The U.S. Army has awarded a $40 million contract modification to Cubic Applications, the mission support services unit of Cubic Corp., to train thousands of U.S. military personnel to be military advisers to the armies of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Training is underway at Fort Polk, La.; Fort Benning and Fort Stewart, Ga.; and Fort Drum, N.Y.

Cubic presents a series of 60-day programs involving classroom instruction and simulations of actual operations. Trainees learn how to instruct their Afghan and Iraqi counterparts to plan and conduct military operations, and also how to establish systems and processes, and manage personnel, logistics and payroll.

Cubic will provide role players to portray Iraqi civilians and members of the international media who are on the battlefield interacting with and observing the military forces. Iraqis and Afghans with military training in those countries will role-play Iraq and Afghan army officers.