LIVE’s VR Experience Delivers Dynamic Decision-Making Moments Designed to Develop Inclusive Leaders > Air Education and Training Command > Article Display

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas – Air Education and Training Command officials are rolling out a virtual reality experience designed to help develop inclusive-minded leaders.

In line with the command’s efforts to integrate digital age technology across the command, the Leading Inclusively Virtual Experience, or LIVE, program is a modernized learning tool that consists of a mixed virtual reality experience that uses a combining interactive scenarios with one-time dialogue to inspire individuals to engage in challenging conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA).

“LIVE sessions provide moments of dynamic decision-making and enable the learning of cognitive skills, such as emotional intelligence, empathetic listening and critical communication in a supportive environment,” said Maggie Laws, director of the diversity and inclusion of the CTEA. “Through experience, frontline supervisors learn skills by engaging in difficult DEIA conversations. These types of experiences will help fully develop the Airmen who are our competitive advantage in strategic competition.

The LIVE experience consists of a first-person interaction with an avatar controlled by an actor, followed by a lively discussion.

“While an Airman or Guardian participates in the learning experience, other members are engaged as observer participants,” Laws said. “This design provides an experiential learning opportunity for all participants in an audience.”

A trained LIVE facilitator will lead a scripted discussion where experiences, perceptions and ideas are shared in a courageous space, allowing for learning and, ultimately, reflection, Laws said.

“This is a great tool that should be considered for in-person unit training days, team building, and professional development opportunities,” Laws said. “Other options include courses like MAJCOM Squadron Leadership Courses, SNCO/NCO Professional Development Series Courses, First Sergeant Symposia, Captain’s Leadership Courses and Civilian Development Courses .”

Facilitators will be appointed by Commanders and must be E-7 or higher, O-3 or higher, or GS-11 or higher. Applicants should be confident speakers who also have previous experience teaching, teaching or facilitating, Laws said.

If selected, facilitators attend a three-day course funded by the SAF Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the Air University Eaker Center located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

In 2022, three facilitator training courses were held, training 52 facilitators across the Air Force. In FY23, the team will run eight courses, training 160 facilitators at 20 students per course.