A nondescript gymnasium on a Konnklijke Landmacht (Royal Netherlands Army) base on the outskirts of the city of Amersfoort, in the central Netherlands, reverberates with the sound and scent of physical exertion. The jarring squeal of training shoes on polished floors resounds in the cavernous echoes of a sports hall, mingling with the exasperated exclamations of instructors as young soldiers are pushing the outside of their physiology's envelope. Yet, the neighbouring basketball court is a haven of deliberate, and occasionally quiet, concentration. Twelve trainee Dutch Army sergeants are attired as if they have been catapulted into the future, and back again, clad in headsets, black webbing and a backpack with a patiently shining small blue light. With replica Colt Canada C7 5.56mm assault rifles in hand they tactically manoeuvre across the floor covering their arcs of fire. Suddenly the group stops, crouches down for cover and assumes firing positions. These soldiers are honing their dismounted infantry tactics using RE-liON's BLACKSUIT synthetic trainer; and this is their first day with the system.
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