Abstract
Multiteam systems (MTS) have been an emerging area of study for the past 20 years. Research accomplished thus far has studied multiple government, civilian, and military organizations. While there have been multiple avenues that research has gone down, this study focuses on the transition from individual teams to MTSs, shared mental model research, and facilitators and barriers to shared mental model development. Applying these concepts to a submarine crew provides an example of an MTS for future research. In this study I focus on the tactical portion of a submarine crew as an MTS and the facilitators and barriers to building shared mental models amongst the leadership of the teams comprising a submarine MTS. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted interviewing leaders of the teams comprising submarine MTSs. Semi-structured, collaborative/interpretive interviews were conducted with 12 participants and transcriptions were evaluated using Dedoose for In Vivo and pattern coding. The five major themes that were identified were communication, competency, culture, leadership, and trust. These themes presented as both facilitators and barriers. Recommendations for application of these themes both in Navy and civilian MTSs is provided for areas of future research.