IDEAS Helps BattleStations 21 Redefine Navy Training

Battle Stations 21 utilizes storytelling techniques and tested immersive technology developed in the entertainment industry. By delivering the Battle Stations 21 training content inside a rich story and a high fidelity, immersive environment, the U.S. Navy achieves better retention, comprehension, and integration of key training objectives.

The objective of the Battle Stations 21 Program is to provide Navy recruits with the culminating physical training exercise in the final phase of their training. This entire Battle Stations Exercise is comprised of 14 scenarios each containing specified events (e.g., move aboard a ship) and scenes (e.g., small boat attack) that push recruits to their physical, mental, and emotional limits, requiring them to draw on multiple aspects of their basic training curriculum. The recruits must utilize the skills and knowledge they obtained during recruit training in an environment that approximates the stressors that can be encountered in the operational shipboard environment. Immediately after the successful completion of Battle Stations 21, there is a graduation ceremony where recruits are designated as sailors for the first time. A successful completion of Battle Stations 21 is required for graduation from recruit training. The objective of this program is for an enhanced, World Class Battle Stations Exercise that will produce a sailor that is team-oriented and better prepared with more confidence to meet the challenges that may be faced in today’s uncertain environment.

All Battle Stations 21 events/scenarios are designed and located such that the recruits will not be required to exit the facility to transit between events/scenarios. The Phase I Conceptual Design of Battle Stations 21 was developed by IDEAS along with a team of outstanding companies and was completed in July of 2003. As part of Phase II, IDEAS was responsible for the entire 12 ½ hour on-board audio experience. Field production, sound design and Foley was all part of the post audio process. The audio production portion of Phase II was completed in February 2007. Today was day one of a two day of a developmental experience design conference with our partners on the VESSEL team. We are planning how to make the Damage Control Trainer Game more engaging. This serious game is training all US Navy recruits how to appropriately respond in the event of an emergency on board a warship. That’s right, we’re working to expand the original physical training simulator to a game. The more practice and training recruits get, the better trained and safer they will be.

To learn more about BattleStations 21, visit http://youtu.be/jibm7kyIGcM to see the story from CNN.