2025 Peter Perla Wargaming Award

"One of the privileges of helping lead the Connections conference is introducing individuals whose work has shaped the practice of wargaming, contributing significantly to national defense. Today, it’s my honor to introduce someone whose impact spans decades of innovation and leadership: Dr. William “Bill” Lademan.

I first met then-Major Lademan at the 1990 Origins gaming conference. At the time, he was Chief of the Wargaming Branch at the Marine Corps, where he was applying wargaming not as an abstract tool but as a practical method for supporting real-world decisions. His presentation stood out for its clarity and for how precisely the USMC adapted each game to fit each need. His approach left a lasting impression on me and helped shape what would a few years later become this very conference.

After returning to the Fleet in 1992, now Lt Col Lademan continued applying and refining wargaming across a series command, staff and high-level planning roles. 

In 2008, now retired Colonel Dr Lademan became the Technical Director of the Wargaming Division at the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. Dr. Lademan championed fitting each wargame to its use.  He also worked to advance wargaming; by hosting Connections twice and by mentoring the next generation of wargame practitioners.

In 2014, during a town hall with the new Commandant of the Marine Corps, Dr. Lademan stood up and said, “The Marine Corps needs a Wargaming Center.” That single act of moral clarity helped launch what is now one of the premier wargaming institutions of our country.

For this, and for so much more, it is my great pleasure to present to you Dr. William Lademan - and to present to him the Peter Perla Award, for contributions to the advancement of the art, science and application of wargaming ."

-- Matthew Caffrey