Matt Caffrey's Applied Wargaming Guide
Matt Caffrey's Applied Wargaming Guide
Matthew B. Caffrey Jr.
matthewbcaffreyjr@gmail.com
Matthew B. Caffrey Jr.
matthewbcaffreyjr@gmail.com
This Guide distills my personal experience as a professional wargame practitioner into materials and sources that I have found useful. My hope is that it will provide you with some tips on how you can enter the field and continue to develop yourself as a professional wargame leader and practitioner.
Please email me your suggested improvements to this Guide. Thank you!
These materials provide a rapid introduction to professional wargaming : for leaders who wish to understand what their wargaming subordinates are doing, and for people who wish to enter the field. They will be especially useful for first-time participants in the Connections series of Wargaming Conferences.
Introduction to Wargaming
The Breadth of Wargaming
Origins and Evolution of Connections Wargaming Conferences
History of Wargaming
Matthew Caffrey, 2021
Successful Professional Wargames: Selected Insights
Graham Longley Brown, Connections US 2020
Successful Professional Wargames: A Practitioner's Handbook
Graham Longley Brown (Author) , John Curry (Editor), Peter Perla (Foreword)
History of Wargaming Project, 2020
Everyone has their short list of essential books on any subject. These are mine for professional wargaming. Become familiar with their contents!
Successful Professional Wargames: A Practitioner's Handbook
Graham Longley Brown (Author) , John Curry (Editor), Peter Perla (Foreword)
History of Wargaming Project, 2020
On Wargaming: How Wargames Have Shaped History and How They May Shape the Future
Matthew B. Caffrey
US Naval War College Press, 2019 (free download)
Zones of Control: Perspectives on Wargaming
Pat Harrigan & Matthew G. Kirschenbaum (Eds), James Dunnigan (Forward)
MIT Press, 2016
Peter Perla's Art of Wargaming book, A guide for professionals and hobbyists
Peter P. Perla (Author), John Curry (Editor)
History of Wargaming Project, 2012
Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals
Katie Salen & Eric Zimmerman
MIT Press 2003
Fundamentals of War Gaming
Francis J. McHugh
US Naval War College Press, 3rd edition, 2012
(The 1966 edition is available as a PDF from DTIC)
You have been put in charge of a wargaming department, or you have to set one up. Where to start?
First, familiarize yourself with the Entry Level Materials. Then avail yourself of the knowledge and experience documented in the handbooks of existing professional wargaming departments referenced below (most recent first):
Wargaming Practitioner's Guide
Mirosław Wnorowski
Doctrine and Training Centre of the Polish Armed Forces, 2022
How to Master Wargaming: Commander and Staff Guide to Improving Course of Action Analysis
Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL), 2020
The Craft of Wargaming: A Detailed Planning Guide for Defense Planners and Analysts
Col Jeff Appleget, Col. Robert Burks & Fred Cameron (US Naval Postgraduate School)
Naval Institute Press, 2020
Wargaming Handbook
UK Ministry of Defence, 2017
US Naval War College Wargaming Department Notes
Short notes by department faculty on wargaming practice as of 2017
(Available via the Wayback machine)
Strategic Wargaming Series Handbook
US Army War College, 1 July 2015
War Gamers’ Handbook, A Guide for Professional War Gamers
Shawn Burns (Ed)
US Naval War College, 2015
Wargaming: Guide to Preparation and Execution
M. Birnstiel et al
Bundeswehr Command and Staff College, 2006
Now it is time to deepen your knowledge beyond the essentials. Add these to your reading list:
Roll to Save: Gaming Disease Response
Ed McGrady & John Curry
History of Wargaming Project, 2021
The Craft of Wargaming: A Detailed Planning Guide for Defense Planners and Analysts
Jeff Appleget, Robert Burks & Fred Cameron
Naval Institute Press, 2020
Successful Professional Wargames: A Practitioner's Handbook
Graham Longley Brown (Author) , John Curry (Editor), Peter Perla (Foreword)
History of Wargaming Project, 2020
How to Master Wargaming: Commander and Staff Guide to Improving Course of Action Analysis
Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL), 2020
The Handbook of Cyber Wargames: Wargaming the 21st Century
John Curry & Nick Drage
History of Wargaming Project, 2020
War Games Shed Light on Real Strategies
David Banks
Navy Times April 2019
On Wargaming: How Wargames Have Shaped History and How They May Shape the Future
Matthew B. Caffrey
US Naval War College Press, 2019
Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design: An Encyclopedia of Mechanisms
Geoffrey Englestein & Isaac Shalev
CRC Press, 2019
The Matrix Games Handbook: Professional Applications from Education to Analysis and Wargaming
John Curry , Peter Perla & Chris Engle (Eds)
History of Wargaming Project, 2018
Wargaming Handbook
UK Ministry of Defence, 2017
Zones of Control: Perspectives on Wargaming
Pat Harrigan & Matthew G. Kirschenbaum (Eds), James Dunnigan (Forward)
MIT Press, 2016
Strategic Wargaming Series Handbook
US Army War College, 1 July 2015
War Gamers’ Handbook, A Guide for Professional War Gamers
Shawn Burns (Ed)
US Naval War College, 2015
Your Boss, Players, and Sponsor: The Three Witches of War Gaming
Stephen Downes-Martin,
Naval War College Review, Vol. 67 No. 1, Winter 2014
Why Wargaming Works
Peter P. Perla & Ed McGrady
Naval War College Review, Vol. 64, No. 3, Summer 2013
A Theory of Fun for Game Design
Raph Koster
O'Reilly Media (2nd edition), 2013
Adjudication: The Diabolus in Machina of Wargaming
Stephen Downes-Martin
Naval War College Review 2013, Vol 66, No. 3, pp 67 – 80
Peter Perla's Art of Wargaming book, A guide for professionals and hobbyists
Peter P. Perla (Author), John Curry (Editor)
History of Wargaming Project, 2012
Simulating War: Studying Conflict Through Simulation Games
Philip Sabin
Continuum, 2012
Fundamentals of War Gaming
Francis J. McHugh
US Naval War College Press, 3rd edition, 2012
(The 1966 edition is available as a PDF from DTIC)
Why Games Work and the Science of Learning
Curtiss Murphy
Modsim World, 2011
The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist’s Guide to Success in Business and Life
Avinash Dixit & Barry Nalebuff
Norton, 2010
Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers
Dave Gray, Sunni Brown, & James Macanufo
O'Reilly Media 2010
Conversations with Wargamers
Peter P. Perla & Michael C. Markowitz
Center for Naval Analysis, 2009
Game Theory: A Very Short Introduction
Ken Binmore
Oxford University Press, 2007
The Epistemology of War Gaming
Robert Rubel
Naval War College Review, Vol. 59, No. 2, Spring 2006
Wargaming: Guide to Preparation and Execution
M. Birnstiel et al
Bundeswehr Command and Staff College, 2006
Wargame Pathologies
Christopher Weuve et al
Center for Naval Analyses, September 2004
Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals
Katie Salen & Eric Zimmerman
MIT Press 2003
Toward a History-Based Doctrine for Wargaming
Matthew B. Caffrey
Aerospace Power Journal Fall 2000
Wargames Handbook, How to Play and Design Commercial and Professional Wargames
James Dunnigan
Writers Club Press, 3rd edition, 2000
Wargame Design: The History, Production, and Use of Conflict Simulation Games
Strategy and Tactics Magazine Staff
Simulations Publications Inc., 1977
Armchair Dragoons -- Wargaming Terms
Army Men Wargaming -- Wargaming Glossary
Army Modeling & Simulation Office -- Modeling and Simulation Glossary
BoardGameGeek -- Board Game Categories
BoardGameGeek -- Board Game Mechanics
BoardGameGeek -- "Green Commander" military/wargaming glossary
Matthew Caffrey -- Wargame Related Acronyms and Terms
Center for Advanced Red Teaming -- Glossary of Common Red Teaming Terms
Defense Modeling and Simulation Enterprise -- DoD Modeling and Simulation Glossary
James F Dunnigan -- The Technical Terms Used in Wargaming
Homefront Wargame Center -- HFC Game Term Glossary
Paul, Wong, Bartels (RAND) -- Wargaming Glossary
Simpsons's Compendium of Wargaming Terms
The Tactical Wargamer -- Glossary Definitions
UK MoD Red Teaming Guide (2nd Edition) -- Lexicon
UK MoD Wargaming Handbook -- Lexicon
US Naval War College -- War Gamers' Handbook Annex A: Glossary of War Gaming Terms
The best way to become a member of a profession or any community of practice is to interact with others with the same vocation, in time to become true colleagues. The best way to do so and to learn, and in time share, best practices is through participating in gatherings of your field. Here are some of the best such opportunities in Wargaming.
Connections US: Since 1993 Connections US has been working to advance and sustain the art, science and application of wargaming by bringing together all elements of the wargaming field to learn from each other. While typically held during the summer some of their working groups continue efforts to advance wargaming year round.
Connections Netherlands: Since 2015 Connections Netherlands has been working to advance the same mission as the original Connections and attracts many international students. Typically held in the fall.
Connections North (Canada): Since 2016 Connections North has been working to advance the mission as the original Connections, with a focus on all stages of conflict and broadening inclusion in the field. Held in mid-February at McGill University.
Connections Online: Due to the Global pandemic Connections US 2020 was held as the first Global Connections. Through deliberate effort and the necessity given the pandemic to holding it on line international participation sored. Several members of the Connections community recognized the utility of holding a virtual conference every year. Connections Online was first held in April 2021. It will be held in April or March each year via YouTube and Discord.
Connections OZ (Australia): Since 2014 Connections OZ has been working to advance the same mission as the original Connections. Typically held in December.
Connections UK: Since 2013 Connections UK has been working to advance the same mission as the original Connections, but with a much more international participation. Typically held in September.
Georgetown University Wargaming Society: The Georgetown University Wargaming Society (GUWS) was founded in 2020 to provide a venue for hobby gamers, professional wargamers, and those new to wargaming.
Military Operations Research Society Symposium: The annual MORS Symposium brings together all branches of the defense Operations Research community, including wargaming. There is a registration fee, and security clearances are required.
MORS Wargaming Community of Practice (COP) Brown Bag Series: The easiest way to stay in touch with developments in the field of wargaming. By getting on their email list you automatically get the speaker’s slides and call-in number each month. Then call in, listen to the speaker over lunch and, if you wish, participate in the post talk discussions. Contact Michael Ottenberg, Wargame CoP Lead at ottenbergm@hotmail.com for additional information. You do not need to be a MORS member to get on the Brown Bag list.
Serious Games Forum (France): On 27 January 2020 at the French War College in Paris, France’s 3rd Serious Games Forum and the first Connections France were held as a single event. The event broadened the original mission of Connections.
Air & Space Power Journal: (Previously Airpower Journal), Air University. Occasionally publishes wargaming related material.
Armchair Dragoons: Content for professional practitioners.
BoardGameGeek: An online resource and community that aims to be the definitive source for board game and card game content.
Center for Applied Strategic Learning (CASL): National Defense University’s wargame department maintains an excellent on line set of references for their faculty.
ConsimWorld: Site on commercial wargames, primarily paper.
Decision Games publish three magazines of potential value. All three magazines come with a print wargame typically on the conflict described in their lead article. Covering the practical application of: here's the situation, here's how a professional cheaply and quickly wargamed it, and then a short discussion on why he wargamed it that way. Equivalent to tutorials for designing/selecting wargames to fit a spectrum of needs.
Modern War: covers potential, contemporary and recent military conflicts. Ceased publication. Back issues from 1982 through 2021 are available from the publisher (until they are out pf stock).
Strategy & Tactics: since the early 1970’s “S&T” has been providing insights into military decisions; from ancient to near future, from articles to wargames to articles on wargaming.
World at War: covers military developments from the beginning of WWI through the end of WWII.
Game Developer: "... focus on helping developers Make Better Games ..." (used to be gamasutra.com)
Grogheads: Mostly hobby/digital and console gaming.
History of Wargaming Project: The UK’s John Curry started this project to put historical wargame rules back into print. His web site lists a remarkable breath of such books plus contemporary works on wargaming.
International Journal of Serious Games: The Serious Games Society is part of the movement applying wargame and wargame like techniques and technologies to a broad spectrum of uses. The Society's (online) Journal provides scholarly articles about the state of play of several aspects of this activity.
John Curry's Blogspot: John Curry is a Senior Lecturer at the UK's Bath Spa University specialising in games development and cyber security, with a deep knowledge of current military affairs and applying wargaming to current conflicts. His blog is required reading for professional wargamers.
Joint Forces Quarterly, NDU Press. Occasionally publishes wargaming related material.
King's College London Wargaming Network: "The Wargaming Network is a research group within the School of Security Studies that aims to advance the theory and application of wargaming as a method of inquiry and as a method of learning and teaching". Their public lectures can be found on their YouTube channel.
LBS Consultancy: a source of articles on military wargaming, primarily in the UK.
Military Factory: Open source site on military hardware worldwide.
PAXsims: A source of articles on wargames applied to conflict resolution, and military operations.
Phalanx, MORS. Occasionally publishes wargaming related material.
RAND Wargaming: RAND maintains a page on wargaming at its principle website containing synopses of many of their important articles and reports on their wargames.
SAGE Journals publish two scholarly journals that focus primarily on modeling but also publish articles on gaming and specifically on wargaming:
Strategy Bridge: "a non-profit organization focused on the development of people in strategy, national security, & military affairs"
Strategy Page: This site covers contemporary military affairs, military history and wargaming – defense, recreational and some educational.
Table Top History: A website created and run by Peter Pellegrino. Contains a range of resources on a variety of wargaming topics.
UK Fight Club: "A Wargaming Experimentation Group Learning to Fight Across All Domains of Conflict and Competition". Has links to US, Netherlands, and Italy Fight Clubs.
US Naval War College Review: US Naval War College, Occasionally publishes wargaming related material.
US Naval War College Wargaming Series: YouTube videos spread over several channels.
US Naval War College Wargaming Department Notes: Short notes by department faculty on wargaming practice as of 2017. Available via the Wayback machine.
War on the Rocks (WOTR): Contemporary military prospective, many articles on wargaming.
Wargaming – Connections: Principally a site with dialogues between wargame practitioners.
Taught by civilian institutions
Connections UK "Introduction to Wargaming (Wargaming 101)" (UK)
Cornell University "Game Design Initiative" (US)
Cranfield University "War Gaming and Combat Modelling" (UK)
Georgetown University "Basics of Wargaming" (US)
King's College London University Wargaming Network educational programme (UK)
King's College London University "Wargaming and Strategy Short Course" (UK)
MORS Courses (US)
Among other subjects of interest to wargamers, includes the following wargaming courses:
A sign of reaching maturity as a wargamer is knowing when a wargame task would benefit from acquiring some help. Some FFRDCs have supported DoD wargaming since the 1950’s. Some of those with wargaming expertise are:
Center for Naval Analysis: CNA has consistently advanced wargaming across the decades and across the Defense community.
Institute for Defense Analyses: Strong in modelling and simulation and their application to wargaming.
MITRE: Currently working on modular, scalable capabilities for supporting MDO-related table top exercises (TTXs) and Wargames.
RAND: The first and arguably the most famous of the FFRDCs. Many of the red team and wargame processes of today were developed by RAND in the 1950s. They are back to pushing the boundaries of wargames today.
Sandia National Laboratories: Contains a small core group of expert wargamers.
In some cases FFRDC support is prepaid centrally and requesters compete for support. In other cases they can be contracted with in a way that is different from but similar to the process for a for-profit company. A "Master Government List of Federally Funded R&D Centers" is available from the National Science Foundation.
Wargaming is very much a multidisciplinary endeavor. You will need business skills (project management, dealing with clients, producing concrete actionable results, writing and communicating, etc.), people skills (facilitation, persuasion, empathy, etc.), domain skills dealing with what is being wargamed (military, medicine, business, etc.), and supporting skills (analysis, coding, mathematics, sciences, psychology, research methods etc.) in addition to your wargaming skills!
Knowledge of the following supporting fields are useful for wargame practitioners. While the more you know about each of these fields the better, just knowing enough to know what field can help you in what way is useful. Relevant fields include but are not limited to:
Acquisition process
Artificial Intelligence
Computer programming
Computer science
Consultative Selling
Decision analysis
Facilitation
Game Theory
Group Psychology
History
Intelligence Analysis
Logic (Inductive, Deductive and Abductive)
Military tactics, operations and strategy in all warfighting domains
Negotiation analysis
Online gaming and management process applications (eg surveys, workflow, virtual reality, etc.)
Operations Research and Analysis
Psychology of individuals
Science and Technology (any relevant topic)
Statistics & Probability
You cannot be an expert in all of the above, so make sure you network with people who are!