wargame information is to be fed into a model, it is
necessary to identify what information is essential
prior to the execution of the wargame. By doing so,
the wargame can be designed to ensure that the
wargame generates this information. Additionally,
the feedback between subject matter experts and the
simulation can be used to arbitrate when simulation
parameters based on policy are not realistic.
4.6 Wider Applicability
Use of simulations is not confined to development
and refinement of wargames for military applications.
Many boxed hobby wargames could benefit from the
iterative process laid out here. This could result in a
faster delivery to market of hobby games by speeding
up the validation and game play rules, especially the
concept of fairness and equal chance to win.
5 CASE STUDY: MOBILIZATION
OF THE FULL ARMY
The United States Army conducted a study to
determine the time required for a full mobilization of
the total Army, including the Active Army, Army
Reserve, and Army National Guard. A full
mobilization involves the simultaneous activation of
the Army’s reserve soldiers for an indefinite period of
time without increasing the total number of soldiers
(i.e., a draft is not implemented). The study was
commissioned to identify issues associated with a full
mobilization, which in turn are analysed to determine
opportunities to accelerate the process.
Numerous groups throughout the Army have
looked at the mobilization process. However, they
typically looked only at specific aspects instead of the
whole process. Therefore, the wargame team
determined a table-top wargame was most
appropriate for three reasons: 1) a lack of system data
to support a full simulation; 2) foster conversation
and interaction between participants from different
organizations; and 3) make the players feel and see
the consequences of their decisions.
5.1 The Mobilization Process
Many reserve units were deployed during the Global
War on Terror; however, these units underwent a
limited, deliberate mobilization, as compared to a full
mobilization. A full mobilization involves all units
competing for limited resources to achieve a high
level of readiness related to personnel, equipment,
and training. Not only are the reserve units competing
amongst themselves for these resources, they are also
competing with active duty units. The underlying
doctrine for a full mobilization is covered in Joint
Publication 4-05 (2014).
The reserve component consists of approximately
500,000 soldiers spread out among many units
throughout the United States. These units range from
small engineer detachments (~30 Soldiers) to large
infantry brigade combat teams (~3000 Soldiers). The
complications induced by unit dissimilarity are
increased by these units being distributed amongst the
Army National Guard and Army Reserves, which
have different mobilization policies.
When mobilized, reserve units report to home
station, their assigned base for training. Active duty
units are already at home station, and these bases are
spread out across the United States. Each unit has a
certain readiness level determined by its personnel,
equipment, and training levels. They are given
resources to increase their readiness levels in those
three categories; however, these resources are
somewhat limited, especially at home station.
Units move to other training sites to increase their
readiness levels. While small active duty units can
increase their training levels at Home Station, large
units are required to conduct collective training at the
Army’s three maneuver Combat Training Centers
(CTCs). Each CTC has limited capacity, and units
must often wait for their rotation at a CTC.
Reserve units can increase their training levels at
a Mobilization Force Generation Installation (MFGI),
where they get validated to deploy. Additionally, at
the MFGI, they will receive additional personnel and
equipment. All reserve units must move through the
MFGI during their mobilization process.
Additionally, reserve units can also use the CTCs to
increase their training levels, though they have a
lower priority than active duty units.
Once units are fully manned, trained, and
equipped, they move to the Port of Embarkation
(POE). At the POE, the units await for transportation
to their deployed location.
5.2 Block Diagram Model and
Wargame Setup
This set of processes was modelled in ProModel
®
to
create a simple discrete-event simulation. A
screenshot of the model is shown in Figure 5. The
table-top wargame followed a similar set of processes
with the board shown in Figure 6.
Active duty and reserve units are broken up by
component; they are further divided into large units