Ft. Huachuca Simulator Teaches Muslim Nuance
By Som Lisaius, KOLD 13 News
April 30, 2009
A Screenshot from InVisM's Army 360
cultural simulation program
With music, actors, action and explosions, you might think you're watching a movie or maybe an elaborate video game. But that's not the case. What this is actually is a DVD-based learning tool--and it's used by the United States Army.
From questions and answers to actions and reactions, this is a Cultural Awareness Simulation Program. And this particular module focuses on just about anything a soldier might encounter in Iraq.
"Traditional Islamic culture shapes Iraqi life," says the voice, narrating the program's introduction.
It's a history lesson, an etiquette manual and a general guide to making the right decisions in a foreign land. If, for instance, you mistake a Sunni Muslim for a Shi'a Muslim--you might get away with it the first time. But if you automatically assume every child you meet has good intentions, well--the outcome could be disastrous.
"I'm gonna assume that was the wrong answer."
Sgt. Jeremy Lerette has served in Iraq and experienced the simulator firsthand. He says it's uncanny how accurate the program is, especially in terms of preparing soldiers for what could happen and how to deal with it, when it does.
"If we come under an IED strike, if we find ourself at a TCP or somebody comes by to do a pray and spray--whatever it is that happens, what are you going to do, how are you going to react?" Sgt. Lerette asks. "They actually do a very good job of depicting that in these videos and throughout these scenarios."
A total of 12 scenarios, that are still in development by a video production company called Invisim. The Colorado-based company actually shoots the scenarios on an elaborate set in California, adding real footage from Iraq whenever possible.
The production is so elaborate, in fact, it includes 360 degree viewpoints so that users can surveill and interact with whatever comes their way.
Says Steve Wilson, Chief of the Training Division at Fort Huachuca's Training, Development and Support Center, "We have to have the realism; we have to have the relevance. It has to look just like where we're going."
That's why the United States government paid Invism 2 million dollars to create the program. It's already been sent to about a thousand soldiers nationwide. And in about a year, the goal is to have a web-based version available so that service members everywhere will have access to it via laptop, Ipod, PDA, even certain gaming devices.