An ad hoc committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will gather, review, and discuss the available literature on adult learning with a focus on learning in military environments. The committee will also draw on literature on adult learning in relevant non-military contexts and note the limitations of applicability to the military. When information is limited with respect to adult learning, the committee may draw upon research on children and adolescent learning. The committee will develop recommendations related to supporting learning in the military as well as a research agenda for the Army Research Institute. The committee’s work will be guided by the following questions:

1. What are the motivations shaping learning in adults? How do motivations change (or not) throughout the lifespan and how do these changes impact learning behaviors?
2. How do contextual and equity factors (including but not limited to task/situation; team; organizational; cultural, societal, and life cohort factors) shape the effectiveness of training and of personnel policies and practices? Where is additional research needed?
3. What are the most promising topics related to emerging learning technologies for immediate investment and near-term payoff?
4. What approaches to assessment and evaluation of adult learning and developmental outcomes are most effective? What deficiencies in the current approaches to assessments and evaluation might impede accurate measurement of learning and developmental outcomes?
5. What, if any, additional research investments should be made to better understand adult learning in the military context and to fully utilize contextual factors in achieving organizational effectiveness?