Wargaming Expert Explores the Roots of Organized Warfare
Booz Allen wargaming expert uses Peloponnesian War to teach strategy to modern-day warfighters — a February 2001 article from the boozallen.com news desk
The U.S. Army honored Booz Allen Vice President Mark Herman for his outstanding service as the sponsor of an interactive strategy game, which uses a war that began in 431 BC to help today's warfighters prepare for future scenarios. Major General Reginal Clemmons, Commandant of the National War College, presented the certificate of achievement during a January 9, 2001, ceremony at Booz Allen's worldwide headquarters in McLean, Virginia.
Mark Herman and Major General Clemmons
Wargame Developer
Utilizing the Peloponnesian War as a baseline scenario, Herman took the concept from a manual board game to an Intranet-based, interactive, strategy decision-making exercise. Booz Allen developed the strategy in concert with the National War College, which is part of the National Defense University at Fort Leslie McNair. Herman based this exercise on a Peloponnesian War case study developed by Admiral Stansfield Turner. The case study has been used since 1973 as part of a strategy and policy course taught at the Naval War College.
"The Peloponnesian War is one of the first classic histories on strategy and operations," explained Herman, "and it illustrates how a conflict affects a democracy and how a long war affects the morals and ethics of a society." By setting a scenario in ancient Greece, participants from different branches of the service can discuss the basics and principles of strategy without being influenced by the different strategies favored by today's Army, Air Force, or Navy.
The National War College described the game as marking the first step in developing new software engines that can enable complex decision-making exercise over networks. Herman is proud of the fact that Booz Allen was able to bring together the elements that the National War College needed to make this project a success. "Booz Allen strove to understand what they wanted to accomplish and by working hand in hand with the University faculty was able to help them realize their goal," he said.
Military Historian
Herman's interest in the world's early military empires extends beyond developing wargaming scenarios. He recently contributed to a book titled The Times History of War, which investigates how warfare developed from ancient civilization to the dawn of the 21st century. Herman co-authored the book's first chapter detailing events ranging from Egyptian and Hittite warfare to the decline of the Roman legion.
Mark Herman
A leader in the development of wargame and simulation methodologies emphasizing strategic planning, development of measures of effectiveness, and military utility analysis, Herman received his M.A. in National Security Studies from Georgetown University and his B.S. degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
