Effectiveness of Standardized Training in the Special Warfare Rural Engagement and Mapping Course: Bridging the Agriculture and Rural Operations Knowledge Gap.

INTRODUCTION: U.S. Army veterinarians developed the Special Warfare Rural Engagement and Mapping Course (SWREMC) to address knowledge gaps among Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) personnel who support operations in rural and agricultural environments. The objective of this analysis was to determine if there was an improvement in self-reported knowledge and if the scale of improvement differed among the classes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2017 through November 2024, 96 students assigned to ARSOF units completed the course across nine classes. The students completed a pre- and post-course self-assessment questionnaire on agricultural competence and knowledge to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of SWREMC on participants' self-reported understanding of agricultural systems and students' ability to navigate these environments. 88 of 96 participants completed the pre- and post-course self-assessment. RESULTS: Of the 88 participants, 87 reported an improvement in agriculture-related knowledge and competency after the course. Students showed a statistically significant improvement in self-assessed knowledge from the pre-test (mean = 3.28, 95% CI [2.91, 3.66]) to the post-test (mean = 6.60, 95% CI [6.27, 6.93]). ANOVA analysis on a linear mixed-effects model revealed a significant improvement in gain scores across all classes, with no significant difference among the classes in gain scores. CONCLUSIONS: Although the sample size is small, the SWREMC demonstrated gains in participants' self-reported agricultural knowledge and operational readiness across all course cohorts. As ARSOF personnel continue to operate in rural and agrarian environments, the ability to understand agricultural systems, recognize informal networks, and identify opportunities for engagement is critical to building trust, gaining access, and influencing key populations.