Tactics, Training, and Procedures for the Warfighter Reacting to Crowd Dynamics

As the military assumes more missions involving operations other than war (including humanitarian operations and support to domestic authorities), our forces will come into increased contact with crowds of varying levels of conflict potential. It is vitalthat our forces be trained to react to crowds in ways that minimize conflict intensity. However, there is currently insufficient training focusing on identifying real-time indicators of impending crowd conflict escalation, and little training in reactingto real-time crowd actions in ways that minimize conflict escalation. The primary objectives of Phase I will be to 1) identify real-time indicators of impending changes in conflict intensity, and 2) identify security force actions that result in minimalconflict escalation. In identifying these and other factors from historical (e.g., after-action reports) and other sources, a quantitative model will be developed that will allow the prediction of crowd reactions to the range of potential security forceoptions. The results of Phase I will be used in Phase II to direct development of 1) a training program focused on real-time assessment of and reactions to crowds, and 2) a computer-based decision-support tool for use by security forces in predicting andreacting to crowd actions in real-time. Benefits of the training program and decision-support tool will include a lower chance of injury or death (compared to current training) for both security force members and crowd members, with an accompanyingincrease in the political and social acceptance of military operations other than war. This will be accomplished through more efficient and effective tactical intelligence collection, crowd assessment, rapid decision-making, and employment of appropriatelethal and non-lethal weapons. Upon completion of Phase II, the tactics, training, procedures, and tools developed during Phase II would be readily marketable to the military, and may be adapted for use by civilian police and other security andnon-security forces as well.