A couple of years ago wargaming within the Department of Defense got renewed attention as a tool for understanding conflict. Wargaming has been used since the 1800's to help military personnel train for, plan, and think through combat situations. However with the advent of quantitative operations research and computer models wargaming had taken a back seat to quantitative methods. With emerging great-powers conflicts wargaming was seen as a tool to enable key decision-makers to think through different tactical, operational, and policy options.
As the demand for wargaming increases more analysts are needed who can create accurate and effective wargames. Wargames use models and simulations but they also involve people making decisions. This addition of people to the mix means that professional wargame designers need skills ranging from design to facilitation. It is difficult to find someone who has all the skills needed, and there is not a lot of training available for those who are interested.
In order to meet this emerging need MORS created the MORS Wargaming Certificate Program. The weeklong program includes sections on wargame design, facilitation, analyses, theory (of games not game theory), and practical implementation. The class is designed to give the students a good start on wargame design, or give more experienced participants some tips and tricks that they could use as they grow as designers. Programs at the MORS special meetings on wargaming divide participants into novices, journeymen, practicing professionals, and master gamers. This class is an opportunity for novices to begin their journey into the profession, and for all students to interact and learn from master game designers.
The class includes lectures and interactive sessions where students design their own games. We are continually surprised with the interesting topics that students come up with for their design projects, from drag racing to strategic conflict simulations.
We have had four complete programs, three in Arlington and a weeklong class with the Air National Guard in Alaska. Since some of the instructors believe that it takes 10,000 hours of game experience to become a master gamer, we are not producing master gamers in one week. Our goal is to produce more informed consumers of games, and to give people the opportunity to learn some of the fundamentals of design, theory, and practice as they continue to work toward being great game designers.
The next class will be held the week of March 12, and we still have spaces available!
To Register, visit here: http://www.mors.org/Education/MORS-Certificate-Program/Wargaming