Here’s some good news to report—and a challenge. As I attended the July M&S Expo it was evident there is a conversion, of sorts, taking place on the Hill. As more members of Congress learn about M&S, they are joining the Congressional M&S Caucus. Rep. Randy Forbes, the caucus co-founder, noted during the expo’s opening remarks that there are more than 22 members from around the nation, and from both sides of the political aisle, on his organization’s roster.
This caucus is the organization on the Hill to showcase M&S initiatives, promote the M&S industry and serve as the forum to better understand this powerful technology. And therein is an opportunity. The caucus has a notable absence of other members with M&S companies in their districts—which is the community’s loss.
So, here’s my challenge: Educate and inform your congressional delegation about M&S and the caucus. If you need a testimonial, please speak with Rep. John Carter (R-Texas), whose district contains Fort Hood. Carter told the expo that on his last visit to the post, at least one combat-hardened veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan deployments told him, “These simulations save our lives.” Enough said.
I also note the government’s increasing, and belated, appetite for more rigorous assessments of training programs and systems. Two industry members that provide assessment recently told me that gone are the days of having little traffic at their booths at I/ITSEC or another industry conference—their business is increasing. In this era of reshuffled DoD priorities and other dynamics, the services are increasingly asking: Is the training system or product a good investment for the learner and the taxpayer? Making that decision is not easy. MT2 looks forward to addressing this topic in our future editorial programs.
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