ARRC NEWS
LTC David and Maj Fambrini
U . K . FIGHT CLUB : GAMING AT THE ARRC
Military professionals at NATO ’ s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps are playing videogames , and many are talking about it . The U . K . ‘ Fight Club ’ exists to experiment , learn and test theories about how to operate in modern war .
“ Because the games are digital and people can install them on their personal computers , it ’ s really proliferated the use of the games during the pandemic and kept people busy getting better at their day job while at home ,” said one of U . K . Fight Club ’ s co-founders , U . S . Army Lieutenant Colonel Arnel David .
What started as an adaptation of what other military organisations around the world are testing , the ARRC ’ s multinational framework has allowed for a variety of players to join the fun where players engage in battle games .
“ When I heard about it , it was like lightening !” said Italian Army Major Giancarlo Fambrini , from the ARRC ’ s Plans Branch . “ The concept was so simple and powerful . Its destiny is to succeed thanks to accessibility , potential and fun .”
Major Fambrini , who also started his own chapter with colleagues in Italy , highlighted that the club merges passion , socialisation and fun – powerful tools for human learning and development , without hierarchies , time and space limits , classification issues and compressive structures .
“ Interacting in this initiative is exciting and instructive , because we are spending our spare time having fun together , in a constructive way ; learning from each other , developing professional networks and socialising during forced isolation times ,” Major Fambrini added . “ It is using the new generations ’ ways of socialisation to bring together people who share the same backgrounds and passions .”
Andrew Elliott , from the ARRC ’ s Operational Analysis & Research Branch said the initiative was received very well in the ARRC and encourages anyone interested to join .
“ We have a number of experienced seniors who ’ ve laid the foundations for success for us , but the new generation of soldiers and officers who ’ ve been brought up with gaming as part of their lives are really taking the Fight Club mantra and message of ‘ think , fight , learn , repeat ’ on board ,” said Elliott , a co-founder of U . K . Fight Club who also runs professional wargames at the ARRC .
OARB ’ s Andrew Elliot
Elliot also noted the club is important because of its long-term strategic goal of changing organisational culture about wargaming for the better . This includes a three-step plan to encourage professional wargaming , improve military training and education and enhance analysis by increasing professional soldier involvement in analytical wargames .
Wargaming has informed me professionally
The gaming platform has a variety of games with different military echelons of commands integrated that simulate real world scenarios .
“ Wargaming has informed me professionally ,” said British Army Major James Alder , “ One game we played emulated a particular scenario in the Baltics and employed current systems ; these were found to be lacking in certain aspects and , as I move into a procurement job , these lessons will help me to inform future equipment plans .”
The initiative is joint and multinational by design added Major Fambrini . “ Being without strong limits and structures , it has the potential to integrate procedures , develop knowledge and enhance respect within different services and different nationalities .”
NEWS IN BRIEF
Cpl Cooper receives a Queen ’ s Commendation for Valuable Service
Cpl Louise Cooper from ARRC Support Battalion received he QVSM for providing administrative support to Op Shader where she was acting two ranks up in a Staff Sergeant ’ s post throughout her tour . Her main role was providing personnel policy advice to Commander British Forces for more than 1000 operational troops deployed . Her citation describes how she was ‘ undaunted by the task , delivering everything that was asked of her and more , showed insight and maturity beyond her rank and was an exemplary role model to her peers and juniors ’.
Cpl Cooper on LOLE20
ARRC Staff Member assists in School Emergency
On Monday 1st February 2021 , there was an incident outside Innsworth Junior School where a pupil slipped on some mud on his way out of school and slid under a car , trapping his ankle underneath the front tyre .
The emergency services needed to be called to the scene . While school staff were supporting the child and mother , who were extremely distressed , OR4 Paul di Fiore from HQ ARRC who was waiting for his own child at the time , offered assistance to try and lift the car off the child ’ s ankle . He acted swiftly and organised some other parents to help . He then found a car jack to raise the car enough so that the paramedic was able to slide the child ’ s ankle out .
The child was assessed and found to have bruising but no other injuries . The school were extremely grateful for his quick thinking and assistance .
OR4 Paul DI FIORE works in the Italian National Support Element at HQ ARRC as an administration clerk and is also the designated driver to DCOMARRC .
OR4 Paul di Fiore
the imjin SPRING 2021
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