Contending for Tomorrow: The Motives and Strategies Behind Integrating Simulated Warfare Exercises into an ROTC System
Why does the US military use computer games as training tools?
Wargames simulate the intricacies of war and test decision-making under pressure, making them a vital instrument for developing confident junior leaders capable of navigating complex battlefield scenarios. Unlike live exercises or conflict situations, computer games offer an engaging, low-risk, and replicable means of experiencing the unpredictable nature of war. They bridge the gap between theory and practice, sharpens tactical thinking, and promotes adaptability under pressure.
The benefits for junior leaders are not just confined to the virtual battlefield. Computer games offer a safe environment for experimentation, fostering innovation and learning from mistakes. They also expose these leaders to joint and multi-domain operations, increasing their understanding of complex operational environments and inter-service cooperation. Toppling traditional training methods, computer games provide an immersive, dynamic, and data-rich alternative that can boost motivation, retention, and professional growth among junior leaders.
European militaries have been employing wargaming for over two centuries, honing decision-making skills and testing plans. However, the unique utility of wargames becomes even more apparent when used to prepare junior leaders as they help shape military personnel tactics, operational art, and judgement. A Department of Defense study found that inexperienced troops sustained forty percent of combat losses during the first three months of a deployment, largely due to unfamiliarity with enemy tactics and a lack of experience. Wargames can mitigate these factors by providing a potentially life-saving understanding of doctrine and enemy tactics.
Government's cost-consciousness has led to the increased use of commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) wargames for military training. Both manual and digital COTS wargames provide a cost-effective, efficient, and low-barrier means of offering service members additional practice. Players can repeatedly play these games off duty, fostering a deep understanding of military planning and tactics under information uncertainty. Commercial games' engaging elements encourage the "rage to master," the drive to develop expertise in a given subject, motivating players to engage in multiple playthroughs. This drive for mastery enhances regular military training and exercises, acting as a force multiplier for military learning.
At the University of Iowa, ROTC students participating in a wargaming event experienced the powerful impact of COTS wargames firsthand. Playing Armored Brigade II, a digital wargame set in the Cold War era, the ROTC cadets were introduced to key military tactics, combined arms maneuvers, and management processes of non-combat arms units. The wargame enabled students to test their communicative and decision-making skills and internalize important lessons such as the importance of effective communication, proper planning, and patience when executing a plan.
In short, computer games have proven to be an invaluable addition to the US military's training arsenal. The technology's ability to immerse players in realistic scenarios, reinforce military strategy, and encourage player engagement makes it an adaptable and powerful tool for developing the next generation of leaders.
[References White, Michael Crawford, David Regehr, Allan Chick, Judy, & Molloy, Elizabeth J. (2001). Simulation and Gaming, 32(1), 57-77. LeBruteau, Nicholas P., Allen, Michael Dee, Dobson, Alan Orr, Ezzell, & Stringer, William A. (1998). Military Operations Research; 1(2), 118-137. Lovie, David, & Lundy, Mark G. Regehr, Allan Chick, Judy, & White, M. Crawford. (2004). Simulation & Gaming, 35(5), 571-588. Youngs, Chris (2012). Games and Simulations in Intelligence: Modern Military Operations and National Security. Textbooks.. ISBN 9780813346449.]
- The US military uses computer games for military training to simulate warfare and test the decision-making skills of junior leaders in complex battlefield scenarios.
- Unlike live exercises or conflict situations, these games offer an engaging, low-risk, and replicable means of experiencing the unpredictable nature of war, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
- Wargames also provide a safe environment for experimentation, fostering innovation, learning from mistakes, and increasing understanding of complex operational environments and inter-service cooperation.
- The use of computer games in military training has been found to be cost-effective and beneficial, as it can boost motivation, retention, and professional growth among junior leaders.
- These games have been utilized by various militaries for over two centuries and are essential in shaping military personnel tactics, operational art, and judgement, particularly in understanding enemy tactics and doctrine.
