Dev Log: Scenario Design

[bcgames]

Scenario design requires a fair fight for both sides to be interested in entering the arena...

And there I wuz...

From 1987 to 1989, I had the privilege of being a tank company/team observer-controller (OC) at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California.

Previous to this, I had commanded a tank company, a Headquarters Company, and was the Battalion S-3 Operations officer of the 5th Battalion, 32nd Armor during our rotation to the NTC in late 1986 (Don Timian's TOW missile E Company attached on occasion).

After two years doing the 2nd best job (OC) I ever had in The Army, I was pulled from the field and assigned to be...the battalion engineer plotter of bullshit in the Tactical Analysis and Feedback Center (TAF)--the "Star Wars" building. After one rotation in the air conditioned Hell of the TAF, I was called back to the field to be the S3 Trainer cuz the guy with the job had his nuts cut and stitches couldn't take the bumps of two weeks of cross-country HMMWV travel. Glory Days!

After this, I was offered the positions of Chief of Plans, Operations Group (The Scenario Designers for NTC Rotations). If you are an Armor Officer and you are doing a bullshit Engineer toad obstacle plotting job--you say YES! After a week in the job, up pops an Infantry Major who needs to get branch qualified. So I go from the guy in charge (I was a Captain)--to subordinate Rotation Scenario Writer--the best experience ever for a life-long wargamer. I had to deal with the Divisional Commander's rotational unit (brigade) training requirements (totally oblivious to the game) and the OPFOR's absolute desire to design to win under the facade of creating a "fair fight according to Glantz".

Results from this experience?

I design for a fair fight. I couldn't achieve it as a scenario writer in The Army--though the field Army thought they were on a level playing field--NOT. So...In a WEGO wargame, History ends at the Line of Departure. The scenario designer sets the conditions then leaves the player to his own devices (within the rules of the game). If there ain't a 50:50 chance of victory? Then your scenario stinks...just like every scenario run at the NTC under the lie of "The Fair Fight".

There's more to the story after I returned to the NTC as a Major/Lieutenant Colonel...but that's for another day.

Bottomline. "Fair fights" are the only ones anybody wants to participate in, learn from, and boast about when the game is played. When YOUR soldiers are involved? Overwhelming combat power is your start point for conditions of success. Fair fights in actual combat are stupid. Fair fights in wargames are brilliant.

[Zovs]

Small world!

I was in the 3rd ACR as a M1A1 tank driver and we deployed to NTC in late 1987. Fun training center.

[bcgames]

That was the first cavalry regiment rotation to NTC IIRC. I can't remember the troop I OCd. I have a vague recollection of a squadron-sized Oklahoma land-rush style attack at max speed from Siberia down to the Whale Gap. No overwatch, no use of terrain; just troops YOOOOOOH!!!!! They kicked-up dust so thick you could barely see any of the tanks or Brads. You could hear 'em all around and see a brief shadow every once in a while--but that was it. That was enough for me. About half the way down, I worked my hummer out of the swirling dust cloud and followed the herd at speed from the upwind position. Every minute or two another OC would pop out of the dust -- eyeballs a-poppin'. Cavalry--They're nuts!

[Zovs]

I was in in Lima (L), troop, I remember the dust bowl and going full speed ahead it was great!

You might know the saying “if you ain’t Cav, you ain’t xxxx!”

[bcgames]

Brave Rifles.

[Zovs]

Roger that!

Many fond memories in Texas.