So What Did We Learn?

This first series of this podcast on military training has taken us from World War One to modern day combat operations, and a glimse into the future. Key take aways have been the continuities felt in militaries when it comes to changing direction – and the lag between decisions and impacts on the training pipeline. It’s a classic symptom of the A War/The War paradox, which isn’t new but time has not made it any easier on commanders, force designers, or instructors. The balance between live exercises and simulation has also been a constant topic during this season, despite simulation being in use by Western militaries since the 1960s. The part industry can, could and should play today seems to have become a less contentious topic than one might imagine – today’s issue revolve more around contracts and priorities. Yet military commanders struggle with the blend of education and training, about priorities, finding time in schedules and what optimising the force means. Training design might be getting much better – and their leaders are incredibly passionate – but questions remain. Season Two is scheduled to start airing in November 2023: we can’t wait to share it with you.  Thanks for listening.