[Narrator] United States Southern Command and the Defense Language and National Security Education Office, in partnership with Joint Knowledge Online, introduced a series of Virtual Cultural Awareness trainers covering Central America, South America, and Hispaniola. Virtual Cultural Awareness Trainers, also known as VCATs, deliver web-based cultural awareness and language training through a variety of interactive activities, including mission-based simulations, adaptive feedback, and checks on learning.

[VCAT avatar] Well done.

[Narrator] VCATs help teach the cultural knowledge and skills needed to prepare for effective engagement and appropriate communication in these areas.

[VCAT recording] Well folks, make sure you're in your seats and your seatbelts fastened. We'll be landing shortly. That concludes the security briefing, and keep in mind that cultural awareness will be very important during your time in South America.

[Narrator] Mission scenario simulations include civil affairs, theater security cooperation, foreign humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, countering transnational organized crime, and others.

[VCAT avatar] How do you think it went?

[Narrator] In all VCATs, trainees follow a customized course of instruction based on the selection of country and type of mission or missions. VCATs use game-based technology, storytelling, intelligent tutoring, and remediation to provide high-quality self-paced learning. VCAT simulations of mission-based scenarios model face-to-face human interactions that enable students to practice cultural knowledge skills in an immersive training environment.

[VCAT avatar] But is not reliable--

[Narrator] A virtual coach guides learners through the VCAT, providing both encouragement and feedback to enhance the learning experience.

[VCAT avatar] That's not quite right.

[Narrator] Real-time remediation helps trainees learn from their mistakes prior to testing and enables them to review the relevant material before retesting.

[VCAT avatar] You made excellent choices.

[Narrator] On-camera interviews with host country nationals and language experts provide a native perspective to help students understand the operational environment. Warfighters provide personal insights about their in-country experiences.

[VCAT recording] Engage with the partner nation--

[Narrator] VCAT Central America and VCAT Hispaniola provide learners with the opportunity to practice keywords in the target languages using record and playback technology. Basic language survival guides are provided by the Defense Language Institute. United States Southern Command and the Defense Language and National Security Education Office are delivering VCATs to help trainees quickly and efficiently develop operational cultural knowledge and language skills that are critical to mission readiness. Partnering with JKO to leverage the DoD preferred web based training capability ensures 24-7 globally accessible training for Department of Defense and civilian personnel deploying to these regions.