Microworld Simulations for Command and Control Training of Theater Logistics and Support Staffs

Abstract : Under the auspices of Force XXI, the Army is in essence going through a process of reengineering itself and evolving into a 'force projection Army,' a process that stresses the ability to deploy quickly and conduct missions away from its garrison locations. Such changes place increasing importance on effective combat service support (CSS) command and control (C2). These challenges and changes to how CSS management will occur in an increasingly information-rich and distributed environment provide the opportunity to reexamine training for support staffs and determine how the Army might change its training to best prepare for new styles of CSS management. This report argues that the current structure, content, and methods of training high-level CSS staffs will not answer the needs of the Force XXI Army and proposes an alternative approach-entaiiing changes in structure, content, and methods-based on a 'process' view of training. Changes in methods in particular focus on the use of microworld models: small-scale simulations of organizations and operations.