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CHIEF OF MISSION SECURITY TRAINING
Decision-Making in Simulated Scenarios
THE ASU ADVANTAGE
As a newly appointed U.S. Ambassador, what choices would you make in a pre-crisis situation?
What are the implications of those decisions?
When would you consult with Washington D.C?
How would you balance security risks with diplomatic, social and political dimensions?
Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann (ret) President American Academy of Diplomacy
Serious Gaming for Informed Action
U.S. Ambassadors serve a critical role in managing foreign relations. Ambassadors consider policy goals, threat risks and mission objectives while maintaining international diplomacy. Newly appointed ambassadors learn to examine problems as they arise and respond with situational nuance.
The Chief of Mission Security Training provides an interactive, increasingly complex series of scenarios that allow newly appointed U.S. ambassadors to consider decision-making in unexpected environments. Through an immersive gaming platform, Ambassador trainees and Deputy Chiefs of Mission follow simulated missions and face crucial decisions that impact the course of future events.
The Decision Theater’s Ambassador Training program develops Ambassadors’ mental capacity in decision-making, systems thinking, and anticipatory competence in pre-crisis situations.
The Game
Each scenario is loaded in a flexible decision tree framework.Each player assumes their role as an advisor or Ambassador and follows the training’s events and action prompts.
• Full day training follows a crawl/walk/run approach
• Choices made in the game trigger customized flagsand outcomes
The Facilitation
Each game is led by a trained facilitator,as well as a Senior Mentor with experience in the field. The Senior Mentor provides advice and feedback to the Ambassador trainee as needed throughout decision points in each scenario.
• Each game event opens opportunities for discussion and learning
• Trainees can return to key decision points and re-play outcomes throughout the game
The Outcome
Training sessions conclude with a Reflection panel, where the choices the Ambassador trainee made in the game are summarized and discussed. Diplomatic Security Officers and newly assigned ambassadors have the opportunity to reflect on the decisions made and discuss alternative approaches in the future.
This model was developed by the Decision Theater’s team of software engineers, game designers, curriculum experts, and graphic artists in partnership with retired ambassadors and diplomatic security experts from the American Academy of Diplomacy.
