Assessment of Communications Operator Proficiency

The U.S. Army Signal Corps provides the means for establishing essential communications between units on the battlefield. Within the various Signal Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs), a key role is played by MOS 31M, which is responsible for operating the tactical communications equipment used in units. This Note describes a design for research to assess the ability of such Signal Corps communications operators to perform their principal duties: (1) installing and operating communications equipment needed for a division or corps to communicate, (2) isolating "bugs" and identifying corrective steps in troubleshooting communications systems, and (3) installing antennas effectively and safely. The study uses the Reactive Electronic Equipment Simulator (REES), a high-fidelity computer-controlled simulation facility consisting of four signal nodes and 28 training positions. The REES tabulates all of the actions taken by each operator on each piece of equipment and records these data for later analysis of individual and team performance.