Application of Light-Attenuating Devices (LAD) to Night Rifle Marksmanship Training

摘要

A field test demonstrated that training under either simulated or actual night illumination levels is an essential component of marksmanship training. This is because training under night conditions maintains marksmanship proficiency at a relatively higher level across time than does practicing night rifle techniques only during daylight. Although additional night practice does not immediately influence performance, it does affect long-term retention. In view of the Army's concern with maintaining proficiency over time, it is important to recognize that training either with LADs or during actual night helps to accomplish the goal. The results of this study show that LADs can be used as an effective substitute or adjunct to training and testing during actual night. This conclusion is based on the similarities in performance of groups that were trained and tested using LADs as compared to those that performed at night. In particular, the comparability in performance between these groups was shown for both immediate training transfer and long-term retention of marksmanship skills. Moreover, the various optical densities of the LADs' filters were found to be effective approximations of the different phases of the moon.