http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/864881567

Surviving a concentrated threat : some considerations in cross-training for surge

In response to inquiries from the Combined Arms Combat Development Activity, the Army Research Institute in 1984 initiated a unit and force design project to look into the area of cross-training for personnel in preparation for combat surge activities. A process was sought for evaluating various cross for surge (CTS) proposals from proponent schools. The basic approach entails identifying the critical factors involved in the temporary re-allocation of noncritical personnel (e.g., drivers) to mission critical tasks (e.g., gunners) during periods of unexpectedly high enemy activity (i.e., surge periods). Unit activities were examined in terms of what must be completed and who is available during heavy combat. Also examined were human factors, manpower, personnel, and training issues related to CTS. Guidelines incorporating minimum necessary considerations for CTS were developed and described following an organizational design and HMPT approach. Three major areas are discussed. Organizational: identification of mission critical tasks and personnel; identification of the slack resource of temporarily noncritical personnel; training in surge-relevant skills; skills maintenance; post-surge readiness. Training: facilitating secondary task performance; need to reduce negative transfer of training. Social: motivational effects of experiencing changes in career progression; effects on group cohesion of massive personnel substitutions in critical conditions. Keywords: Cohort, Common soldiering tasks, Section training, Sustainability.

Open All Close All