DR SKO MAKES VIRTUAL HOUSE CALLS


Te U.S. Air Force was a logical choice because its kit configuration is the least complex, it could prove out the concepts, and it could provide good feedback. Air Force user representatives accepted the opportunity to be on the cutting edge of this training and allowed the DR SKO team to pilot the new virtual training efforts with two days of inventory and handoff and three days of new equip- ment training, which was all conducted virtually.


VIRTUAL PRIME TIME Although the ability to train more cheaply and more frequently is being realized, there are greater opportunities for this virtual ability as well. Tese opportuni- ties did not become apparent until the COVID-19 pandemic shut down travel for new equipment training. Many assumed that the travel restrictions would gradu- ally relax, but the restrictions remained an ongoing coordination issue.


AT THE READY


An Army explosive ordnance disposal technician trains for an operation in a potentially radiologically contaminated environment while holding a 3D-printed FLIR Identifinder R-400 equipped with an Android phone running the DR SKO Devices application. (Photo by JPEO-CBRND)


It's a suite of highly technical and expensive commercial off-the- shelf instrumentation and protective equipment.


32 Army AL&T Magazine Summer 2021


Te pandemic halted travel to fielding and training events from March 2020 through July 2020, and halted again in January 2021. Fielding schedules quickly became unachievable, and operational capability delivery goals risked not being met. Te DR SKO team, in collaboration with the fielding team—collocated within JPM CBRN Sensors—initiated a review of fielding and training plans to identify the key elements required to develop and implement virtual plans.


Fielding events are complex, requiring significant coordination and planning. Tey also encompass transfer of prop- erty from the program office to the unit responsible for performing the mission. Te new equipment and the doctrine and tactics training also can be complex. Te team’s partners at TACOM Total Package Fielding helped develop the virtual prop- erty and inventory management aspects,


to ensure all property was transferred in accordance with current regulations. Te training team updated lesson plans to be more amenable to the virtual environ- ment and forged the way to use virtual classrooms in this new collaboration environment.


Having a solid plan was only part of the solution. The execution also required resolve and finesse. Te first site selected by the USAF to pilot this virtual training was in Guam. Te equipment was already in place, as it had been shipped for in-person training that was canceled because of the COVID-19 travel restrictions. With a 15-hour time difference, it was not an easy first challenge for virtual training, but the team successfully coordinated and executed training while accommo- dating the massive time difference. Te team also gathered lessons learned, which were implemented in the next two events,


INTERACTIVE INSTRUCTION


Interactive multimedia instruction on a Rigaku Progeny ResQ handheld analyzer training a Soldier how to properly scan material and view subsequent scan results. (Photo by JPEO-CBRND)


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124