PM TRASYS chief discusses various “reality” technologies

By Shane Klestinski, Associate Editor

Marine Col. Marcus Reynolds, senior leader of Program Manager for Training Systems, presented “How Mixed Reality, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Fit into the Military’s Training Plans,” during the Institute for the Defense and Government Advancement’s (IGDA) Military Simulation Training Summit in Orlando, Florida, Feb. 25.

IGDA’s two-day summit gathered over 300 senior training commanders, procurement officers and acquisitions leaders from across the military and provided a forum for networking and collaboration. This conference focused on training warfighters with simulation and synthetic training, and it explored how militaries (American and allied) are approaching interoperability with new technology and moving toward competency training.

Reynolds begin his presentation recalling his fellowship experience with Microsoft, and the lessons he learned from the research he did in various types of simulated “reality” technologies. He also clarified at the beginning of his presentation that his content “wasn’t what the Marine Corps’ view is,” but reflective of his own conclusions.

Next, Reynolds distinguished the different types of reality technologies because people tended to interchangeably use the terms, he noted, when those terms are not synonymous. Virtual reality (VR) involved fully immersive environments for risk-free simulation training that presented high-risk scenarios in the real world, such as combat or flight operations. Augmented reality (AR) presented real-time, context-specific overlays on the physical world for practical, operational training, like battlefield awareness. Mixed reality combines the strengths of VR and AR to allow interaction between the physical and digital worlds, which he described as “ideal for collaborative, realistic training scenarios.”

“Cross-command integration of these technologies facilitate joint training and helps different [military] branches to train together in a virtual environment,” Reynolds said as he described more specific applications. “Virtual reality could simulate joint missions with Air Force and Navy personnel, allowing different branches to interact and train in [various] scenarios.” Augmented reality allows warfighters to have situational awareness about overlaying key data, such as GPS points and mission details… Mixed reality helps teams from different branches collaborate on a shared virtual space while in the field, where Soldiers can train on tactical and strategic levels in real time physical/digital elements.”

Reynolds went on to explain that these technologies allow for joint training without the need for extensive travel or physical resources, making joint exercises more cost effective and scalable across all branches.

“These technologies enhance readiness and decision-making… and can be adaptive and modified quickly,” Reynolds said, shortly before taking questions at the end of his session. “With emerging technologies, the military is advancing its ability to train for various threats in diverse environments, whether on land, air, sea or space.”