SkillDrill – A Modular Training System for Preparing Civilian Experts for Peace Missions

Abstract

The EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) aims to strengthen civilian and military crisis management. To adequately meet the security policy challenges of peacekeeping, conflict prevention and strengthening international security, appropriately qualified personnel are required. To prepare them for these challenges, the EU has created training institutions and initiatives. Efforts to improve training include all actors such as police, military, diplomatic services, non-governmental peace and human rights institutions and NGOs. Training content ranges from general mission preparation to specialized courses. In the context of international crisis management (e.g., in humanitarian disasters), many actors must collaborate. It includes civilian, military, diplomatic and humanitarian dimensions of assistance or intervention, which require extensive skills on the part of experts deployed to the crisis area. Depending on the task, such skills include analysis, mediation, and intercultural competences. Deployed personnel also have to behave correctly in terms of safety in fragile areas and make decisions under stressful conditions. This extensive knowledge is taught in training courses consisting of theory and practical exercises (e.g., role plays). Training courses always result in high material and personnel expenses. Further, certain skills cannot be trained sufficiently due to a low level of immersion. Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR) offer new possibilities for efficient and effective training. The SkillDrill project aims to address above mentioned challenges by providing a VR-/MR-framework to teach essential skills immersively. The framework offers modules for learning the following skills: (a) planning of international peace and humanitarian missions, (b) essential skills needed at the deployment site (c) self-aid and buddy aid in crisis areas. The framework consists of three layers of immersion (digital, VR, MR). The digital layer offers web-based course content on strategic planning. Course content like safety & security training (e.g., behavior at checkpoints), situational awareness and map reading is trained in VR to provide a higher level of immersion. The MR layer allows trainees to practice first aid skills for self-aid and buddy care on manikins while being virtually in the crisis area. This paper details the requirements analysis and technical specification of a training platform for preparing personnel for CSDP missions.

Keywords: Mixed Reality, Virtual Reality, Training, CSDP missions, safety & security, first aid, strategic planning, mission preparation

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005549