Situation awareness in command and control

Abstract

Introduction Command and control (C2) is most often associated with military operations, but other activities such as air traffic control, emergency management, and police or firefighting operations can also be termed C2. As C2is a process of monitoring and decision making to accomplish a defined goal in a complex, dynamic, uncertain, and stressful environment. Consequently, C2is an intriguing area for applied psychological research, which is the focus of this chapter. In order to frame this review of the recent research, it is important to describe the C2environment further. One of the principal characteristics of C2is the high level of stress experienced by the performers. In fact, Lieberman et al (2005) found the stress of simulated military operations brought about greater cognitive deficits than alcohol intoxication, sedative drugs, or clinical hypoglycaemia. The stress partially results from the grave consequences of the decisions to be made, particularly in military operations, where these decisions are often life or death (Morrison and Fletcher, 2002). Other stressors experienced by deployed military personnel include social isolation, danger, fatigue, poor hygienic conditions, and physical discomfort caused by environmental factors (e.g., extreme temperatures, exposure to elements, noise; Grier, 2012). Current research on the effects of stress on perceptual processes is well covered by Matthews and Szalma (this volume) and as such will be minimally discussed.