SINCGARS (Single-Channel Ground/Airborne Radio System) Operator Performance Decay

The Single-Channel GroundAirborne Radio System SINCGARS is scheduled to replace the Armys VRC-12 and PRC-77 radios. However, SINCGARS is more complex to operate and requires more training. This study examined the decay of operational skills and knowledge in two groups of recently trained operators who went without exposure to SINCGARS for several weeks, performance levels were measured with the SINCGARS Learning-Retention Test SLRT, a simulated hands-on performance test emphasizing skills and operational knowledge retention. The results provided tentative indications that operators may lose about 10 percent of their prior performance levels within the first few weeks. This figure is expected to vary considerably, depending on the type of soldier, the length of the nonexposure period, and other conditions. It was also found that performance level was correlated with soldiers Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery ASVAB General Technical GT scores. Correlations between GT and SLRT scores obtained at two different times were .43 and .50, respectively. However, no relation was observed between performance decay and GT. Further evaluation of operator performance decay needs to be done to determine the effect of longer periods of nonexposure e.g., 60 and 90 days.