"Is Wargaming A Useful Tool to Train Officers?" Topic

"There are multiple forms of gaming and wargaming. These include computer games, board games, miniature games, play-by-mail (PBM) and pencil and paper (role play) games. Are any of these able to provide useful training tools for the modern battlefield?

The modern wargame reputedly started in 1812 with Georg von Reisswitz and his father developing a timber and card model simulation of the battlefield played initially on a sand table, but later, on accurate maps representing real battlefields. Generally known as Kreigsspeil, it was reportedly used for training tactics at the Prussian War College established by King Frederick William III at Wilhelmstein. This college produced some of the keenest military minds of that era including Field Marshal Gerhard von Scharnhorst, Field Marshall August von Gneisenau and their favourite student, Major General Carl von Clausewitz…"

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Armand

We had some training people from Fort Hood come out to run a game for us once. It was quite an experience. The emphasis was on putting players under time pressure to make decisions. Players were making mistakes (a lot of fun to watch) as they lost track of units, left barrages run too long, and so forth.

Absolutely. If you've done a real wargame in the service you definitely learned a thing or two.

I never served. However, in college I took two military history courses that were required for ROTC candidates. We had to conduct exercises (university supplied paintball guns). ROTCs were platoon CO, XO, and squad leaders. Each squad leader had to appoint a non ROTC person to lead the second fire team in the squad.

Wow. It was eye opening. My squad leader was awful and led us up a steep hill launching a frontal assault. Thankfully she was taken out quickly. I ordered her fire team to pull back under covering fire. Once they were in a safe position they gave my fire team cover and we flanked the position and took the hill. It was a microcosm of Little Round Top in some ways and I took inspiration from the Confederates even though they failed.

Thanks

Armand