UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Students in the Penn State School of International Affairs participated in the annual U.S. Army War College simulation on Friday, Nov. 4, to Saturday, Nov. 5.
Each year, the Army War College, based in Carlisle, sends a team with a crisis simulation to provide students with the opportunity to experience what a real-world crisis and resolution process could involve. Col. Michael Stinchfield, Lt. Col. Chris Miller, and Edmund "Cliffy' Zukowski oversaw the simulation, along with former U.S. Ambassador Dennis Jett, professor of international affairs at SIA, who acted as the United Nations Special Representative.
“It is the most popular part of INTAF 802, which is a core course on the fundamentals of diplomacy. The students really enjoy playing the parts they are assigned and get into their roles with enthusiasm,” said Jett. “Each year there is a different scenario about a particular international problem. This year it dealt with the South China Sea.”
Jett described how the simulation works. “The students were divided into seven teams representing the countries most directly involved — China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, U.S., Japan, and the Philippines. The fundamental skills are formulating and negotiating a strategy that represents your country's interests. We prepare for this event in several ways during the semester in order to develop those skills,” he said.
Retired Vice Admiral James W. Houck, interim dean of Penn State Law in University Park and SIA, said, “The Army War College simulation provides students with a multifaceted crisis scenario that tests their communication, strategic, and diplomatic skills. They gain hands-on experience outside of the classroom.”