School at Lackland Air Force Base tested an advanced marksmanship trainer, which simulates both the M–16 rifle and the M–9 pistol. This study examines the effects of noise, recoil, and training time on M–9 qualification scores of 166 security police trainees. Results indicate that the trainer is effective for training marksmanship skills, and that presence or absence of consistent recoil and report are important to the training process. When weighed against costs, these benefits of the trainer prove cost effective when they may be used to reduce washback or elimination from training. Summary In summary, the results support the hypotheses of the study: that a simulation–based trainer will provide effective training in terms of marksmanship scores; and that trainer recoil and report, as well as the amount of time the trainer is used, are important factors in training effectiveness. Additional research should also explore areas not addressed in this study. Of particular importance is research addressing the possibility of replacing live fire in various situations. For example, although replacing live qualification fire may not be appropriate, as that would be replacing the learning outcome with the training process, perhaps a trainer could replace some live orientation or practice fire. Live fire situations which are too dangerous or expensive to be presented in training should also be explored as possible areas of application for a trainer. Such situations would include scenarios involving moving targets, scenarios requiring a law enforcement official to make a decision about whether or not to fire, and combat scenarios. Finally, when costs are weighed against the benefits in this particular case, the trainer would most appropriately be used in a situation where its training effectiveness could be used to reduce a substantial washback rate. This project resulted in valuable information related to the implementation of new technology in marksmanship training. However, as any process is not complete without a feedback loop that continues to refine the results and improve the process, so this project is not complete without continuing advances——such as the evaluation of a prototype advanced marksmanship and combat arms classroom. In any event, this project does provide a model which can be followed in investigating new applications of technology. Comprehensive evaluation with wise balancing of costs and benefits will provide much of the information necessary for implementation of new training technology, resulting in cost–effective and appropriate use of the technology in training.