3-4 Cavalry virtually takes on combat

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brian Erickson | Spc. Colton Carlson, 1st Platoon, A. Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, mans the turret during a virtual combat scenario on the Reconfigurable Vehicle Tactical Trainer here, April 24. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brian C. Erickson, 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs)  

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII, UNITED STATES

04.24.2013

Story by Sgt. Brian Erickson 

3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - The advancement in technology has provided the military with more ways to conduct live action training without leaving the installation.

Third Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment “Raiders,” 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, took to the virtual world to complete a four-day training exercise, here April 23-25.

The exercise was executed by using the Reconfigurable Vehicle Tactical Trainer and the Virtual Battle Space 2, both systems work in conjunction to give the unit the experience as if they were carrying out live missions simultaneously.

“We are able to use both systems to tie everyone into the same mission,” said Capt. Grant M. Speakes, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3-4 Cavalry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 25th ID.

The systems allow soldiers to move about in a shared, immersive, first-person environment that supports mounted and dismounted operations, combat platforms, small arms and vehicle mounted weapons.

“The training gives us the ability to give soldiers solid repetitions to prepare for a live exercise,” said Maj. Dan L. Rausch, operations officer for 3-4 Cavalry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 25th ID.

Rausch said that live training can’t be replaced, it can only be replicated to set soldiers to better perform their missions.

Another advantage to the virtual world is everything happening during the scenarios is recorded and can be played back for others to watch.

“The ability to record what happens and replay it makes it easier to conduct our after action reviews, and learn from our mistakes,” said Speakes.

By using the RVTT and VBS2 the unit can drastically cut the amount the money it has to spend to be able to successfully qualify the unit for their upcoming mission.

• Date Taken: 04.24.2013
• Date Posted: 04.26.2013 21:55
• Story ID: 105950
• Location: SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII, US