Top Tactics 24 Wargaming Tournament
Marine Corps University is hosting the TOP TACTICS 24 (TT24) wargaming tournament, an online competition open to Marine Corps, Joint, and Allied personnel (capped at 1000 participants). The tournament runs from September through December 2024 and features three rounds of tactical, company-level gameplay focused on modern rifle company operations, with results informing future warfighting concepts in partnership with the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab.
Issued: August 16, 2024
1. Situation. Announcing Marine Corps University's (MCU) TOP TACTICS 24 (TT24) wargaming tournament. This is an online, competition hosted in MCU's Wargaming Cloud. Players complete as individuals against other players. Gameplay is asynchronous and turn based, enabling participants to complete turns independently. The tournament is open to all Marine Corps, Joint, and Allied personnel. The overall number of participants is capped at 1000. This is a tactical, company level tournament focused on a modern, contemporary fight. In a series of three rounds, players compete using a contemporary rifle company first, then a future concept company, and in the final round players customize the capabilities associated with the company they fight. This tournament is partnered with the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab to help inform future warfighting concepts, tactics and capabilities associated with the future rifle company. This tournament is using the prototype version of the Company Commander Modern wargame. 2. Execution. 2.A. Commanders Intent. This TT24 tournament is run via Marine Corps University's FIGHT CLUB which is an extracurricular activity aimed at offering participants an opportunity to practice tactical and operational decisions in the context of a wargame. Repetitions in wargaming hone an individual's cognitive competencies in warfighting. The scenario for TT24 is focused on rifle company tactics and warfighting concepts and capabilities. Feedback from participants will assist in informing future concepts, tactics, and capabilities associated with a rifle company attack. 2.B. Concept of Operations. The TT24 scenario is a 29 Palms, Emerson Lake, Rifle Company attack against a threat mechanized company. TT24 includes three rounds in which participants fight a paired match against an opponent. In a paired match, players compete in two parallel games playing red in one and blue in the other, with the scores from each game combined into a total score for the match. The time requirement to play a paired match in this scenario is approximately three hours of playing total. This is spread across ten to 20 turns. Players have approximately four weeks to complete their paired match in each round. Turns must be completed within 96 hours of receipt or players automatically forfeit the match. Players are encouraged to complete their turns within 24 hours of notification by email that it is their turn to play. 2.B.1. Round 1 - Current Company. Begins 5 Sep and concludes 1 Oct. 2.B.2. Round 2 - Future Company. Begins 9 Oct and concludes 4 Nov. 2.B.3. Round 3 - Force Builder. Begins 6 Nov and concludes 4 Dec. 2.B.4. Eligibility. The TT24 tournament is open to the first 1000 players to register. While the primary target audience is Marine Corps personnel, the tournament is open to participation from across the joint force and allies/partners. MCU reserves the right to limit participants from individual units to ensure an equitable distribution across the force. Generally, the max number of participants from an individual battalion is limited to 15 but may be exceeded on a case by case basis. 3. Administration and logistics 3.A. Tournament Registration. Registration closes on 23 Aug 2024. Players register individually via this online form: https:(SLASH)(SLASH)forms.office.com/r/wuQdRkQ5Dr 4. Command and Signal 4.A. MCU's Wargaming Cloud. All participants will be granted access to MCU's Wargaming Cloud capability for the duration of the tournament. Players will access the Wargaming Cloud from outside of the MCEN, playing from personal computers over the internet. 4.B. POC: MCU's Wargaming Director: Mr. Tim Barrick, Email: timothy.barrick@usmcu.edu. 4.B.1. MCU's M&S Officer: Captain Nate Tidwell, Email: timothy.tidwell@usmcu.edu. 5. Release authorized by Brigadier General M. W. Tracy, Commanding General, Education Command.