Training Aids for Basic Combat Skills: Developing Map-Reading Skills

摘要

The overarching goal was to develop a training aid that could be used by Initial Entry Training (IET) companies to assist Soldiers in improving map-reading skill proficiency. Training-aid development followed a five-phase process: Design, Development, Utilization, Assessment, and Revision. After developing two training aids, background information and hands-on practice, two IET companies completed the training-aid assessment process consisting of a test immediately following map-reading training, three weeks of using the aids, and a retention test. Low-performing Soldiers scored higher when they used the hands-on practice training aid and all Soldiers bcnefitted from the background information training aid. The two separate packets were integrated into a single training packet that included both the background information and hands- on practice. Designing an adjunct training aid to be compatible with various levels of skill proficiency can be effective in improving training. The single packet will allow Soldiers to use the training aid without assistance and, because practice questions are of varying degrees of difficulty, will allow Soldiers at various skill levels to benefit.