New Mixed Reality Experience Puts Students at the Center of Army National Guard Disaster Relief Efforts

Americans are no strangers to the far-reaching impacts of natural disasters on communities, but what many do not know is what it takes to prepare and respond. That will change this spring, when the U.S. Army National Guard brings Disasterville — a new, mixed reality experience — to high school students across the country, placing them at the center of the most common disaster relief missions.

The National Guard remains a critical lifeline in communities across the country. When needed, National Guard Soldiers respond to domestic emergencies in their home state with capabilities across medical, aviation, transportation and more.

"Young Americans are increasingly seeking ways to make an impact close to home, but many are unaware of the wide-ranging skills of National Guard Soldiers and their critical role in disaster response," says Staff Sgt. Adam Szabo, State Media Services Program & Marketing NCO with the National Guard Bureau's Marketing and Advertising Branch. "Disasterville shows the possibilities of part-time service by immersing students directly into the complex, high-stakes missions of the National Guard, and showing them what it means to serve the community."

Read on to learn more about Disasterville and its mission to inspire the next generation of National Guard Soldiers.

Disasterville allows students to experience the high-stakes missions of National Guard Soldiers

Using advanced mixed-reality technology, Disasterville transforms high school gymnasiums into three, full-scale disaster zones that represent the most common natural disasters National Guard Soldiers respond to as part of their service, including wildfires, flood zones and earthquakes.

Students will work in teams against the clock as they become National Guard Soldiers called to serve at the following sites:

• Wildfire: Amid a raging wildfire, teams work together to push back fires encroaching on a home in Disaster Canyon. Students will put out small wildfires, combine forces to push back larger flare-ups, save animals and dodge falling trees.
• Flood Zone: After a major hurricane, civilians are fighting to stay above water on the streets they call home. Students will board their Zodiac and use headlamps to find and safely evacuate survivors while avoiding dangerous wildlife and other lurking hazards.
• Earthquake: After a devastating earthquake, a train carrying hazardous chemicals and passengers derails, pinning civilians and spilling dangerous material, poisoning the air. Time ticks down as students arm themselves with the jaws of life to rescue survivors and clean up debris all before the train gives way under its own weight.

Disasterville doesn't just teach students about the mission of the National Guard, it puts them in the driver's seat as they work together to tackle each disaster the same way as the Guard, by combining communication, physical endurance and ingenuity to save lives, landscape and their communities.

Disasterville is brought to life using mixed-reality technology

Disasterville was developed with the help of extended reality (XR) industry expert Dale Carman. At first glance, the experience might look like a maze of plywood structures scattered throughout the gymnasium, but students are quickly placed in the center of the action once they don their Meta Quest 3 headsets and begin the simulation.

Disasterville uses advanced mixed-reality technology with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) graphics mapped to the structures, creating a free-roam experience and transforming the gym into neighborhoods with devastated buildings, debris, rough terrain, hazards and people in need.

Students can also leave their game controllers behind, because Disasterville uses hand-tracking technology that allows students to physically handle in-game props and National Guard rescue tools — like oars, hoses, chainsaws and the jaws of life — and interact with each other and people in need.

The National Guard's impact across the country

The National Guard is a unique component within the U.S. Army, with a presence in 54 states and territories. Serving in a part-time role, National Guard Soldiers support communities in their home state by responding to domestic emergencies and at the federal level as standby support for Active Duty Soldiers.

National Guard Soldiers have capabilities across medical, aviation, law enforcement and transportation, allowing them to have a direct impact on their own communities in the most critical times of need. By serving at least one weekend a month and two weeks a year, they also enjoy the flexibility to pursue their civilian personal and professional passions.

"As National Guard Soldiers, our strength lies not just in our wide range of capabilities, but also our ability to act as a bridge between our communities and the country," says Lt. Col. Ted Dunham, Chief of the U.S. Army National Guard Marketing Branch. "When disaster strikes, we stand ready to protect the people we know and the places we live."

Disasterville takes its immersive experience on the road

Throughout the year, Disasterville will tour select cities across the country, including Washington, D.C., Detroit, Indianapolis and Omaha, to bring the experience to high school students who are considering their next chapter.

Interested schools can reach out to their local National Guard representatives for more information on how to bring the Disasterville experience to their city.

For more information on Disasterville and the opportunities available in the National Guard, visit NationalGuard.com.