Page 24 - JSOM Winter 2022

Does Mental and Visual Skills Training Improve High-Value
Target Identification and Marksmanship Among Elite Soldiers?

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J. Jay Dawes, PhD *; Whitney Tramel ; Nick Bartley ; David Bricker ;
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Kelsey Werth-Bailey ; Logan Brodine ; Casey Clark ; Paul Goldberg ;
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Katie Pagel ; Tony Federico ; Dyana Bullinger ; Deb Canada 12
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ABSTRACT
Background: The purpose of this preliminary investigation The ability to recognize and integrate complex patterns in a
was to determine the impact of a mental and visual skills dynamic and ever-changing environment while allocating at-
training (MVST) program on a high-value target identifica- tentional resources to different key areas of the scene is es-
tion and marksmanship (HVTM) task among Special Oper- sential for SOF Operators. A crucial element to operational
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ations Forces (SOF) Soldiers. Methods: Deidentified archival success is how an individual perceives and reacts to a wide
data for 52 male SOF Operators (age: 31.06 ± 4.10 years) variety of stimuli in these situations. As such, efficient infor-
were assessed to determine if differences in performance ex- mation processing, sound decision-making, high visual capac-
isted between MVST program users (n = 15) and nonusers ity, and the ability to scan and process the scene in dynamic
(n = 37) on a HVTM task performed immediately after a Spe- environments are critical to mission success.
cial Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC) stress shoot.
Independent-samples t-tests were utilized to determine if sig- Mental skills training (MST) focuses on the development and
nificant mean score differences existed between groups on maintenance of several key skills and attributes, such as atten-
specific shooting elements within the HVTM task. Effect size tion management, arousal control, and cognitive-perceptual
calculations were also performed to assess the magnitude of abilities. For these reasons, MST is frequently used by high-
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differences between groups in each measure of performance. level athletes to enhance sport performance. MST has also
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Results: Statistically significant differences in performance been used within tactical populations with the specific intent
were not discovered between MVST users and nonusers on of enhancing operational performance. 8–11 Indeed, it seems
overall score (Score) or any individual elements of the HVTM reasonable to assume that the integration of MST into the SOF
task. However, small to medium effect sizes (d = 0.305–0.493) population may afford the Operator with a tactical advantage
were observed between groups in Score, Positive Identification on the battlefield. However, more research on the impact of
Accuracy, Shot Accuracy, and Kill Shot Score. Conclusion: MST within the SOF population is of significance.
While inconclusive, these findings suggest the use of a MVST
program administered by a trained cognitive performance spe- In addition to MST, visual skills training (VST) has also gained
cialist may have the potential to positively influence HVTM popularity within the SOF community in recent years. VST
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performance. More research using larger sample sizes is re- operates under the logic that performing demanding visual,
quired to confirm this supposition. perceptual, and oculomotor tasks can improve an Opera-
tor’s ability to process the information around them more ef-
Keywords: shooting; sport psychology; Special Operations Forces; ficiently. 13,14 Deliberate practice in the development of these
cognition; military skills may allow Operators to better discern between relevant
and irrelevant environmental information (i.e., threats/non-
threats), enhance visual search and scanning patterns (i.e.,
identify high-value targets), and improve speed of recognition
Introduction
while on the battlefield. 13,14
Special Operations Forces (SOF) Operators are highly skilled
military Soldiers who are required to perform their duties in The use of both MST and VT (i.e., MVST) may have signif-
high-risk environments, often under dire circumstances. Con- icant value when incorporated into the training programs of
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sequently, Operators must be able to identify, engage, and SOF Soldiers. However, more research is needed to evaluate
eliminate critical threats through the use of firearms. Failure the effectiveness of such training programs within this com-
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to perform these tasks in an efficient and effective manner may munity. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine if
jeopardize mission success, as well as put the Soldier, their differences exist between elite Soldiers that participate in an
team, and civilians in harm’s way. For these reasons, SOF Sol- MVST program on HVTM task performance compared to
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diers are provided specialized training exceeding that of most those that did not use these services. For statistical purposes,
conventional military Soldiers. 1 the authors adopted the null hypothesis that no significant
*Correspondence to jay.dawes@okstate.edu

1 J. Jay Dawes is affiliated with the School of Kinesiology, Applied Health, and Human Performance, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.
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2 Whitney Tramel and Deb Canada are affiliated with the Department of Human Physiology and Nutrition, University of Colorado-Colorado
Springs, Colorado Springs, CO. Nick Bartley is affiliated with South Metro Fire Rescue, Denver, CO. David Bricker, Kelsey Werth-Bailey,
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6 Logan Brodine, Casey Clark, Paul Goldberg, Katie Pagel, and Tony Federico are all affiliated with Human Optimization, Rapid Rehabil-
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itation and Reconditioning, Fort Carson, CO. Dyana Bullinger is affiliated with the United States Air Force Academy, Human Performance
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Laboratory, Colorado Springs, CO.
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