Soldiers’ Toolbox for Developing Tactics, …

1 Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Report 1919 Soldiers Toolbox for Developing tactics , Techniques, and Procedures (TTP) Richard Topolski Augusta State University Bruce C. Leibrecht, Timothy Porter, Chris Green, and R. Bruce Haverty Northrop Grumman Brian T. Crabb Army Research Institute February 2010 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences A Directorate of the Department of the Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G1 Authorized and approved for distribution: BARBARA A. BLACK, MICHELLE SAMS, Research Program Manager Director Training and Leader Development Division Technical Review by Heather Priest-Walker, Army Research Institute Peter S.

2 Schaefer, Army Research Institute NOTICES DISTRIBUTION: Primary distribution of this Research Report has been made by ARI. Please address correspondence concerning distribution of reports to: Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, Attn: DAPE-ARI-ZXM, 2511 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202-3926. FINAL DISPOSITION: This Research Report may be destroyed when it is no longer needed. Please do not return it to the Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. NOTE: The findings in this Research Report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position, unless so designated by other authorized documents. i REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE 1. REPORT DATE (dd-mm-yy) February 2010 2.

3 REPORT TYPEF inal 3. DATES COVERED (from.. to) June 2008 to April 2009 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Soldiers Toolbox for Developing tactics , Techniques, and 5a. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER W74V8H-04-D-0045 (DO 0029) Procedures (TTP) 5b. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 633007 6. AUTHOR(S) Richard Topolski (Augusta State University), Bruce C. Leibrecht, 5c. PROJECT NUMBER A792 Timothy Porter, Chris Green, R. Bruce Haverty (Northrop Grumman), and Brian T. Crabb ( Army Research Institute) 5d. TASK NUMBER 356 5e. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7 Northrop Grumman Army Research Institute for the Department of . PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) Technical Services Behavioral and Social Sciences Psychology Bldg 1467A Third Avenue 121 Morande Street Augusta State University Fort Knox, KY 40121 Fort Knox, KY 40121-4141 2500 Walton Way Augusta, GA 30904 8.

4 PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences ATTN: DAPE-ARI-IK 10. MONITOR ACRONYM ARI 2511 Jefferson Davis Highway Arlington, VA 22202-3926 11. MONITOR REPORT NUMBER Research Report 1919 12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES Subject Matter POC: Brian T. Crabb 14. ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words): This document describes research conducted to create an innovative, soldier -friendly method for Developing tactics , techniques, and procedures (TTP). The approach built on previously developed methodology, blending knowledge elicitation techniques and simulation-based vignettes to produce a flexible set of tools to structure and guide the TTP development process.

5 The resulting Toolbox was implemented with Soldiers to obtain feedback and ideas for improving the method. When groups of Soldiers used the Toolbox to develop focused TTP, the method proved to work well with a variety of missions and tactical conditions. The clarity and quality of the tools as well as the effectiveness of the method were assessed using multiple measures. The Soldiers rated the effectiveness of the method s various components positively. The quality of the resulting TTP increased across exercises (practice effect) and groups (resulting from Toolbox improvements between groups). Lessons learned about various aspects of the methodology are included. 15. SUBJECT TERMS tactics , Techniques, and Procedures Combat Development Simulation-Based Vignettes Future Force SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF 19.

6 LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT20. NUMBER OF PAGES21. RESPONSIBLE PERSON16. REPORT Unclassified 17. ABSTRACT Unclassified 18. THIS PAGE Unclassified Unlimited 48 Ellen Kinzer Technical Publication Specialist 703/602-8049 ii iii Research Report 1919 Soldiers Toolbox for Developing tactics , Techniques, and Procedures (TTP) Richard Topolski Augusta State University Bruce C. Leibrecht, Timothy Porter, Chris Green, and R. Bruce Haverty Northrop Grumman Brian T. Crabb Army Research Institute Fort Knox Research Unit James W. Lussier, Chief Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences 2511 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202-3926 February 2010 Army Project Number Personnel Performance 633007A792 and Training Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

7 Iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The research project leading to this report drew on the combined efforts of numerous people, in addition to the authors. First, we thank the participants in the study the officers and noncommissioned officers furnished by units at Fort Knox, Kentucky. We also thank Garry Kendrick, Colonel Michael Wadsworth, and the Future Force Integration Directorate for their support. Without the assistance of these individuals and organizations, this research effort would not have been possible. The Northrop Grumman team members whose hard work and dedication were critical to this report include: Chris Green Timothy Drushal John McFarlane Mark Colomb Randi Drake Finally, our thanks go to Dr. Scott Shadrick and Dr. Carl W. Lickteig of the Army Research Institute for their conceptual input.

8 V SOLDIERS Toolbox FOR Developing tactics , TECHNIQUES, AND PROCEDURES (TTP) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Research Requirement: As the Army continues its sweeping transformation, tactical units are receiving new warfighting capabilities including materiel, organizational changes, and doctrine at a rapid pace. These capabilities require new tactics , techniques, and procedures (TTP) to optimize the units combat effectiveness. Increasingly, the job of figuring out how to employ the new capabilities and integrate them with existing capabilities falls to Soldiers in the units. The Army needs an innovative method one that is structured, flexible, and soldier -friendly to guide units as they develop effective TTP. The goal of this research effort was to create a low-overhead, soldier -friendly method to help units rapidly develop and refine TTP.

9 Procedure: The research team built on previous methodology (Topolski, Leibrecht, Kiser, Kirkley, & Crabb, 2009) to create a flexible, broadly applicable TTP development method. They blended knowledge elicitation techniques and simulation-based vignettes to produce an adaptable set of forms and job aids organized in a Development Support Package (the Toolbox ). Test sessions (trial implementations) with four groups of Soldiers were conducted in a laboratory setting. Measures of effectiveness along with soldier feedback were gathered during the tests. Findings: When groups of Soldiers used the Toolbox to develop focused TTP, the method proved to work well with a variety of missions and tactical conditions. The clarity and quality of the tools as well as the effectiveness of the method were assessed using multiple measures.

10 The Soldiers gave positive ratings of the effectiveness of the method s various components. The quality of the resulting TTP increased across exercises (practice effect) and groups (resulting from Toolbox improvements between groups). Lessons learned about various aspects of the methodology are included. Utilization and Dissemination of Findings: The products of this research support the establishment of a structured, group-focused, and simulation-driven approach that elicits warfighting ideas from Soldiers. The Toolbox is intended to help unit leaders and Soldiers as they work to enhance their combat effectiveness. They can utilize the flexible methodology as a road map for Developing and implementing focused TTP. The results of the research have been briefed to leaders of the Future Force Integration Directorate.