SPMAGTF(X) MOUT Training Program of Instruction

Observation and Description

INTRODUCTION

GAIN ATTENTION

PURPOSE

INDIVIDUAL TRAINING STANDARDS

MISSION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE

When questioning potential providers of information, assess the validity of the provider based on his/her ability for reporting such information.

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Without the aid of references and in accordance with this student outline, the student will:

1. List the three psychological elements of observation.
2. Select the three types of “attention.”
3. Identify the factors that influence attention.
4. Identify the factors that influence perception.
5. Identify the factors the influence reporting.
6. Identify the fundamentals of a good descriptive technique.
7. Select the personal characteristics of a subject required for a basic description.
8. Identify the acceptable margin (span) of error for estimating height.
9. Identify the acceptable margin of error (span) for estimating weight.
10. Identify the eight categories of build.

METHOD AND MEDIA

TESTING

TRANSITION

BODY

1. Observation: This is the complete awareness by an individual of his surroundings through maximum employment of the senses. Expert observation enables the recognition of any object or situation accurately, fully and clearly.

2. Personal Practices to Enhance Observation:

a. Practice continual and complete awareness so that you can observe and understand persons, situations, objects, and incidents.
b. Replace casual observation of generalities with study and observation of detail.
c. Train yourself to estimate accurately the passage of time, the speed of moving objects, directions, dimensions, distances, and unique characteristics.
d. Be able to visualize what takes place in your presence.
e. Acquire the ability to observe objects and incidents in terms of potential evidence.

3. Psychological Elements of Observation:

a. Attention - the process of being brought into the presence of a fact.
b. Perception – how something is seen and understood.
c. Report – the subconscious naming of a fact.

4. Three Types of Attention:

a. Involuntary – made aware without conscious effort.
b. Voluntary – requires conscious effort and control because of little interest.
c. Habitual – requires little effort because of avid interest or superior mental discipline.

5. Factors that Influence Attention:

a. Size – the size of an object, physical characteristics, or a person will usually spark someone’s attention.
b. Change – whether subtle of extreme, change will tend to draw ones attention.
c. Interest – if a particular object, person, place or subject is one an individual finds interesting it is more likely to hold attention.
d. Organic condition – usually the condition of a person, place or thing will draw attention to that particular person, place or thing.
e. Suggestion – this can cause a persons attention to more focused, or become less focused.
f. Repetition – the more one performs a certain task, or repetitiveness if thought can facilitate a more focused attention span.
g. Striking power – the dynamics of a person, place or thing can tend to make one more attentive.

6. Factors Influencing Perception:

a. Mental capacity – the mental capacity of an individual will directly influence the way one perceives specific events, actions or responses.
b. Educational background – the perception of an individual is directly related to ones educational background. Based on a person’s educational background, one may perceive a person, place or thing within the parameters of their educational background.
c. Empirical background – this refers to the physical or mental environment one has been exposed to throughout ones life. This is a key factor influencing ones perception.
d. Occupational background – ones occupation may cause him/her to perceive a person, place or thing in a certain manner as opposed to someone else with a different occupational background. For example, a Marine rifleman may perceive a combat situation much differently that a aviation mechanic or a motor transportation mechanic.

7. Factors Influencing Reporting:

a. Vocabulary – ones vocabulary may aid or hinder an individual’s ability to accurately report information.
b. Time lag – the amount of time that has lapsed since one observed a person, place or thing and reporting will affect ones ability to recall the specifics about a person, place or thing.
c. Intervening recurrence of similar incidence – similar incidents tend to cloud or confuse ones reporting.

8. Description: The technique of factually reporting the observation or the sensory experiences recounted by another person.

9. Fundamentals of a Good Descriptive Technique:

a. Learning the meaning of numerous words used in describing various features.
b. Building on the basic to the complex.
c. Learning a definite order of description.

10. Basic Descriptions of a Person:

a. Height
b. Weight
c. Build
d. Age
e. Race
f. Complexion
g. Sex
h. Facial characteristics
i. Mannerisms
j. Dress
k. Outstanding or distinguishing characteristics
l. Other distinguishing factors

11. Margin of error for height: Two inches, for example - 70 to 72 inches.

12. Margin of error for weight: Ten pounds, for example – 160 to 170 pounds.

13. Eight Categories of Build:

a. Medium – the norm
b. Stocky – add 15 to 25 pounds to the norm
c. Heavy – add 25 to 40 pounds to the norm
d. Very heavy – add 40 pounds and up to the norm
e. Slender – subtract 15 to 25 pounds from the norm
f. Thin – subtract 25 to 40 pounds from the norm
g. Emaciated – subtract 40 pounds or more from the norm

14. Weight Estimation Guide based on Height – Medium Build – Normal weight in pounds:

5’ - 115
5’1” – 120
5’2” - 125
5’3” - 130
5’4” - 135
5’5” – 140
5”6” – 145
5’7” – 150
5’8” – 155
5’9” – 160
5’10” – 165
5’11” – 170
6’ – 175
6’1” – 180
6’2” – 185
6’3” – 190
6’4” – 195
6’5” – 200
6’6” – 205

15. Height and Weight Conversions From metric to U.S. Standards and Back:

Kilograms x 2.21 equals pounds
Pounds x .45 equals kilograms
Centimeters x .39 equals inches
Inches x 2.54 equals centimeters
Kilometers x .62 equals miles
Miles x 1.61 equals kilometers
One centimeter equals .394 inches
One inch equals 2.54 centimeters
One kilogram equals 2.205 pounds
On pound equals .45 kilograms

INSTRUCTOR NOTES: OBSERVATION AND DESCIRPTION:

1. Introduce Keeping in Memory (KIM) game to students as a method of improving the students ability to recall information:

a. Have 10 small items (preferably military related) on a table. All items are to be covered.
b. Have Marines gather around the table, then uncover the objects.
c. Keep the objects uncovered for one minute and then quickly cover them up again.
d. Instruct marines to list as many of the objects as possible on a sheet of paper.
e. With continued practice, this drill should become easy. Further challenge the Marines by either using other items of by decreasing the time allowed to view the objects. You may also increase the time lapse from the time the objects were viewed to the time the Marines actually write down what they saw.

2. Utilize a slide show during class to increase each Marine’s awareness of the basic descriptions of individuals and weapons.

QUESTIONS

SUMMARY

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