Services

Exercises

Tabletop and Field Training Inspection Exercises

Tabletop and field training exercises are valuable tools for inspection planning. These types of exercises have been conducted prior to and subsequent to entry into force of every arms control agreement that includes on-site inspection provisions. Exercises depict actual inspection activities either in and around the actual facility, or in a tabletop environment. During exercises, a number of different "what if" scenarios are portrayed to help facilities test their inspection plans, evaluate specific compliance verification activities, and train their staffs to employ appropriate security countermeasures and methodologies.

The DTIRP Approach

Field training exercises (FTX) are important capstone events for assuring the successful implementation of on-site inspection activities. However, an FTX can require substantial resources, particularly personnel. In order to maximize the value of an FTX as the culminating event of a training cycle, other training opportunities, including tabletop exercises (TTX), can play an important role. In addition to being less expensive to organize and conduct, a TTX is a very efficient tool for training focused on specific aspects inspection implementation, particularly inspection management.

DTIRP has long utilized TTXs as well as hybrid training events that combine a TTX format with other elements ranging from moderated roundtable discussions and workshops through field demonstrations and role-playing vignettes. A good example of this practice was a recent three-day TTX based on the notional occurrence of a CWC challenge inspection at a U.S. facility within a specific U.S. combatant command’s (COCOM) area of responsibility.

This training focused on the COCOM host team leader (two star) and his staff for managing and coordinating challenge inspection activities at a U.S. military facility overseas. Briefing presentations, a moderated workshop and tabletop scenario play combined to comprise the training activities. DTIRP coordinated the participation of representatives of all relevant U.S. government organizations, including JCS, OSD, and the Department of State, to provide the COCOM with an economical, yet effective means of exercising their treaty implementation and compliance plans.

For more information about DTIRP-supported exercises, contact the DTIRP Outreach Program Coordinator at 1.800.419.2899, or by e-mail at dtirpoutreach@dtra.mil.