'Let the games begin' Soldiers train on virtual driving simulator

Photo By Spc. Alicia Clark | ASDT Instructor, Matt Pope, guides Staff Sgt. Angel Santini, of the 645th Personnel Service Company of Oklahoma City, Okla., who is currently attached with the 441st through one of the virtual training courses on the interactive driving simulator. Santini went through the Humvee driver's trainer course with three other members of his unit at Camp Buehring, July 30, 2008.  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

07.30.2008

Story by Spc. Elayseah Woodard-Hinton 

20th Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Elayseah Woodard- Hinton
20th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - Soldiers from the 645th Personnel Service Company of Oklahoma City, Okla., who are currently attached to the 441st Medical Company, had an opportunity to play while they worked during a driver's training course offered at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, July 30.

The day's training consisted of two parts, virtual training and on road training. The virtual training allowed the Soldiers to experience driving tactical and non-tactical vehicles in a controlled simulated environment. The students were given various scenarios to conquer on the system.

"What we have now are four simulators that we can use to simulate driving a Humvee, an ambulance or NTV," said Matt Pope, instructor, Army Safety Drivers Training.

The simulators are set up much like an arcade driving game. Each simulator consists of one driver's seat, a steering wheel and a gas and break pedal. To provide an even more realistic feel, the driver is surrounded by three wide screen televisions that are set up to mimic the windows in a real vehicle. Each monitor provides an elaborate panoramic view to help the driver practice situational awareness while navigating through the animated terrain.

Although it is a virtual course in a controlled environment, where vehicle rollovers do not cause damage and an ambush does not end in fatalities, the scenarios each student is faced with, along with feedback given during after action reviews, could help prepare and reduce these types of situations from occurring in real life.

The training proved to be beneficial for the small group from the 645th, whose military occupation specialty are that of a 42A, human resources specialists. The four Soldiers are tasked with driving armored M997 Maxi-Ambulances, while attached with the 441st Medical Company. This will be the first time most of them have driven a Humvee.

"This is just the beginning of the training today," said Staff Sgt. Angel Santini, a native of Puerto Rico, who was one of the four Soldiers in the day's training.

Santini explained that once training on the simulators was complete, the group would spend the afternoon driving an actual M997.

Pfc. Jarren Rhodes, of Edmond, Okla., who was also part of the training, said he had no idea what to expect before taking the driving course; however, after training on the simulator, he felt like he had more insight on some of the things that might happen.

The Humvee driver's training course proves that "video games" can be used for more than a source of entertainment.

Both Santini and Rhodes both felt the training was beneficial and fun.

"It's good training, it's designed to help people become more familiar with their surroundings, builds good situational awareness and also builds team work," said Pope.

• Date Taken: 07.30.2008
• Date Posted: 08.04.2008 08:42
• Story ID: 22088
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW