Adapting Commercial VR-Based Training to Support AFSOC Cultural Competency & Linguistic Proficiency Objectives in Deployed Contexts

Street Smarts VR (SSVR) proposes to modify its proprietary software and COTS virtual reality (VR) equipment to create VR Cultural Competency and Linguistic Proficiency training to enhance training for AFSOC Mission Sustainment Teams (MSTs) and will conduct customary discovery and a feasibility study during Phase I. MSTs are composed of a diverse population of broadly distributed airmen. The overarching Agile Employment Concept (ACE) demands the airmen composing MSTs be trained to a common standard to enable rapid global deployment in support of a broad array of contingencies. Training is of utmost importance to prepare the airmen assigned to MSTs, particularly given the challenges of their diverse backgrounds, varied home squadrons, and limited opportunities to train as teams. As outlined by Air Force Policy Directive 36-40, language, region, and culture (LRC) capabilities are critical for the Air Force to provide effective global vigilance, global reach, and global power.