Using Low Tech Simulations to Enhance Defence Logistician Learning

Abstract

Wargames and simulations have a long pedigree in the training of defence personnel. This paper will discuss how educating defence logisticians at various levels of their careers demonstrates the need to alter some of our traditional practices. The experience of the authors shows the need to move away from traditional wargaming contexts and mechanics, such as zero-sum victory conditions or a focus on completion and competition. This paper provides evidence of positive outcomes for the logistics profession at different levels of career, and how different levels of study can take advantage of the same resources to achieve different effects. These effects will contribute to the current and future needs of British, and by extent Western, forces as they seek to do more with constrained resources in a world returning to peer competition. In its discussion of wargaming, this paper will highlight the importance of interpersonal skills in what we call the ‘Future Defence Logistician’, in doing so it will confirm the continued need for ‘low-tech’ or analogue training packages that buck the trend of increasing investment in digitalisation and the use of virtual reality environments. The events discussed in this paper will show the continued benefits of abstraction and interpersonal communication for both introducing new recruits to likely context or allowing more experienced members to share best practice with one another to support the wider organisation in a manner that builds professional networks and removes the need to add additional weight to constrained budgets.