NEWPORT, R.I. – Students attending Naval Education and Training Command’s International Surface Warfare Officer School Division Officer Class and Joint Maritime Tactical Development Class were introduced to the techniques of war gaming the first week of November.
The International SWOS War Game, a course of action analysis, was taught to 12 students from Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Dominican Republic, Peru, Chile, Pakistan, Malaysia, Turkey, Philippines and South Korea by SWOS staff and facilitated by Naval War College’s War Gaming Department.
“War gaming involves a detailed assessment of different COA's, both friendly and enemy. It assists planners in identifying strengths, weaknesses, and associated risks, and in assessing shortfalls for the different COA's,” said ISWOS Director Lt. Cmdr Bart Jumaoas. “The benefit of teaching war gaming to our international students is that it allows the students to conduct this exercise with a U.S. perspective, and to consider problems/issues concerning strategy, force allocation and deployment, amphibious operations, sea control and war termination.”
Using classroom lectures, practical exercises, briefings, and discussions students were introduced the to the techniques of war gaming, and provided with a vehicle for the formulation, planning, and execution of operations using joint military forces to accomplish mission objectives in a crisis situation.
“Many of the students have studied in staff colleges or surface warfare schools in their respective countries, or abroad. They stayed on track, with the time constraints given. Many times they went back to the drawing board with their courses of action, which is to be expected,” said instructor Lt. Patrick Kilcrease. “The interesting dynamic however is watching 11 different countries work together towards a common goal.”
The training was provided to support the tactical and operational educational objectives of the students, ranging from mid-level naval officers, lieutenant to commander, with commanding or executive officer, and staff experience, to junior officers, ensign to lieutenant with shipboard experience. Students exercised military planning and decision making at the operational level within the constraints of military capabilities. They took into account domestic and international law, rules of engagement, and national policy considerations that affect the political acceptability of a selected course of action.
“This particular class was limited in their time here in the United States. The war gaming session was only five days long, so it was very compressed. This part of the course provides the international students a snapshot of the planning process,” said Jumaoas. “Our mission, here at International SWOS is to foster international cooperation through the sharing of knowledge, and to build and sustain international relationships through maritime partnerships.”
The week culminated in a major mission brief by the students to senior officers on the SWOS staff.
“The scenario entailed one country [Orange], threatening to take over another country [Green]. The students played staff members and planners of a combined joint task force, designing a course of action that would #1 protect country Green and/or #2 to conduct a pre-emptive strike on Orange if the situation got to that point,” said Jumaoas. “The international students, who attend these SWOS courses, or any U.S. school for that matter, are typically the top of their class, squadron, staff, or navy. Many of the students are motivated to learn and to engage themselves in the course. Additionally, the students get an opportunity to experience the life and culture of the United States, which is a big part of the course.”