Army IG school seeks to simulate whistleblower investigations

To better train military inspectors general, the Army wants a training module that simulates interviews conducted for whistleblower reprisal investigations.

The Army IG School trains and educates Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps IGs, teaching them to conduct interviews and gather information necessary to support IG findings that can remain on the official record of those being investigated for up to 30 years. For this reason, the Army said, it is vital that staff learn and practice whistleblower reprisal investigative techniques using proven and highly effective training tools.

According to a recent solicitation, the training module would feature a series of role-playing simulations IGs could use to practice and improve verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

The contractor and government subject matter experts will determine the learning objectives and map out scenarios that let investigators practice their skills. The scenarios will feature characters that have realistic personal histories as well as variable traits -- such as motive, temperament, experiences and demeanor -- as well as emotional states. These variations will allow investigators to have a different experience each time they run the simulation.

Specific scripts would include questions and statements for the investigator, each with multiple potential character responses, including appropriate and inappropriate choices. The number of potential character responses for the total system is expected to be approximately 800, with a minimum of 350 to 450 trainee options.  Students will be scored on their performance at the end of each simulated conversation.

The simulation module will run on stand-alone PCs and laptops and online through the Army's AKO Learning Management System.

Read the full solicitation here.