Combined Army Operations at Brigade Level, Realistically Achieved Through Simulation I (COBRAS I): Report on Development and Lessons Learned

Abstract : This report presents the development of the U.S. Army's Force XXI Training Program's Combined Arms Operations at the Brigade Level, Realistically Achieved Through Simulation I (COBRAS I) training program for the brigade staff. The COBRAS I program provides structured, simulation-based training on basic staff skills for conventionally-equipped forces and consists of two types of exercises: a Brigade Staff Exercise for the brigade commander and his staff, and smaller Brigade Staff Vignettes for segments of the staff The report highlights the program's background and design efforts (e.g., task identification, scenario design), the construction of the training support package (TSP) materials, and the resulting exercises and TSPs; formative evaluation methods and results are included throughout this discussion. The report concludes with a discussion of lessons learned regarding future program development and an introduction to the COBRAS I follow-on effort (COBRAS II) that will enhance the capability of the program to satisfy the U.S. Army's training needs.