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The USMC Marksmanship Transition

Transitioning assessment models and tools developed on the Office of Naval Research (ONR) project Knowledge, Models, and Tools to Improve Naval Distance Learning, CRESST and the University of Southern California Center for Cognitive Technology (CCT) developed software for the USMC College of Continuing Education. The software, collectively called the Rifle Marksmanship Coaches Course Toolset, is to be used in the USMC Weapons Training Battalion (WTBN) Rifle Marksmanship Coaches Course at Marine Corps Base Quantico. There are four components:

• The Evaluation of Shooting Positions Module. Developed by CRESST, this is a Web-based tool that allows the user to manipulate a virtual shooter on a computer display to judge whether the shooter’s position is proper or improper. If the user judges any element to be improper, the Marine can adjust the shooter to the proper position. Scoring is automated to enable cost-effective online use in distance learning.
  
  
  
  Evaluation of Shooter Positions
  
  
• The Data Book Training Module. Developed by CCT using their iRides simulation authoring tool, this module provides Web-based interactive training on the use of the data book, used by every Marine to record actual shooting performance and consequent adjustments of rifle sights based upon wind conditions, distance to target, and firing speed. The module also provides interactive training on sight picture, battle sight zero (BZO), and shot group analysis. Learner performance is scored automatically.
  
  
  
  Data Book Training
  
  
• The Marksmanship Knowledge Mapper. This is an assessment tool developed by CRESST using the CRESST Knowledge Mapper. It assesses deep understanding of marksmanship knowledge—concepts and procedures and how they're related, with automated scoring to make it cost-effective. The Fundamentals of Marksmanship task delivered by the Mapper assesses knowledge of the cause-effect relations among marksmanship fundamentals.
  
  
  
  Marksmanship Knowledge Mapper
  
  
• Shot-to-Shot Analysis. This CRESST tool assesses the student’s knowledge of a shot placement given the relationship among the shots or the location of the prior shot. The objective is also to train them on the causes of shot patterns. It attempts to mimic the cognitive demands of what a Marine would experience on the firing line under slow-fire conditions (i.e., fire a round, observe strike, evaluate possible causes that affect observed strike) using a network of a shot-to-shot sequence of frames.
  
  
  
  Shot-to-Shot Analysis
  
  
• The Marksmanship Inventory Knowledge Assessment module is a Web-based survey measuring a student’s knowledge of marksmanship fundamentals that can be quickly administered with automated scoring prior to or following instruction.
  
  
  
  Marksmanship Inventory Knowledge Assessment
  
  

Additional tools for marksmanship training are being developed for possible future transition. These include general-purpose tools for building distance learning applications for instruction and assessment and a device with software tools supporting sensor-based marksmanship training based on a fusion of cognitive and psychomotor measures for diagnosis and prescription of remedial training.


For additional information on this research, please contact Bill Bewley at CRESST, email: bewley@cse.ucla.edu, tel.: (310) 825-7995, mailing address: UCLA GSE&IS, BOX 957150, 1400F PVUB, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7150.

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