Military exercises and wargaming in professional military education

The research project “Military exercises and wargaming in professional military education” takes measure to enhance the Norwegian Defence University College’s (NDUC) collective competence in the field of exercises and educational wargaming. In this context, the terms refer to a wide range of learning methods that include tactical exercises without troops (TEWTs), battlefield tours, staff rides, kriegsspiel, sandtable-exercises, floor shows, table-top exercises, matrix games, seminar games, board games and computer-supported games and simulations. These educational activities spur cadets to apply theoretical knowledge to solve practical problems and to gain experiences relevant to the military profession.

Exercises and educational wargames have been an integral part of professional military education for more than a century and is also widely used at the NDUC. It is generally believed that such pedagogical methods are effective in developing the competencies needed to win firefights, battles, and war – and notably to plan and put into effect military operations. While such competencies can be acquired in war, these educational tools seek to help cadets gain relevant professional experiences in peacetime by mirroring realistic scenarios they can encounter but without the risks and costs associated.  

The project was initiated to critically examine the assumptions listed above, to strengthen NDUC’s staff pedagogical competencies in the field, and to contribute to research on the topic. The R&D-group consists of some 25 military and civilian employees in different NDUC units, researchers from the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) and renowned international experts.  

Their work is published in a special issue of the Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies – see Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies (sjms.nu), an international conference at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy – see Exercises and Wargaming in Professional Military Education - Forsvaret, presented in an interview with the renowned wargamer Peter Perla from the US Navy – see Military exercises and wargaming in professional military education - YouTube, and discussed at the Georgetown University Wargaming Society webinar – see Panel: Military Exercises and Wargaming in Professional Military Education - YouTube.

The R&D-group is currently applying for research grants for projects with civilian professional educations – like medical schools and police academies – that also use exercises, games and simulations to help their students become professional in their respective fields.