RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST AND EVALUATION
CREATIVE CONCEPTS
A Soldier wears a sports bra that served as an early mock-up sample for conceptualization of the Army Tactical Brassiere being developed by DEVCOM Soldier Center’s Design Pattern Prototype Team. (Photo courtesy of DEVCOM Soldier Center)
more effective, sustainable and long-lasting. Soldier touch points are therefore not a highlight in the process, they are a founda- tional element of the process. “Tis is how we will modernize our Army,” he said.
But what does a Soldier touch point actually look—and feel— like in practice?
Capt. John Sexton, a logistics officer with Joint Modernization Command, participated in a Soldier touch point at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, in late 2020 as part of the Army’s annual Positioning, Navigation and Timing Assessment Exer- cise (PNTAX).
During touch points, “Soldiers are exposed to a variety of solu- tions for a common problem,” Sexton said. “It provides the opportunity to get a good look at the systems in a low-stress environment and provide objective feedback.”
“It takes the technology out of the lab to determine how it operates in an open environment,” he added. Te result is an experience that is both informative and highly engaging. “Te vast majority of Soldiers would be thrilled to be part of this program,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew Pfannerstill, a member of the 41st Field Artillery Brigade who participated
in a sensor-to-shooter live fire exercise and Soldier touch point at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, in 2020. Sensor-to- shooter generally refers to the use of sensors or machines that detect threats and intelligently convey that information to the appropriate shooter. “Tis is a once-in-a-career opportunity to be part of something that has amazing implications for the future of the United States military.”
Pfannerstill sees the willingness of Soldiers to participate actively in Soldier touch points as critical to the product development process. “We have to be willing and able to provide the earnest feedback up the chain of command to allow for informed deci- sion making.”
MEETING PERSISTENT NEEDS AND RECOGNIZING NEW ONES In fiscal year 2021, the Army conducted 113 Soldier touch points, in addition to dozens of operational assessments and limited user tests. Touch points tested everything from on-the-go nutrient packs for peak performance to the utility of new camouflage tech- nologies, to Soldier interest in a long-lasting mosquito repellent.
Te U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center conducted multiple touch points in fiscal year 2021 through its Measuring and Advancing Soldier
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