Sharon Weinberger of Wired Magazine tips us to this story in Training and Simulation magazine by Gidget Fuentes about a new training tool being used by the Marines in California.  Some extracts:

• The Infantry Immersive Trainer is being developed in a 30,000-square-foot former tomato-packing warehouse near Camp Pendleton’s northern infantry camp, San Mateo, Schmorrow said. Once it goes online, it could pave a way for broader uses and requirements for the Corps’ version of immersive training. “We use the term ‘holodeck,’” said Tom Buscemi, director of the I Marine Expeditionary Force Simulation Center at Camp Pendleton, referring to the popular Star Trek show. “Certainly, technology doesn’t offer that kind of thing right now with holograms and that sort of thing. But we’ve had enough of the 16-inch, 21-inch-monitor flat screen. We need something that is more real, more interactive, more personally involved.”
•  The concept will use a combination of live — with role-playing civilian villagers and insurgent fighters as well as furnishings, doors and stairwells — and simulations and virtual effects that will include explosions, sounds and smoke, and interactive flat-screen projected images that show, for example, images of a room’s interior or a fighter standing by a doorway. All eventually would be tied into a constructive play that can be tailored toward particular missions, roles and environments.

According to the article, Lt. General James Mattis is one of the key drivers behind this concept and requirement.  General Mattis proves time and time again that he “gets it” whether it’s training or how to fight an insurgency. The really refreshing thing about this is that they are trying to leverage the gaming industry and not try and reinvent the wheel.  I may go to California later this year and will try and visit. We will look to do things like this on a much smaller scale, using existing video games and geospatial information systems, but also networked as well.

Hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend!