Joint Paths to the Future Force: A Report on Unified Quest 2004

Abstract : Unified Quest 2004 (UQ 04), the second war game cosponsored by Joint Forces Command and the United States Army, took place on May 2 7, 2004. The purpose of the game was to explore concepts and capabilities that enable Joint Operations Concepts and to continue the process begun in Unified Quest 2003 (UQ 03) of better defining Joint and Future Force concepts and capabilities, identifying key issues, insights, and implications and in addressing [specific] Unified Quest Issues. RAND Arroyo Center provided analytic support both before and during the game. The pre-game events were important, because they helped frame the study questions, objectives, and issues that would be examined. During the actual game, senior RAND Corporation analysts participated in all of the game panels, and two senior analysts participated in the daily senior mentor and commanders insight sessions and provided inputs to the Integration Team. This document summarizes the analysts insights with respect to the war game study issues and the conduct of the game itself. It also identifies issues that emerged from the game and briefly explores their implications.