USJFCOM Update

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COMMAND AND CONTROL (C2) SYSTEM TRAINING
AND TRAINING SUPPORT - A NEW PARADIGM

“Command and control [C2] is first and foremost a human endeavor,” states the evolving Net-Enabled Command Capability (NECC), which will become DoD’s principal C2 information technology capability. Our leaders need properly trained individuals and robust organizations to maximize performance from warfighter tools supporting C2 processes. However, warfighters often receive C2 tools with less than full design capacity, ultimately resulting in sub-optimal support to C2 processes and decision-makers.

The migration to NECC affords DoD an opportunity to institute a new training paradigm for C2 systems—that NECC system training and training support products be synchronized with materiel systems and applications development.

The NECC training paradigm can remedy many of the current training shortfalls. First, it recognizes that training impacts every NECC application, service, database and hardware/ software development and implementation, while serving as a system integrator enabling delivery of holistic C2 capabilities to warfighters. NECC also embraces the concept of making joint standards-based training available across the NECC enterprise to any individual or organization anytime or anywhere, providing system training and training support to the warfighter via a netcentric, Web-enabled environment within a service-oriented architecture (SOA) framework. Finally, NECC acknowledges the user and user training communities are best suited to determine the most appropriate training delivery method each set of circumstances warrants. Flexibility, adaptability, durability, reusability and ease-of-use are the core elements of the NECC training paradigm.

With NECC, the joint force will train as it operates—net-enabled, on its own equipment and in an operationally relevant environment, whether in a school house, in garrison, in-transit or deployed. Training will span the spectrum from individual operator and system administrator tasks to multi-echelon, collective tasks. Examples include combatant commander-directed exercises and mission rehearsals designed to prepare joint commanders and staffs to operate across the full range of military operations. Access to a persistent live, virtual and constructive environment (LVCE) will provide a cost-effective means to conduct higher-level training events more frequently.

Based on warfighter needs, the NECC training paradigm envisions C2 system training and training support as being an integral part of the acquisition process, end to end. Through net-enabled access, training is readily available at any time from any location. NECC will be compliant and interoperable with the Training Transformation pillars (the Joint Knowledge Development and Distribution Capability (JKDDC), Joint National Training Capability (JNTC) and Joint Assessment and Enabling Capability (JAEC)). Under NECC, training will be more dynamic and responsive to changing needs and capable of comprehensive after-action reporting. NECC will be linked to the DoD readiness system and postured to allow timely mission rehearsal and agile adaptive planning. Finally, NECC will be able to switch between real-world/real-time and training modes with a single definitive action to maximize the utility of operational NECC applications, databases and services for training.

United States Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) is the NECC operational sponsor and leads the joint combat capability developer (JCCD) team. The JCCD team, which includes representatives from the joint staff, combatant commanders, services and Defense agencies (JS/C/S/A), represents the warfighter throughout a capability’s life cycle, from requirement identification through fielding, use and retirement. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) serves as the NECC lead agency and materiel developer, supported by service component program management offices. DISA has established the NECC joint program office (JPMO) to fulfill its acquisition responsibilities.

Collaborating with the JS/C/S/A, USJFCOM and the NECC JPMO have made significant progress toward attaining the goals of the NECC training paradigm. An NECC virtual service desk and electronic performance support system provide distributed access to NECC capabilities, support and training resources, including embedded, distributed learning and the LVC data sources. Individual training products delivered as part of the acquisition process are joint standards-based and Sharable Content Object Reference Model-compliant. This will enable effective and efficient integrated training or instruction. NECC training initially will be online and, ultimately, will be tailorable for instructor-led delivery. By using the JNTC-provided LVCE as a service within an SOA, collective training may be accomplished on the user’s workstation at home-station or while deployed.

Training support capabilities provided by NECC take advantage of existing and emerging programs and capabilities, including the Global Command and Control System family of systems, Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative constructs, Joint Knowledge On-line capabilities provided by the JKDDC, LVCE integrated architectures provided by the JNTC, and other DoD training transformation initiatives. All NECC training seeks to maximize embedded or Web-enabled training to provide the individual with multiple delivery options. This approach enables more robust and joint standards-based common training across the JS/C/S/A domains. The new C2 paradigm will provide C2 systems and applications usable by warfighters to full design capacity upon receipt, enabling optimal support to C2 processes and decisionmakers. ♦

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Editor’s Note: Gary R. Chiaverotti is a contractor supporting USJFCOM JCCD/J88 as a doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, facilities and policy analyst.

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