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Wargaming Department

In support of Naval War College’s academic mission, the Wargaming Department conducts high-quality applied gaming, research, analysis, and education. Simulating these complex war scenarios builds analytical, decision-making, and risk assessment skills.

Wargaming Department

(401) 856-6100

Integral to Education

Since 1887, just a few years after our founding, wargaming has been integral to Naval War College’s academic programming. Each year, our department conducts 50-plus gaming events, ranging in complexity and format.

These activities, designed both for students and external organizations, foster an understanding of decisions today’s military leaders and civilian must make during maritime and joint warfare.

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Facilities and Faculty

Our 111,000-square-foot wargaming facility, housed in McCarty Little Hall, features a 180-seat auditorium, a television studio, dozens of reconfigurable gaming cells, and classroom and conference space. Our gaming cells can host up to 400 computer stations—and access to classified and secure networks—and all are equipped with state-of-the-art video technology and the ability to broadcast throughout the facility and around the world.

See Wargaming Faculty

The Department of Wargaming’s core faculty comprises about 40 military and civilian gaming professionals, who are supported by a staff of highly skilled technicians and enlisted Navy personnel. With their expertise comes a commitment to academic rigor and innovative research.

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Wargaming Publications & Research

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Margaret M Polski photo

Margaret M. Polski

Professor | Wargaming Department

Dr. Polski provides national security analysis and research for senior military leaders and their staff. She has over thirty years of experience helping organizations innovate to address threats, emerging opportunities, and operating performance. Dr. Polski's research is focused on strategic behavior in complex adaptive systems, and includes work in experimental design, game theory, cognitive neuroscience, and computational social science. Her current research interests are related to understanding the behavior of heterogeneous systems.

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Michael Quan Profile Image

Michael Quan

Director | Naval Command College

Captain Quan, a native of Anaheim, CA, enlisted in the Navy in December 1985 and was selected for the Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Oregon State University in 1992. He received his commission in February 1993 at the Office Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island. His sea tours began as a junior officer on board USS HAWKBILL (SSN 666) from 1994 to 1998, Navigator of USS GEORGIA (SSBN 729)(GOLD) from 2000 to 2003, Executive Officer on USS HAWAII (SSN 776) from 2003 to 2005 and Commanding Officer of USS PROVIDENCE (SSN 719) from April 2011 to August 2013.

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