The Marine Corps is experimenting with a novel approach to training its personnel, leveraging the power of video games to enhance cognitive performance and leadership skills. This initiative, known as Research into Competency Acquisition with Novel E-gaming (R-CANE), is a collaboration between the Marine Corps University, Virginia Tech, and the University of Memphis, funded by the Office of Naval Research.
Brig. Gen. Matthew Tracy, the commanding general of Marine Corps Education Command, envisions R-CANE as a way to boost "natural intelligence" rather than traditional training methods. By using a modified version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 7, Marines are grouped into fireteams, with one member leading the others. They engage in missions that vary in difficulty, requiring collaboration, communication, and critical thinking under pressure.
The game's custom-designed levels challenge Marines to adapt to sudden changes in mission objectives, mirroring real-world combat scenarios. For instance, a team might clear an office building only to face an unexpected ambush, forcing rapid decision-making and teamwork. Observers monitor player reactions and communication, and a large language model (LLM) trained on military policy generates prompts for after-action reviews, encouraging reflection and metacognition.
Master Sgt. Christine Monroig, who experienced the program firsthand, initially had doubts but was impressed by its potential. She found the scenarios aligned with warfighting principles taught at the sergeant school, enhancing communication, decision-making, and adaptability. While acknowledging that the program cannot replace live exercises, she appreciated the cognitive stressors it imposed, fostering a deeper understanding of learning and performance.
The current implementation of R-CANE is limited to the sergeant school in Quantico, with 75 systems and a capacity for 25 students. The Marine Corps plans to expand the program to other bases but is cautious, prioritizing data collection and evidence-based decision-making. The long-term goal, according to principal investigator Louis Hickman, is to integrate game-based learning into direct military training, especially for drone operations, and to develop an LLM capable of monitoring exercises and conducting after-action reviews for individual Marines.
This innovative approach to training raises intriguing possibilities, blending the immersive nature of video games with the rigorous demands of military preparation. As the Marine Corps continues to explore this avenue, it may unlock new dimensions in how soldiers are prepared for the challenges of real-world combat.
