Fundamentals of Wargaming
Matthew B. Caffrey Jr.
26 July 2022
Disclaimer
The following views are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command or the United States Air Force
Purpose
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Provide Connections 2022 participants who are new to wargaming with enough of a foundation in the field that they can productively learn from and contribute to the balance of the conference – and beyond.
Matt Caffrey
Overview
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Why Go To a Particular Movie
Why Wargaming
Why Wargaming�Endorsements
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FADM Chester Nimitz Gen Norman Schwarzkopf Gen William Wallace
Why Wargaming�Universal* Adoption
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Why Wargaming�Universal Adoption
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Why Wargaming�Near Universal Adoption
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Why Wargaming�Past Performance
Why Wargaming
What Is a Wargame?
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Created by Col Uwe Heilmann, German Air Force, for your instructor in 1999
Definitions
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Reality
Simulation
Model
Simulation Game
Wargame
Proportional Representation
Over Time
Multisided
Armed Conflict
Definitions
Wargame: an armed conflict simulation game.
My definition
Wargame: A simulation, by whatever means, of a military operation involving two or more opposing forces using rules, data, and procedures designed to depict an actual or assumed real life situation.
DOD Dictionary of Military Terms (now deleted)
Wargame: A simulation of armed conflict in which participant decisions influence outcomes
Emerging, largely Dr. Perla
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What Are It’s Elements?
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Friendly Forces
Opposing Forces
Game Control
Adjudication
Analysis
After-Action Reporting
My thanks to Ms. Diana Lynn for enhancing this slide.
The Wargame Process
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Initial State
The Wargame Process
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Initial State
Blue Plan
The Wargame Process
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Initial State
Blue Plan
Red Plan
The Wargame Process
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Initial State
Blue Plan
Red Plan
Adjudication
The Wargame Process
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Initial State
Blue Plan
Red Plan
Adjudication
The Wargame Process
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Initial State
Blue Plan
Red Plan
Adjudication
End State
The Wargame Process
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End State
Initial State
End State Move 1 Initial State Move 2
End State Move 2 Initial State Move 3
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Types of Wargames
Each has advantages and disadvantages.
Parameters of Wargaming
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Cost
Duration
Participants
Days
300
Hours
Weeks
Months
Years
30
1200
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6
3
1,000,000s
100s
10,000,000s
Free
1 Billion+
10,000s
100,000s
1,000s
Other Parameters Include:
Depth into future of scenario
Level of War (tac to strat)
Prep time (0 to a lot)
Level of detail
How Does It Provide An Edge
More Effective Forces
More Effective Employment
Conclusion