Human Dimensions Assessment of the Task Force XXI Advanced Warfighter Experiment

This human dimensions assessment quantified the impact of changes in the work environment of soldiers and leaders who participated in the brigade level task force (TF XXI) Advanced Warfighter Experiment (AWE). The TF XXI AWE investigated the potential for digitizing land combat forces through the fielding of new technology equipment and accompanying changes in organizational design, tactics, techniques and procedures. Surveys and structured interviews were used to assess soldier and leader perceptions of TF XXI, the work environment, and organizational outcomes. The major finding is that as soldiers and leaders became more familiar with the new technology and its use, they were less threatened by it, and appreciated more the positive impact it would have onthem, their units, and the Army as a whole. The findings also underscore potential problems with a number of different but clearly interrelated human dimensions. One example is the new career opportunities created by this technology within but also outside the Army, and the possible impact of these opportunities on Army wide personnel retention and recruitment programs. This study contributes to the requirement to define, quantify, and record empirical information to more fully understand and respond to the human dimensions of the Force XXI program.Army Research Inst for the Behavioral and Social Sciences Alexandria VA is the author of 'Human Dimensions Assessment of the Task Force XXI Advanced Warfighter Experiment', published 1999 under ISBN 9781423553458 and ISBN 1423553454.