Research Summaries

Back Assessing the Effect of RAMS on Marksmanship-Troubled Recruits for Initial Rifle Qualification

Fiscal Year 2018
Division Research & Sponsored Programs
Department Naval Research Program
Investigator(s) McDowell, Perry L.
Reeves, David E.
Kennedy, Meghan Q.
Khan, Rabia H.
Sponsor NPS Naval Research Program (Navy)
Summary It is essential that each Marine have superb combat marksmanship skills. Recruits receive two weeks of combat marksmanship training, at the end of which, they attempt to pass a qualification (initial qualification). This training is highly demanding in terms of human and equipment resources. Although a large majority of recruits pass the initial qualification, the remaining must redo the qualifications with a different company until they finally pass. Thus, increasing the pass rate on the initial qualification would lead to reductions in ammunition usage, remedial training, and attrition.
One possible way to increase the initial qualification pass rate may be to incorporate a newly developed computer based marksmanship assessment tool. The Rapid Assessment Marksmanship System (RAMS) is a proof of concept computer based prototype for marksmanship assessment in which data from sensors and a camera attached to the weapon are automatically calculated into relevant performance metrics and wirelessly transported to a tablet operated by the instructor. Thus, it should enable an instructor to identify issues based on a single shot rather than multiple iterations, as is currently required. To determine if the Marines should purchase RAMS, it first should be ascertained if (1) use of RAMS leads to improved combat marksmanship outcomes, (2) the system has adequate usability from both the instructor and shooter’s perspectives.
We propose conducting a pilot study at Parris Island to address the training effectiveness and efficiency of RAMS. Five RAMS prototypes will be sent to Parris Island. We will compare the pass rate on troubled recruits’ first qualification who use RAMS during marksmanship training and troubled recruits who use standard marksmanship training. We also will survey instructors and recruits who use RAMS in terms of its usability, suggested modifications, and specific ways it can be used (eg, targeting troubled recruits).
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