Military Simulation

There is a military philosophy that goes, "train like you fight and fight like you train." And nowhere is this old adage truer than in the world of military simulation. This has long been an essential and crucial part of training. In fact, because of its numerous advantages and benefits, the military has expanded its use of simulator centers and training environments.

Military simulation is also known informally as war games. Here, the different theories of warfare are put to the test and in the process, the vast ideas and strategies can be further refined. Exercises that closely resemble live-fire action and combat are conducted. To make the experience even more real, units are made to spend long periods of time in field environments that are similar to the climate and terrain of combat zones. All these are done without the need for actual hostilities.

The main function of this type of training is that it prepares service members for the rigors of combat. Realistic training also ensures that a member becomes ready to deal with the harsh realities of combat. According to psychologists, training that emulates situations found in the real world will lower combat stress. Furthermore, this also lessens the likelihood of post-traumatic stress disorder upon return from service. Military simulation has been used as a tool to identify a person who is not considered fit for wartime services. After weeding him or her out, he or she may possibly be removed. It is also seen as a very usefully way to develop strategical, tactical and doctrinal solutions.

There are several types of this training. One of this involves the hiring of civilians to play the part of the oppositional forces, or OP-FORs for short. These civilians help intensify the realism of the combat zones as they are equipped with weapons and speak the languages of the local area. Another utilizes 3-dimensional virtual reality computers wherein troops enact combat situations ranging from maneuvering or piloting a helicopter to shooting down combatants.

Although military simulation can require a huge amount of investment, in the long run, there is greater monetary savings. It goes without saying that it is more cost effective to provide training that teaches a pilot to engage enemy aircraft in a flight simulator, than to let him do so in an actual aircraft that is fully loaded with various missiles. Making use of this will also equate to savings in the maintenance cost of real equipment.