Return-Path: <sentto-279987-4213-1010245674-fc=all.net@returns.groups.yahoo.com> Delivered-To: fc@all.net Received: from 204.181.12.215 [204.181.12.215] by localhost with POP3 (fetchmail-5.7.4) for fc@localhost (single-drop); Sat, 05 Jan 2002 07:49:08 -0800 (PST) Received: (qmail 15330 invoked by uid 510); 5 Jan 2002 15:48:12 -0000 Received: from n34.groups.yahoo.com (216.115.96.84) by all.net with SMTP; 5 Jan 2002 15:48:12 -0000 X-eGroups-Return: sentto-279987-4213-1010245674-fc=all.net@returns.groups.yahoo.com Received: from [216.115.97.188] by n34.groups.yahoo.com with NNFMP; 05 Jan 2002 15:47:54 -0000 X-Sender: fc@red.all.net X-Apparently-To: iwar@onelist.com Received: (EGP: mail-8_0_1_3); 5 Jan 2002 15:47:54 -0000 Received: (qmail 64729 invoked from network); 5 Jan 2002 15:47:53 -0000 Received: from unknown (216.115.97.171) by m2.grp.snv.yahoo.com with QMQP; 5 Jan 2002 15:47:53 -0000 Received: from unknown (HELO red.all.net) (12.232.125.69) by mta3.grp.snv.yahoo.com with SMTP; 5 Jan 2002 15:47:53 -0000 Received: (from fc@localhost) by red.all.net (8.11.2/8.11.2) id g05FmCQ20612 for iwar@onelist.com; Sat, 5 Jan 2002 07:48:12 -0800 Message-Id: <200201051548.g05FmCQ20612@red.all.net> To: iwar@onelist.com (Information Warfare Mailing List) Organization: I'm not allowed to say X-Mailer: don't even ask X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.5 PL3] From: Fred Cohen <fc@all.net> X-Yahoo-Profile: fcallnet Mailing-List: list iwar@yahoogroups.com; contact iwar-owner@yahoogroups.com Delivered-To: mailing list iwar@yahoogroups.com Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: <mailto:iwar-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com> Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2002 07:48:11 -0800 (PST) Subject: [iwar] [fc:Marines.used.DOOM.for.training] Reply-To: iwar@yahoogroups.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit source: http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=3987 OpFlash Marine Corps Interview - 04 January 2002 00:00 - John [JCal] Callaham User Comments : 5 Several years ago, a section of the United States Marine Corps modified id Software's Doom to act as a training tool and "Marine Doom" became one of the most well known mods for a game ever created. Now the USMC is once again using a modified PC game to further train its troops with Operation: Flashpoint. Coalescent Technologies Corporation is the company that modified the hit military action game for the USMC with the assistance of the game's developer Bohemia Interactive Studios. HomeLAN got a chance to chat with Michael Woodman, the program manager at Coalescent Technologies to find out more about what they are doing to fashion Operation: Flashpoint for the Marine Corps. HomeLAN - First, what can you tell us about your company Coalescent Technologies? Michael Woodman - Coalescent Technologies Corporation is a professional engineering firm that provides sophisticated engineering products and services to the Department of Defense, federal agencies, and commercial clients. Established in 1995, Coalescent is privately owned and operated with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. We maintain divisional offices in the mid-Atlantic region and Southern California. Our mission is to satisfy our customers by providing high quality products and services, with an emphasis on creativity and excellence in execution, while maintaining budgetary and scheduling objectives. Our staff includes recognized leaders and performers in electrical and digital engineering, enterprise-level intranets, information technologies, radio frequency identification, modeling, simulation and training. Coalescent boasts a highly talented and experienced multimedia lab, specializing in 3-D modeling and rendering, animation, and large-scale intranet site development. Coalescent Technologies Corporation has been awarded five large, competitive prime contracts from the U.S. Navy. These wide-ranging omnibus contracts have included the analysis, design and development of world-wide learning networks, weapon simulation systems, wireless tracking products, and the development of concepts for weapon systems. HomeLAN - How did the idea come about for the company to modify Operation: Flashpoint for the U.S Marine Corps? Michael Woodman - The original impetus for using a modified commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) first-person shooter game as part of the USMC training regimen came from a visionary infantry officer, Captain J.E. Smith, USMC. He convinced the Marine Corps Systems Command to fund Coalescent Technologies to establish two experimental labs (Quantico, VA and Orlando, FL) to determine the validity of personal computer-based games as training devices. The success of these experimental labs led to funding by the Office of Naval Research for Coalescent Technologies to conduct an Advanced Technology Demonstration and experiment in conjunction with the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab's "Project Metropolis." This project was looking specifically at tactics, techniques, and training for Military Operations on Urban Terrain. These original experiments used other COTS games. When Operation Flashpoint became available, the new requirements officer, 1stLt Don Mathes, USMC, immediately recognized it as a superior baseline product with which we could achieve our goals of providing a low-cost training tool. Some of the specific capabilities of Operation Flashpoint that make it an ideal game to modify for the Marine Corps are: Loading Marines inside vehicles for amphibious and armored assaults; Loading Marines inside helicopters for helicopterborne assaults; Using vehicles and aircraft interactively for fire support; Using the Mission Planner to create specific scenarios for the Marines to execute; Incorporating vast areas of geo-specific terrain HomeLAN - Was there skepticism from the USMC about using a PC game as a basis for a training program? Michael Woodman - The Marine Corps has a fairly lengthy association with PC games. In spite of the somewhat lackluster reception of "Marine Doom," there is a large acceptance of the potential for training by PC games. Coalescent Technologies, through its experiments, has gained quite a number of converts. HomeLAN - How has Bohemia Interactive Studios helped in modifying the game for your needs? Michael Woodman - Bohemia Interactive Studio and Coalescent Technologies have worked very closely to create new models specific to the Marine Corps. These include: AV-8B Harrier II; CH-53 Sea Stallion Helicopter; MV-22 Osprey Tilt-Rotor Aircraft; AAV-P7 Armored Assault Vehicle; AAAV Advanced Armored Assault Vehicle; LAV-AT Light Armored Vehicle (Anti-Tank variant); M-249 Squad Assault Weapon; USMC Desert Camouflage Uniform. HomeLAN - Can you describe specifically what Coalescent has done to the game to make it work for the USMC program? Michael Woodman - In addition to the models listed above, we are working on dozens of additional models, including models and artificial intelligence for the non-lethal environment, or Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW). We are also working on real-time, interactive, voice-recognition fire support for mortars, artillery, Naval Surface Fire Support, and Close Air Support. HomeLAN - So far what has the response been from the Marines who have used the program? Michael Woodman - Very positive. Some examples: "The controls were easy to remember, the graphics were exceptional and it simulated everything you could do in combat. Overall I was quite impressed." "We didn't learn on our first try, but learned from our mistakes and then successfully completed the mission." "I think this system would be great on ship. It would turn a lot of dead time into something constructive." "I was able to think as a rifleman and use fire team skills." "It seems like it would be very useful because it keeps a Marine thinking about different situations and scenarios. It is also fun to use which keeps our interest and attention." "It made me think a lot as if I was in a real situation." HomeLAN - We have read that the entire USMC modification will not be released to the public. Why was this decision made? Michael Woodman - The entire USMC modification will use the BIS/Coalescent Technologies Virtual Battlefield System (VBS), which is based upon the Operation Flashpoint engine but is an advanced military application. VBS incorporates the changes listed earlier. As such, much of what is created will not work with the COTS Operation Flashpoint. Additionally, some of what will be created will be classified. HomeLAN - Will at least parts of the program be released to the public, such as new vehicles and such? Michael Woodman - Some of the models may be released. BIS and Coalescent Technologies will have discussions in the future as to exactly which models. HomeLAN - Does Coalescent Technologies plan to continue using Operation: Flashpoint for other training programs? Michael Woodman - Coalescent Technologies will be using VBS for other training programs. We already have interest from the US Army, US Navy, and other nations such as Australia, Singapore, and Israel. Further, we are working on a Law Enforcement/First Responders version that has interest from the US Secret Service, local police and fire departments, and other agencies. HomeLAN - Finally, what do you think of this growing trend of using off-the-shelf PC games to help train the US military? Michael Woodman - I've been following it with great interest. I believe that there is great value in using COTS games as a low-cost training tool provided that they are used in the proper manner: specific scenarios with mission statements and objectives, using proper tactics, and using proper briefing and debriefing techniques. We have found these training systems to be very effective for practicing command, control, communications, and coordination. Links Official Operation: Flashpoint web site Virtual Battlefield System web site Coalescent Technologies Corporation ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Tiny Wireless Camera under $80! Order Now! FREE VCR Commander! Click Here - Only 1 Day Left! http://us.click.yahoo.com/WoOlbB/7.PDAA/ySSFAA/kgFolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> ------------------ http://all.net/ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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