ITEC 2013 Wraps Up: ACT Focused on Incorporating Modeling & Simulation in Future Training Concept

Written by MCC (SW/AW) Hendrick Dickson, US Navy, ACT Public Affairs Thursday, 23 May 2013 13:27

 

During the final day of ITEC 2013 in Rome, Italy, NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) invited senior officers and stakeholders within NATO's organisational structure to discuss.

The discussion focused on how the attendees are currently using Modelling and Simulation (M&S) and what they envision in the future for these programmes.

ACT is the transformation driver of NATO's military force and is responsible for designing, planning and executing all training. M&S plays a significant role in delivering that training in an effective way that improves cohesion within the Alliance.

"Modelling and Simulation offers such a diverse range of application - from medical response to dismounted close-combat trainers," said Command Sergeant Major Marc Wicks, ACT Senior Enlisted Leader. "It allows us the ability to challenge our men and women in service in a safe environment and enable them to perform their jobs better in the future."

ITEC annually brings simulation professionals together to exchange ideas about future requirements for military training. ACT staff members led the senior leaders and stakeholders on a tour visiting various exhibits – each offering products tailored toward enhancing military training capabilities.

Following the tour, the members participated in a panel discussion titled, "NATO as a Customer of Simulation," which focused on the strategic impact that M&S has on NATO's ability to improve interoperability- by connecting forces through training.

"There is a solution out there that connects people already over the Internet," said Brigadier General Perry Matte, Assistant Chief of Staff J5, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). "What we have to do is not militarize it. We have to be able to understand it and build upon it to achieve our requirements in a logical, progressive, stepped approach."

M&S is aligned with ACT's commitment to its Connected Forces Initiative (CFI) which helps to ensure that Allied forces communicate and operate effectively. Identifying and taking advantage of changes in technology will allow ACT better serve the needs of NATO.

"We have to maintain an understanding of where technology is going," said Brigadier General Giovanni Fungo, ACT's Assistant Chief of Staff for Capability Engineering and Innovation. "We are developing a framework within CFI that will allow us to work more effectively as an Alliance and within that world, the bulk of the technology is driving modern solutions."

ITEC 2013 offered an opportunity for NATO members to see first hand the coherent possibility of utilising M&S programmes. While ACT and NATO leaders recognised that the Alliance is making progress, they also acknowledged that more can be done when it comes to delivering training to forces – especially where the traditional way might not be the most efficient.

"We need to maintain these conferences if for no other reason to bring more and more senior officers down because we have to get together to achieve a common view of what we need," said Matte. "Coming down here shows us some of the gaps where we thought we were doing things okay, but quite frankly, we can do them a little better. "