Wargaming Center

In 2017, (then) Marine Corps Commandant General Robert Neller directed the creation of a new facility for Marines to participate in wargaming activities in a secure, central location. The goal was to develop the Marine Corps’ ability to make informed, deliberate decisions based on simulated models.

The benefits of these wargaming exercises flourished quickly, leading to even more advanced activities and in 2019 focus shifted to naval warfare and the joint force. This was all connected to Marine Corps Commandant General David Berger’s goal to prepare units to deter conflict inside the weapons engagement zone.

To meet this overarching mission at Marine Corps Base Quantico, NAVFAC Washington tasked the Wiley|Wilson – Burns & McDonnell Joint Venture for a new military construction project that included three new facilities: the 100,000 square-foot Wargaming and Analysis Center, an adjacent parking facility spanning more than 130,000 square feet, and the Area Distribution Node (ADN), a separate structure that supports communication services to the facility.

Wargames simulate warfare and Marines use the exercises to enhance their tactical and strategic decision making approaches, test new theories, and even predict emerging trends in future conflicts. Therefore, the new Wargaming Center had to be an advanced, modern facility that fosters security, collaboration, and teamwork. The 110,000 square-foot Wargaming Center houses an auditorium, gaming classrooms, game cells, breakout rooms, and conference rooms. In these spaces, Marine Corps personnel can visualize threats, simulate different operating environments, and gain a competitive advantage over adversaries.

By definition, wargaming requires collaboration and teamwork. One of the signature features of the Wargaming Center is its mix of larger arenas that offer space to replicate remote operations units and smaller, separate breakout spaces that allow participants to conduct independent, secure assessments. These interactions can then be monitored and recorded by the game controllers, generating true-life and authentic learning opportunities for personnel.

Specific and sophisticated A/V design approaches were used throughout the Wargaming space to facilitate the users’ unique needs. The center control booth and wargaming arenas are configured to accommodate for four divisible wargaming rooms (four quadrants each ) for a wide variety of video and data monitoring and analysis including data screen, complex data visualizations, video production, maps, and collaboration data from other locations. Each quadrant system features fully integrated audio, video, and classified/unclassified IP based videoconferencing systems.

Construction Cost: $78

This facility is a big deal to us… and to those [young men and women] at Parris Island or at San Diego. There are a bunch of officer candidates training right now who have no idea what is going on here today. But they will benefit [from this facility].”

General Eric M. Smith – Commandant of the Marine Corps