The Implementation of Canadian Forces Individual Training and Education System and Mission Essential Competency Training Analysis Methods

The distributed and interdependent nature of modern armed conflict requires militaries that can function in collective environments. Given the considerable cost of training it is important to train the right people to do the right job in the right way. In developing its strategy to use distributed simulation to provide aircrew with collective training, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) questioned whether its training analysis method could be improved not just for individuals but in the context of teams and teams of teams. Currently the RCAF uses the Canadian Forces Individual Training and Education System (CFITES) to determine and address gaps in training; however, other models of analysis might better perform this same function. Training needs for the Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) have previously been analyzed using CFITES, and more recently using a different method, the Mission Essential Competency (MEC), used by Canada’s closest ally, the United States. These parallel analyses allowed an exploration of differences and points of intersection between the systems, as well as possible opportunities to exploit the strengths of each system. This paper examines the characteristics of the two methods and examines their application to JTAC training, noting process inputs and outputs, strengths and limitations. Our analysis suggested that CFITES addresses considerably more aspects of training with greater flexibility than MEC; however the MEC analysis process offers excellent output for structuring training, particularly with respect to operationally contextualized and collective performance. By adopting the MEC as a particular kind of analysis within the broader scope of CFITES it would be possible to derive significant benefits offered by the MEC method within the larger framework provided by CFITES.