Abstract:

The paper deals with the essential importance of the critical thinking for the cadets of the Armed Forces Academy especially for their future job provision. One of the possible ways especially during remote learning is to improve their knowledge and practical analytical skills via operational research including linear programming represented by the method of solving of the allocation and distribution problems within the planning of military mobility support. The paper describes the importance of operational research for cadets of the Armed Forces Academy and proposing new approach to remote learning of its distribution and allocation problems.

The subject of research of the presented paper is the potential of distribution tasks of linear programming which appears to be one of the most advantageous mathematical methods to support the effective planning and by those enhancing the critical thinking of cadets because they are forced not only to solve mathematical problems but also military one. The aim of paper is to point out the potential of this approach in practice on an example of 2 real-life scenarios which are part of newly developed education curricula for cadets.

A paper on a real example of the operation of military engineering units in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operation Afghanistan defines the possibilities of using linear programming for optimal deployment of these teams which must be computed and presented by cadets. The output of the paper are proposals for possible effective solutions to selected military problems, which can be solved using linear programming by cadets of the Armed Forces Academy. The main benefit of the paper is to define a model that is repeatable by other teachers and this could be implemented in a relatively short time.

An additional benefit of the paper is the usability of the models even in case of impossibility to use specialized software and computer-aided methods, because military problems are solved by methods that are feasible in a relatively short time without the use of a computer. This was an additional requirement, as computer support may not be available for cadets from various reasons.

Cadets with their specific competencies will face important, complex and demanding tasks, which will improve their mathematical, analytical, leader skills and will give them opportunity to think in more complex environment which will directly increase their probability to be successful leader in a future. Of course, it is also necessary to monitor and evaluate their results to improve their skills optimally.

Keywords:

Cadet, education, remote learning, critical thinking, real-life scenario, military mobility.