An Optimum Method of Wargaming a Tactical and Operational Course of Action as an Integral Part of a Corps Commander's and G3's Estimate of the Situation in a Time-Compressed Environment

This thesis establishes a base analysis for the determination of a method for wargaming both tactical and operational level courses of action. It orients on situations involving a compression of available time in which to decide on and execute the course of action. The study establishes the US Army estimate process as a base method for review and comparison. A review of the historical development of decisionmaking is included, as well as a look at the process used within other armies. The author studies the Airland Battle doctrine, and the Corps role as part of the doctrine. This includes a review of the three levels of war--Strategic, Operational, and Tactical. After describing the estimate process itself, and analyzing the wargaming paragraphs of the process, the author then presents other methods of wargaming. Studied and analyzed are models available to the decisionmaker that reflect varying degrees of comprehensiveness and force orientation. To provide a picture of wargaming a corps fight on tomorrows battlefield, a notional corps in a fictitious battle scenario is presented, with a discussion from the corps commanders perspective. The METT-T method is used as a descriptive vehicle.