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click here. Knowledge Area Module V: Richard D. Blunt Applied Management and Decision Sciences
Student Mentor: Dr. Ruth Maurer
Walden University May 23, 2005 This paper develops a theoretical Framework for the Pedagogical Evaluation of Video Game-Based Learning Environments. The framework consists on a new Instructional Systems Design Learning Taxonomy to select video game capabilities based on specified learning objectives. The matrix uses an adaptation of Bloom’s Taxonomy of learning updated for the new media of video games. It adds needed research in the area of military game-based learning that the Department of Defense needs that proves, or disproves, the idea that digital game-based learning can improve individual, or collective, performance in the field. May 1523, 2005 Copyright © 2005 Richard D. Blunt CONTENTS Abstract * Table of Figures * List of Tables * INTRODUCTION * Traditional Learning Taxonomies * Bloom’s Taxonomy * Anderson & Krathwohl update Bloom * Framework for the Pedagogical Design and Evaluation of Video Game-Based Learning Environments * Game-Based Learning Taxonomy Model * About the Application’s Choice of the Video Game for Evaluation * America’s Army * U. S. Army MOS 11B: Infantryman Terminal Learning Objectives * MOSC 11B10 * MOSC 11B20 * MOSC 11B30 * MOSC 11B40 * MOSC 11B50 * Evaluation of America’s Army for Training the MOSC 11B10 Using the Game-Based Learning Taxonomy * Machinima Demonstration * Application * Evaluation * Endorsement * Conclusion * References * Appendix A: U. S. Army MOS 11B: Infantryman Terminal Learning Objectives * Infantry Training Brigade * McKenna MOUT * 172nd Separate Infantry Brigade * Pipeline * Bridge Crossing * Bridge Crossing SE * Mountain Pass * Urban Assault * Mountain Pass SE * 10th Mountain Division * HQ Raid * Collapsed Tunnel * Insurgent Camp * River Basin * 82nd Airborne Division * FLS * FARP Raid * 75th Ranger Regiment * Mountain Ambush * Swamp Raid * Weapons Cache * Weapons Cache SE * Radio Tower * Woodland Outpost * U.S. Army Special Forces (Airborne) * Pipeline SF * SF Recon * SF Hospital * SF Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) * MOSC 11B10 * MOSC 11B20 * MOSC 11B30 * MOSC 11B40 * MOSC 11B50 * Abstract 2 Table of Figures 2 List of Tables 2 INTRODUCTION 2 Traditional Learning Taxonomies 2 Bloom’s Taxonomy 2 Anderson & Krathwohl update Bloom 2 Framework for the Pedagogical Design and Evaluation of Video Game-Based Learning Environments 2 Game-Based Learning Taxonomy Model 2 About the Application’s Choice of the Video Game for Evaluation 2 America’s Army 2 U. S. Army MOS 11B: Infantryman Terminal Learning Objectives 2 MOSC 11B10 2 MOSC 11B20 2 MOSC 11B30 2 MOSC 11B40 2 MOSC 11B50 2 Evaluation of America’s Army for Training the MOSC 11B10 Using the Game-Based Learning Taxonomy 2 Evaluation 2 Conclusion 2 References 2 Appendix A: U. S. Army MOS 11B: Infantryman Terminal Learning Objectives 2 Infantry Training Brigade 2 McKenna MOUT 2 172nd Separate Infantry Brigade 2 Pipeline 2 Bridge Crossing 2 Bridge Crossing SE 2 Mountain Pass 2 Urban Assault 2 Mountain Pass SE 2 10th Mountain Division 2 HQ Raid 2 Collapsed Tunnel 2 Insurgent Camp 2 River Basin 2 82nd Airborne Division 2 FLS 2 FARP Raid 2 75th Ranger Regiment 2 Mountain Ambush 2 Swamp Raid 2 Weapons Cache 2 Weapons Cache SE 2 Radio Tower 2 Woodland Outpost 2 U.S. Army Special Forces (Airborne) 2 Pipeline SF 2 SF Recon 2 SF Hospital 2 SF Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) 2 MOSC 11B10 2 MOSC 11B20 2 MOSC 11B30 2 MOSC 11B40 2 MOSC 11B50 2 Figure 1: Game-Based Learning Taxonomy * Table 3: Game-Based Learning Taxonomy 2
Table 1: Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning * Table 2: Knowledge Domain * Table 4: Streaming Video Examples * Table 5: MOSC 11B10 Game-Based Learning Evaluation * Table 6: MOSC 11B20 Game-Based Learning Evaluation * Table 7: MOSC 11B30 Game-Based Learning Evaluation * Table 8: MOSC 11B40 Game-Based Learning Evaluation * Table 9: MOSC 11B50 Game-Based Learning Evaluation * Table 1: Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning 2 Table 2: Knowledge Domain 2 Table 3: Game-Based Learning Taxonomy 2 Table 4: MOSC 11B10 Game-Based Learning Evaluation 2 Table 5: MOSC 11B20 Game-Based Learning Evaluation 2 Table 6: MOSC 11B30 Game-Based Learning Evaluation 2 Table 7: MOSC 11B40 Game-Based Learning Evaluation 2 Table 8: MOSC 11B50 Game-Based Learning Evaluation 2
The term "edutainment" has been used to describe the idea that the commercial entertainment industry has much to teach educators about how learning happens, especially with reference to the allure of computer digital and video games. Games are seen by some educators as a useful and perhaps even necessary learning environment suitable for learners of all ages. However, there are obstacles to this marriage. One issue concerns the translation of "fun" elements in games to settings of institutional learning where intellectual content is king. Adolescent students often complain that they cannot see the relationship between school subjects and real life. Adult learners view the manipulation of teaching strategies for entertainment value as transparent and reject hybrid experiences as patronizing. Critics of educational game design say that products have erred too far in the direction of weightiness and away from the attraction of play. Indeed, "designers have been tempted to hold children’s play at arm’s length, by referring to games for education as ‘serious’ games and thus completely different from the idle pastimes of the young" (Corbeil, p. 163). A theoretical Framework for the Pedagogical Evaluation of Video Game-Based Learning Environments needs to be developed. The framework should consist of a new Instructional Systems Design matrix to select video game capabilities based on specified learning objectives. The matrix should use an adaptation of Bloom’s Taxonomy of learning updated for the new media of video games. Also, the framework should provide a way to help rate, categorize, or better understand the context of game design as it applies to learning.
Traditional Learning Taxonomies Before Carl Rogers there was Benjamin Bloom. Bloom’s Taxonomy (1956) classified cognition into a hierarchy of skills ranging from knowledge of specifics to comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and lastly, evaluation. Bloom said, "The major purpose in constructing a taxonomy of educational objectives is to facilitate communication" (p. 10). Although originally constructed for college-level instructors and researchers involved in assessment of educational programs, his system was eventually adapted by elementary and secondary teachers who found it useful in writing learning objectives that could be measured (see Anderson & Krathwohl, 2001). "We are of the opinion that although the objectives and test materials and techniques may be specified in an almost unlimited number of ways, the student behaviors involved in these objectives can be represented by a relatively small number of classes" (Bloom, p. 12).
Table 1: Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning Anderson & Krathwohl update Bloom Bloom’s use of noun forms to classify levels of intellect reflect the somewhat static thinking of educators in the 1950s; however, he did suggest a shift away from cognition as content by establishing student behavior as a defining criteria. Anderson and Krathwohl (2001, 2002) devised a new version of Bloom’s classification system into a multi-dimensional framework that made distinctions in the cognitive domain between process and knowledge, Table 2.
In this new Taxonomy, Bloom’s original six levels remain, now stated in action verbs, with one modification and one addition. Anderson and Krathwohl ranked the process categories from the simplest to most complex activities, reversing Bloom’s "Synthesis" and "Evaluation" and reframing the ultimate intellectual experience of synthesis within a creative realm. "Simply stated, induction, which is involved in Creating, is a more complex process than deduction." (2001, p. 294). In the knowledge dimension, they also followed Bloom’s thinking but changed the levels to range from basic factual knowledge (what) to conceptual (why) and procedural (how) knowledge to the new category of meta-cognitive knowledge, which they defined as "Knowledge of cognition in general as well as awareness and knowledge of one’s own cognition." (p. 29). Meta-cognitive awareness and creative intellectual activity, therefore, represent the highest functioning in the cognitive domain, according to the followers of Bloom and within the framework of a taxonomy of cognition.
Framework for the Pedagogical Design and Evaluation of Video Game-Based Learning Environments Game-Based Learning Taxonomy Model The new model uses a combination of both nouns and verbs to aid in the game genre choice. In this new taxonomy, two of Bloom’s original six levels remain, now stated in action verbs, in addition to five new levels. Each level has several "example" learning objective verbs. Each level, with its accompanying learning verbs, aligns itself to one or more game genres by the very nature of the learning verb itself. The model is designed so that actual learning verbs can be placed in the proper level directly from the learning objective sentence. The subject noun should be placed in the adjacent "content" field. From the levels and learning verbs, you derive game genre. From the learning "nouns," you get game content and/or subject. Another facet of the new taxonomy is context independency or context dependency. The first two levels, information recall and understanding, are considered context independent because there are no meta-cognitive processes involved such as synthesis or evaluation. Levels 3-7, however, are dependent on the context of the situation or experience the learner finds themselves in. Table 3 on the next page illustrates the new Game-Based Learning Taxonomy.
Figure 11: Game-Based Learning Taxonomy
About the Application’s Choice of the Video Game for Evaluation Table 3: Game-Based Learning Taxonomy About the Application’s Choice of the Video Game for Evaluation
America’s Army is a first-person shooter role playing video game developed by the U.S. Army and is available for free. Originally conceived as a tool to increase recruiting, the game evolved into a 24/7 session-by-session online gaming environment. Players can now go through virtual boot camp training both individually and collectively. Since its release on July 4, 2002, more than 2.5 million players have downloaded and registered to play the game online completing more than 40 million hours playtime. Players can experience the Army from boot camp all the way through fighting the war on terror. Appendix A gives a detailed explanation of each "mission" scenario available to play. U. S. Army MOS 11B: Infantryman Terminal Learning Objectives To evaluate the new learning taxonomy, The learning objectives for the U. S. Army Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 11B Infantryman will be used to evaluate the learning taxonomy. The infantryman supervises, leads, or serves as a member of an infantry activity that employs individual or crew served weapons in support of offensive and defensive combat operations. Duties for MOS 11B at each level of skill are (Army, 1999, p 206-207):
Evaluation of America’s Army for Training the MOSC 11B10 Using the Game-Based Learning Taxonomy Table 4 provides several streaming video examples of America’s Army
used in this evaluation and may be found at www.rickblunt.com/phd/kam_v_application.htm.
To view these demonstrations, you should use the
Windows Media Player.
Table 4: Streaming Video Examples
Inserting the learning verbs and nouns from the MOS 11B learning objectives into the taxonomy yields the game type most appropriate to choose for a learning environment. Since America’s Army fits the role-playing and simulation genres metered out by the taxonomy, the next step is to "play" the game to see all the learning nouns and verbs can be taught. The streaming video example of America’s Army evaluation may be found at www.rickblunt.com/kamv. Tables 5-94 on the next pages provides a summary evaluation. Tables 4 5-9 uses the Stoplight Scoring System widely used in both government and private sector organizations. The scorecard employs a simple grading system common today in well run businesses: n Green for success n Yellow for mixed results n Red for unsatisfactory
Table 5: MOSC 11B10 Game-Based Learning Evaluation
Table 6: MOSC 11B20 Game-Based Learning Evaluation
Table 7: MOSC 11B30 Game-Based Learning Evaluation
Table 8: MOSC 11B40 Game-Based Learning Evaluation
Table 9: MOSC 11B50 Game-Based Learning Evaluation
America’s Army video game is a very immersive, 3-D, real-time role playing game. Before deploying to one of the 23 missions, a "soldier" needs to complete basic rifle, obstacle course, weapons familiarization, and pass a Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) scenario. The game is squad-based, meaning up to no more than eight players in a squad per "side" for a total of 16 players online at any time. At the Fire Team, four players, and the Squad level, eight players, the game does a good job of providing familiarization with small team tactics. Only one MOS 11B10 learning objective, operating in Nuclear / Biological / Chemical contaminated areas is not covered by any of the 23 missions. The usefulness of the game for training purposes wanes through MOS 11B20 and 11B30. At 11B40, platoon level, and 11B50, company and battalion levels, the game no longer provides useful training because it does not support platoon and company level numbers of players.
Mark Oehlert is the Director of Learning Innovation for the MASIE Center, an international e-lab and Think Tank located in Saratoga Springs, NY. He worked inside the Pentagon for more than five years specifically for the Office of Readiness and Training in the Office of the Secretary of Defense on both the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) initiative and the Training Transformation (T2) effort. Additionally he helped create the ADL Game Research Lab and has been a technical reviewer for studies attempting to set direction for the future use of gaming within the Department of Defense. Mr. Oehlert evaluated the new Game-Based Learning Taxonomy and its use to evaluate the efficacy of America’s Army as a training platform. These are his comments: This work is definitely what the game-based learning community has been looking for for some time. The game-based learning taxonomy fills the gap between traditional instructional design theory and what we’ve been seeing with game-based learning. This body definitively adds to the scholarly research in a field in desperate need of same. It provides a pedagogically sound framework from which to evaluate COTS (commercial off the shelf) video games for adaptation to military training. Not only that, it gives us an instructionally sound framework from which to design original video games for learning. Up until now, most game-based learning has taken the COTS adaptation route because of a lack of just such a model to help us design from the ground up. This is absolutely a large step forward for the game-based-learning domain. The Game-Based Learning Taxonomy is a theoretical framework for the pedagogical evaluation of video game-based learning environments. The framework consists of a new instructional systems design learning taxonomy to select video game capabilities based on specified learning objectives. The matrix uses an adaptation of Bloom’s Taxonomy of learning updated for the new media of video games. It adds definitive research in the badly needed area of military game-based learning that the Department of Defense needs that proves, or disproves, the idea that digital game-based learning can improve individual, or collective, performance in the field. Also, the framework provides a way to help rate, categorize, or better understand the context of game design as it applies to learning.
Anderson, L. W., Krathwohl, D. R., & Bloom, B. S. (2001). A taxonomy for learning, teaching, and assessing : a revision of Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives (Complete ed.). New York: Longman. Army, D. o. t. (1999). Pamphlet 611-21: Personnel Selection and Classification, Military Occupational Classification and Structure.Army, D. o. t. (2005). America's Army: Operations (Version 2.3). Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army. Army, D. o. t. (1999). Pamphlet 611-21: Personnel Selection and Classification, Military Occupational Classification and Structure. Bloom, B. S. (1956). Taxonomy of educational objectives; the classification of educational goals (1st ed.). New York,: Longmans, Green. Corbeil, P. (1999). Learning from the children: Practical and theoretical reflections on playing and learning. Simulation and Gaming, 30(2), 163-180. Oehlert, M. (2005). Comments concerning the Game-Based Learning Taxonomy. In R. Blunt (Ed.) (pp. Mr. Oehlert evaluated the new Game-Based Learning Taxonomy and its use to evaluate the efficacy of America's Army as a training platform.). Saratoga Springs, NY.
Appendix A: U. S. Army MOS 11B: Infantryman Terminal Learning Objectives Mission: Squad "Loyalty" will secure three objectives located in the church and blue and white buildings. Your team must successfully achieve the mission objective to graduate from Infantry training and proceed to your unit of assignment. 172nd Separate Infantry Brigade Here on the pipeline map, you will conduct operations in Alaska, along the Alaskan pipeline. This map is primarily short range combat, and is live fire. You will be equipped with M16A2’s, M203’s, M249’s, frag grenades, stun grenades, and smoke grenades. You will also have access to night vision goggles. Mission: Squad will seize Alaskan Pipeline station at grid WA542679 and accomplish one of the following: secure the main control panel; stop the flow of oil into the pumps at the three valve controls. Terrain: Alaskan Pipeline Pump Station consisting of three structures; the pump station, the exterior oil tanks and a one story out-building housing the emergency shut off valve. On this map, elements of the 172nd Sep Bde find themselves on a bridge. Hostile forces are in the area. The bridge is the only route therefore you must fight in confined spaces. Be careful of blindly throwing hand grenades, as you may injure your teammates. Additionally, either side of the bridge are catwalks. These are accessible, however care must be taken, since it is a long drop to the bottom, and you are not equipped with a parachute. Available weapons are the M16A2, M249, M203, M24, and M82A1. Additionally you will be equipped with frag grenades, stun grenades and smoke grenades. Situation: Enemy forces posing as refugees have attacked the U.S. forces defending bridge at grid WS663429. Your squad, returning from patrol, is now on hostile side of bridge, and must link up with company HQ to pass along time-sensitive information. Mission: Your squad must pass vital intel to company HQ located grid WS763529 on east side of bridge. Terrain: High-altitude stone bridge provides the only passable route to the east. Adverse weather conditions prevent close air support. Bridge towers constitute key terrain. Bridge Crossing SE, provides you with a larger Bridge Crossing map, allowing you access to portions of Bridge Crossing that were not available in the first build. You can now go around and under the bridge, in addition to going across. Also the fog has been reduced, allowing you to see targets at longer ranges than before. Therefore care must be taken when exposing yourself, since enemy advanced marksman may be around. Available weapons are the M16A2, M249, M203, M24, and M82. Additionally you will be equipped with frag grenades, stun grenades and smoke grenades. Situation: Enemy forces posing as refugees have attacked the U.S. forces defending bridge at grid WS663429. Your squad, returning from patrol, is now on hostile side of bridge, and must link up with company HQ to pass along time-sensitive information. Mission: Your squad must pass vital intel to company HQ located grid WS763529 on east side of bridge. Terrain: High-altitude stone bridge provides the only passable route to the east. Adverse weather Mountain Pass takes place after either of the Bridge Crossing maps. The terrain here is alpine, with large mountains, chasms, and pine trees. Be careful here since you can fall into the chasm and injure or kill yourself. The defending force on this map has an advantage, therefore assault must make coordinated attacks in order to succeed. The available weapons on this map, are the M16A2, M203, M249, M24, and M82. Additionally fragmentation grenades, smoke grenades, and stun grenades are available. Situation: After securing the bridge, your squad was ordered to recover supplies lost during an ambush of a U.S. Convoy at grid WS663433. Mission: First squad, secure U.S. Convoy at grid WS663433, and patrol surrounding area for remaining enemy forces. Terrain: High-altitude mountain road twisting around a chasm. Adverse weather conditions (high winds and fog) prevent air support. Sparse vegetation and rocky cliffs with snow covered ledges. This is an urban environment, therefore field of view, and movement are restricted. Additionally, engagements can be done in three dimensions, such as the horizontal, or the vertical (e.g.: being shot at from a 2-story building). Therefore extreme care must be taken when transversing the streets. The objective of this map is to seize the objectives before the OPFOR. Situation: A coalition convoy was raided and the cargo was stolen. It has been confirmed that the insurgents and the cargo are based in a residential area of the city. Due to the dense urban nature of the area it will be necessary to do a house by house assault on foot. Mission: A squad from the 172nd Sep. Infantry BDE must conduct an assault to take and hold objectives cargo ALPHA and BRAVO. Once objectives are captured wait for arrival of friendly reinforcements to transport cargo. Terrain: Dense Urban mudbrick and stone housing. Thin alleys, mostly 1 story buildings with pockets of 2 story buildings. Surrounded by larger government buildings. This is the special edition version of the original Mountain Pass map. This map is larger, providing an additional objective, and new routes. Fog has been reduced on this map, therefore beware of advanced marksman. The available weapons on this map, are the M16A2, M203, M249, M24, and M82A1. Additionally fragmentation grenades, smoke grenades, and stun grenades are available. Situation: After securing the bridge, your squad was ordered to recover supplies lost during an ambush of a U.S. Convoy at grid WS663433. Mission: First squad, secure U.S. Convoy at grid WS663433, and patrol surrounding area for remaining enemy forces. Terrain: High-altitude mountain road twisting around a chasm. Adverse weather conditions (high winds and fog) prevent air support. Sparse vegetation and rocky cliffs with snow covered ledges. This is a night training map, in a woodland setting. MILES weapons are used, and only the assaulting team is equipped with night vision goggles. The defensive team must rely on the existing light available around the headquarters. There are existing structures that may provide cover, therefore both teams should take full advantage of the natural and man made cover, as well as the cover of darkness. The standard MILES weapons are available such as the M16A2, M249, MILES grenades, and smoke grenades. Offence o Situation: While performing contingency operations, local population has informed your unit of a U.S. Soldier being held by insurgent forces at grid WN172773. ROE: Positively identify all targets in compound due to presence of U.S. prisoner.o Mission: First squad extract POW at enemy field HQ, grid WN172773.o Terrain: HQ is located in a lightly forested valley. HQ is well-lit area consisting of 2-4 frame constructed one-story wooden buildings. Prisoner is expected to be held in the center of the compound.Defense o Situation: While performing contingency operations, your unit captured an officer who will be transported to higher headquarters.o Mission: Secure EPW holding area at grid WN172773 until transport arrives. Remember, under the laws of land warfare you are responsible for safeguarding the EPW. The EPW is secured in a holding cell in the center of the compound.o Terrain: Field HQ is located in a lightly forested valley.The collapsed tunnel map is another training map, which allows you to experience short range combat in a whole new dimension. MILES weapons are used, and you are equipped with night vision goggles, and the standard MILES weapons. Training Situation: Training Exercise using MILES. In the coming month your unit will deploy to an area where enemy forces are known to hide in tunnels. To prepare, your unit will conduct a training exercise in the National Response Training Center tunnel facility using MILES. Training Mission: Isolate and defeat enemy forces within the tunnel complex. Terrain: Tunnel is comprised of two 2-lane tunnels that are collapsed at each end, with a network of maintenance access tunnels creating a labyrinth below. A desert is the setting for this map. Combat will be both outdoors and indoors therefore you will most likely need to be efficient in your CQB, and open combat skills. Here you can use the Colt M4 Carbine, if you choose to be a rifleman class. The M4 Carbine is similar a smaller assault rifle with 80 percent commonality with its older brother, the M16A2. Mountainous terrain, and darkness provide cover for both sides. Therefore players must be careful where they are throwing grenades. Situation: Intelligence reports that a terrorist planning cell and training camp is active at grid WQ038333. Mission: First squad secures computer terminal at grid US123456, in order to gather intelligence information about future terrorist action. Terrain: Enemy camp located in high desert with rolling sand dunes and wadis. Camp consists of ruined multi-story building serving as headquarters, with training camp on western flank. Tunnel system enables both rapid reinforcement and alternate entrance to building. Intel indicates this entrance is to the south of the compound. River Basin is a MILES training map. It is set in very open and hilly terrain. MILES weapons are used. It must be noted that this map is very large and contains very little landmarks. Therefore good use of the compass would be very helpful in navigating around this map. Situation: Intelligence reports that a terrorist force has taken control of a logistical supply point at grid KD914347. Mission: First squad, plant demo charges under the HEMTT (Heavy Expanded Mobile Tactical Truck) to the North, South and West of grid KD914347. Terrain: Heavily rutted / eroded forest lowlands offer cover and concealment. FLS stands for field landing strip. This map takes place at an airstrip in the middle of the night. The only light comes from the FLS’s runway lights. Assault will parachute out of a C-17 Globemaster while defense will defend the airstrip. Situation: As part of a larger attack your squad will seize the FLS by gaining control of the hangar facility at grid IN193999, east of the DZ (Drop Zone). Mission: First squad seize the FLS by gaining control of the hangar facility at grid IN193999. Terrain: Field Landing Strip (FLS) located in slightly forested area. The FLS is well-lit area consisting of one small hangar protected by two trench systems on either side supported by bunkers. Surrounding the FLS is a fenced minefield. The FARP or Forward Air Refueling Point Raid takes place at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC). This facility is the state of the art U.S. Army warfare training center, allowing Soldiers to conduct combat simulations in all types of terrain including MOUT. FARP Raid is set in a farm environment, at night, and in high fog. Therefore care must be taken with grenades, even though you are using MILES weapons. Situation: As part of a larger attack your squad will seize a Forward Area Rearm and Refuel Point (FARP) and destroy enemy helicopter at grid IP201887, south of the DZ (Drop Zone). Mission: Third squad seize the Forward Area Rearm and Refuel Point (FARP) and destroy enemy helicopter at grid IP201887. Terrain: Flat cultivated fields surround a farm house, barn and four other smaller structures which are used to store supplies for rearming and refueling rotary wing aircraft. During the mountain phase of training to become a U.S. Army Ranger, you will use MILES gear to conduct operations in mountainous woodland terrain. In this phase Ranger candidates execute light patrol missions and conduct field training exercises in a low intensity environment. Situation: Intelligence reports small insurgent units will perform reconnaissance patrols of sites Alpha (grid WC951165), Bravo (grid WC940158), and Charlie (grid WC937150). Mission: Conduct ambushes of insurgent forces in vicinity of sites Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie. Terrain: Mountainous terrain with sparse vegetation. Dry riverbeds and hills provide compartmentalized terrain which affords squad with multiple ambush positions with overwatch. In the Florida phase of Ranger training, you will conduct operations in swamps. Swamp Raid was made to reflect this. This is a night time MILES map, consisting of an island surrounded by swamp. Defense on this map does not have night vision goggles. However assaulting forces do. Situation: Insurgent forces have established a command post at grid WD120564. Mission: First squad move to island by zodiac raft, raid the command post and retrieve plans and documents. Terrain: Post rests on a small island within a swamp. Post perimeter consists of multiple guard towers and a fenced perimeter. Perimeter interior holds numerous tents. The command tent is centrally located within the camp. The weapons cache is the first live fire Ranger map. This map takes place in a shipping receiving center and storage facility that is holding man portable air-defense systems (MANPADS). This mission will also provide you with the M4A1 Carbine with the 2x reflex scope attachment. Since this map will be primarily short range combat, no advanced rifles are available. Vents for the air ducts are good hiding spots for veteran players of this map. Situation: Intelligence reports that an illegal arms dealer is planning to transfer anti-aircraft weaponry to an agent of a known terrorist organization. Equipment stored in warehouse at grid WJ801165. Mission: Squad will secure and identify weapons caches (1st and 3rd floor) at grid WJ801165 NLT 230430LJUN03 in order to disrupt future terrorist action. Terrain: Warehouses with multiple entry points and offices. Buildings are unoccupied due to local holiday. This is the SE version of Weapons Cache, here there is a third location where the MANPADS are stored. Additionally the map is much larger, allowing more access to different areas of the storage facility. Situation: Intelligence reports an illegal arms sale of anti-aircraft weapons to a known terrorist organization. Equipment stored in warehouses vicinity at grid WJ801165. Mission: Squad will secure and identify weapons caches vicinity at grid WJ801165 NLT 230430LJUL03 in order to disrupt future terrorist action. Weapons suspected in main and southwest warehouses. Terrain: Warehouses are reachable by crossing an open courtyard, which is vulnerable to enemy fire. Most buildings are either no longer in use or unoccupied due to celebration of local holiday. "Rangers Lead the Way", is their motto. Radio Tower is set in the mountains during the day time. There are tunnel networks, as well as buildings, ruins, and mountains. Visibility is better compared to other maps, therefore care must be taken when moving around on the surface, since advanced marksmen are available to both sides. Situation: Intelligence reports that a terrorist cell is broadcasting via radio tower at grid WQ038333 and holding two teams of international aid workers as hostage. Mission: First squad, rescue the international aid workers in the buildings to the west (WQ018353) and southwest (WQ038333) and disable the antenna on the roof of the southwest building preventing its further use. Terrain: Multi-level buildings with basements located in high desert. Rough terrain affords cover and concealment with multiple avenues of approach to objectives. This is mission takes place during the evening and in a woodland environment. Rocky hills are dispersed around the woodland outpost which provides cover for both friendly and enemy forces. Situation: Insurgent forces have established a command post at grid WD192645. Mission: First squad move to command post at grid WD192645. Raid the command post and prep and destroy the weapons depot. Terrain: Rocky woodland terrain. Post rests in a valley. Perimeter interior holds numerous tents. The command tent is centrally located within the camp. U.S. Army Special Forces (Airborne) This map is a remake of the original Pipeline. The map is now set to night and makes use of Special Forces. The objectives remain the same, where assault must either access the computer, or turn off all the valves. Situation: Terrorist forces have captured Alaskan Pipeline pump station at grid WA542679, with the intent of creating an environmental disaster. Mission: Squad will seize Alaskan Pipeline station at grid WA542679 and accomplish one of the following: secure the main control panel; stop the flow of oil into the pumps at the three valve controls. Terrain: Alaskan Pipeline Pump Station consisting of three structures; the pump station, the exterior oil tanks and a one story out-building housing the emergency shut off valve. Here is the SF Reconnaissance map. It is located in a desert environment. This map is primarily long range battle, and is live fire. The Counter-recon team must practice good communication skills. For the Special recon team stealth can be the key to winning this battle. Properly identifying friend or foe is vital on this map because your team is mixed with U.S. and Indigenous Forces. Special Forces will be equipped with SOP mod M4’s, SPR’s, frag grenades, stun grenades, incendiary grenades and smoke grenades. Indigenous Forces will be equipped with RPK’s, AK74su’s and RPG’s SF will also have access to night vision goggles, Indigenous Forces will not. Special Reconnaissance o Situation: Resistance forces in Unconventional Warfare Area of Operations (UWAO) TURTLE report that enemy forces have stationed rotary aviation assets at an airstrip, vicinity grid ZY073180. Repeated attempts by Resistance fighters to assess enemy forces at this location have failed.o Mission: ODA 211 and Resistance forces recon Objective FORBES at grid ZY 073180 NLT 31 0300 JUL 04 to identify enemy aviation assets in order to assess Resistance air defense requirements in UWAO TURTLE.o Terrain: The airstrip is located in a valley, surrounded by an extensive minefield and barbed wire.Counter Reconnaissance o Situation: Resistance forces in Unconventional Warfare Area of Operations (UWAO) TURTLE have established a HIND-D aviation detachment at a clandestine airfield, vicinity ZY073180. Enemy forces have dispatched reconnaissance teams to gather intelligence at this location.o Mission: ODA 212 and Resistance forces secure Objective FORBES commencing 31 0100 JUL 04 to protect Resistance aviation assets in order to prevent enemy intelligence collection.o Terrain: The airstrip is located in a valley, surrounded by an extensive minefield and barbed wire.This Special Forces map provides a MOUT environment where civilians are around, therefore fire discipline must be exercised. The area consists of a two story hospital, and several surrounding buildings and complexes. There are three entrance points into the hospital, and three entrance points for the escort team to escort the VIP to the extraction point. This mission places a Special Forces A-Team combined with Indigenous Forces to conduct MOUT and CQB operations. It must be emphasized that civilians are in the area, and rules of engagement strictly prohibits any civilian casualties. Last but not least, access points in the game such as doorways may not be accessible. These will depend on how many people are on the server. The more people the more access. Situation: Following an ambush by enemy forces, a wounded Resistance leader escaped to a neutral hospital for treatment of his wounds. The leader is a critical member of the Resistance government within Unconventional Warfare Area of Operations (UWAO) JAZZ. Mission: ODA 212 assaults Objective KUHIO, vicinity ZZ 031441, commencing 14 0700 MAR 04, to exfiltrate the friendly Resistance leader in order to maintain continuity of Resistance leadership in UWAO JAZZ. Terrain: The hospital is located in a no-man’s land between friendly and enemy forces operating within the city. Many civilians are operating in the hospital and scattered throughout the area. SF Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) As a Special Forces Soldier, you are tasked to do many types of operations. One such mission is combat search and rescue, or CSAR. An American UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter has crashed, therefore friendly forces must conduct a combat search and rescue mission. This is another MOUT/CQB style map, but without any civilians in the area. Special Forces will be reinforced by Indigenous Soldiers. It must be noted that both OPFOR and IF are armed with the RPG-7, therefore appropriate precautions must be taken. Additionally, as with all maps with IF, proper target identification is important. Situation: U.S. Blackhawk helicopter shot down vic WR 987777. UAV confirms one crewman alive. Mission: ODA 20-2, conduct Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR), secure crash site point Alpha (vic WR990780) and wait for arrival of friendly reinforcements. Terrain: Partially destroyed mudbrick compound in high desert offering numerous covered and concealed positions. Pipeline Bridge Crossing Bridge Crossing SE Mountain Pass Urban Assault Mountain Pass SE HQ Raid Collapsed Tunnel Insurgent Camp River Basin FLS FARP Raid Mountain Ambush Swamp Raid Weapons Cache Weapons Cache SE Radio Tower Woodland Outpost Pipeline SF SF Recon SF Hospital SF CSAR
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