Celebrating the US military’s effectiveness in training and development

November 11, 9:18 AMWorkplace Training and Development ExaminerLenn Millbower

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Places please for effective instruction.

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Training & Development professionals have much to thank Veterans for.

The example members of the Military set in the selfless way they protect us all, and the results of their efforts that allow all of us to maintain out lives, live in liberty, and pursue happiness should of course be celebrated.

Additionally, our armed forces can be thanked for the inspiring examples they set when teaching their troops.

Historically, the efforts of the US Military in World War II led directly to the creation of the American Society for Training and Development as members of the petroleum industry attempted to document the training strategies used to win that war.Years later, a military study led directly to the formation of the International Society for Performance Improvement.

Today’s Military trains constantly. That way, members of the Military are ready for any contingency that they encounter.

Because war is dangerous and nasty business, training cannot take place before the actual enemy. Instead, a combination of Basic Training, lectures and information sessions, simulations, games, elearning programs, and live war games must be employed.

Boot camp basic training teaches required introductory skills, elearning programs teach required information, video games teach judgment and snap decision-making, and maneuvers provide in-field practice.

One example of a life size simulation program is delivered at the US Army’s Camp Shelby in Mississippi. At this facility, the Army has recreated an Iraqi village for soldiers to learn and practice required skills while deployed to Iraq. Called Theater Immersion, the idea is for American soldiers to experience actual situation they might encounter BEFORE being deployed.

Another successful simulation example is the US Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Pickel Meadow, California. Like Camp Shelby, this facility recreates the experiences Marines are likely to face while deployed to Afghanistan. With courses including Mountain Medicine, Animal Packers, and Mountain Communications, this program provides invaluable training.

All these efforts collectively add up to saved lives due to abundant preparation fro the unknown. We should all be thankful that the Military loses so few lives because of this aggressive training.

Perhaps we should also look at the Military example and, instead of cutting corporate budgets in tight times, increase training to prepare for the unknowns we face

Lenn Millbower, the Learnertainment® Trainer helps trainers, teachers, and speakers keep their learners awake so the learning can take through one-on-one coaching, keynotes and seminars, open enrollment workshops, instructional design consulting, and his published works.