Future Military Training

The chapter hosted Col. Wayne Epps, USA, project manager for constructive simulation, Program Executive Office of Simulation, Training and Instrumentation, at its December meeting. Col. Epps provided an insightful view of how military leaders must adapt to the evolving spectrum and intensity of current warfare. The training that young leaders received over the past 10 years of war does not prepare them for the battlefield of the future. Each element of leadership has been required to function outside the box of his or her defined responsibilities. Citing one example, the colonel discussed that a platoon leader has had to perform many of the responsibilities usually performed by his company commander or staff. In turn, they too are required to do aspects of meeting requirements normally accomplished at the battalion level. The tactical situation and intensity of contingency operations in an urban setting requires instant strategic decisions and actions. As this relates to his current responsibilities as program manager for constructive simulation, Col. Epps believes it is critical that training and simulation must represents reality that causes the soldier to undergo the similar stresses and decision making challenges that will be encountered while executing unified land operations.

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