Improving Sa: Training Challenges for Infantry Platoon Leaders

Abstract

Novel applications of digital technologies promise to revolutionize the battlefield of the Infantry Warfighter by expanding the information available to all echelons through enhanced acquisition, faster access and wider distribution. The integration of this information into a coherent picture is the essence of the Warfighter's Situation Awareness (SA), which provides the basis for sound decision-making and enhanced performance. This study investigates areas of SA that are considered problematic by the soldiers who train new Infantry Platoon Leaders, identifying strategic target areas for future training efforts. The number and variety of items identified as significant problem areas for SA support the concept of the multidimensional nature of SA within the Infantry arena. This research provides a framework for development of targeted training programs to better equip our fighting forces to establish and maintain superior levels of SA in the challenging environment of Infantry operations.