Insurgent uprising: an unconventional warfare wargame

Abstract

Today, and in the future, unconventional solutions will present U.S. policymakers with options for dealing with threats to U.S. interests while retaining public support. As a result, United States Army Special Operation Command (USASOC) can expect an increased demand for unconventional warfare (UW) in the coming years and is refocusing its priorities accordingly. As United States Special Operation Command (USSOCOM) trains, equips, and restructures to meet future UW requirements, a classroom-based practical exercise educational tool may prove critical to reinforcing UW readiness. USASOC does not currently use a standardized UW wargame to teach and reinforce UW theory and doctrine. This thesis presents a UW wargame specially designed to reinforce UW theory and doctrine, both quantitatively and qualitatively. This wargame aims to improve preparation of UW exercises in all training environments including the qualification courses, JADE HELM, and the Combined Training Center (CTC) rotations. The data collected from the seven iterations of playing this wargame indicate that this UW wargame provides a practical exercise that reinforces UW training objectives and will complement existing training exercises.