Intelligence Training Research Exercise 15-1

The development of effective team training systems has a high degree of complexity. It is critical to balance fidelity for trainees and usability for trainers while optimizing training effectiveness. This paper focuses on the methodology leveraged to elicit the empirical data through a training specific study called a Training Research Exercise (T-REX). T-REX 15-1 kicked off the first combined user evaluation of the three primary components of the Distributed Common Ground System Weapon System Trainer (DWST). Thirteen individuals from the 480th ISR Wing, 27th Intelligence Squadron (IS), Distributed Ground Station-Indiana (DGS-IN), and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) participated in a 4 day training event to evaluate the usability and fidelity of the DWST. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed on the data for the three different measures across all participants; crew trainer fidelity (M = 3.71, SD = 0.30), crew trainer usability (M = 3.69, SD = 0.41), and overall training experience (M = 3.43, SD = 0.42). Results indicate that participants from all groups were satisfied with the fidelity and usability of the crew trainer as well as the training experience in general.