| This dissertation examines the nature of role playing and role players within the context of constructive simulations. Four simulation exercises conducted by a United States Army Reserve training division were observed between August and November 1999.;The objectives of this case study were (a) to determine the process for role-player selection and training, (b) to determine role-player attributes for further research, and (c) to identify how role-player performance was linked to exercise realism.;Findings indicated that although role-player selection is adequately defined in doctrine, participating units do not always bring the appropriate people (company commanders) to be role players. Role-player training tended to focus on computer operation, and little time, if any, was spent on the dynamics of role-player performance.;Some positive attributes identified as being important for role players to possess were also attributes that are important for company commanders in general. Proper role-player selection could address these attributes. Other attributes could be introduced, emphasized, or reinforced by training. Training could also help to negate such negative role-player attributes as inactivity or boredom, unemotional behavior and communications, and flagrant violations of the simulation rules. Recommendations to improve training were the inclusion of a role-player coach/trainer, role-player pre- and post-exercise briefings, and the use of video/audiotape as modeling and assessment tools.;Role players impacted the realism of the simulations mainly in terms of functional fidelity. Their ability to interpret abstract graphic and textual representations of a simulated battle and communicate the action to the training audience as if it were really happening was the very essence of the functional fidelity for the simulation. In this regard, the role player was the critical link to realism. The degree of role-player performance realism was also linked to the level of training proficiency among the training audience. |
