Road to the Commandant's Cup
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Announcing the 4th Annual Commandant's Cup Wargaming Tournament, with finals scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., during the Modern Day Marine Expo from 12–15 April 2027.
1. Situation.
The Road to the Commandant's Cup is defined by two stages: Part 1 The Qualifier Rounds and Part 2 the in-person Commandant's Cup Finals at Modern Day Marine. The Part 1 Qualifier Events determine eligibility for the Finals. The Qualifier Events consist of 4 rounds of asynchronous, virtual wargames played via the Marine Corps University's Wargaming Cloud from September through February. Part 2 involves a unit invitation based on the player standings emerging from the Qualifier Events.
The Qualifier rounds are conducted through Marine Corps University's (MCU) FIGHT CLUB, an extracurricular activity that provides participants an opportunity to practice tactical and operational decision-making in a digital wargame environment aimed at improving cognitive warfighting skills.
The Commandant's Cup Finals are an annual in-person wargaming tournament held at Modern Day Marine, where top wargamers from across the Marine Corps, Joint Force, and allied militaries compete in a team-based, four-day, multi-wargame competition.
2. Tournament Construct.
The Road to the Commandant's Cup consists of a series of qualifying events followed by the Commandant's Cup Finals. The tournament combines individual and team competition.
2.A. Rounds and Matches. There are four qualifying rounds. In each round, competitors play a mirrored match against a human opponent. A mirrored match consists of two simultaneous games against the same opponent, with each player taking opposing sides in each game (for example, playing Blue in one game and Red in the other).
2.B. Games. Each qualifying round features a different wargame, taking players through the evolution of warfare from the Napoleonic era, through World War II, and into the modern era. Players face a variety of combined-arms tactical dilemmas and game systems that test decision-making across different historical and operational contexts.
2.C. Swiss Format. Round 1 pairings are randomly assigned. Beginning in Round 2, players are paired using a Swiss-system format based on prior-round results. After Round 4, the qualifier leaderboard determines individual standings.
2.D. Team Format for the Finals at Modern Day Marine. Players register and compete in the Qualifier Rounds individually. Then, at the conclusion of the Qualifier Events, teams are formed consisting of the top performing players from common commands. For purposes
of this tournament, a common command is defined as sharing an O-5 (LtCol), O-6 (Col), O-7 (BGen), O-8 (MajGen), or O-9 (LtGen) level command relationship. Selection for the Commandant's Cup Finals is based on identifying the highest-performing players within a common command, not on the proximity of players' immediate commands. For example, if one member of an O-5-level unit performs well while another does not, and another player from the same higher-level O-9 command ranks among the top performers, the invitation may be awarded based on the broader command structure. In effect, players compete for the opportunity to represent their common O-9-level command at the Commandant's Cup Finals. Depending on overall qualifier results, multiple units within an O-9 command (such as within a MEF) may receive invitations based on merit.
2.E. MCU Wargaming Cloud. Qualifier events are conducted virtually through MCU's Wargaming Cloud. Gameplay is asynchronous and turn-based, allowing participants to complete turns independently.
2.F. Player Eligibility. Qualifier events are open to active and reserve members of the Marine Corps, Joint Force, and allied organizations. Participation is capped at 1,000 players. Units may enter multiple individuals; however, O-5-level commands are limited to eight individuals. MCU may further limit participation from individual units to ensure equitable representation from across the force, based on total registration numbers. Participants from professional military education (PME) organizations receive priority for entry.
3. Execution
3.A. Commander's Intent. The Commandant's Cup Wargaming Tournament is designed to demonstrate the value of wargaming as a tool for sharpening cognitive decision-making in tactical and operational warfighting scenarios. Through competition, the tournament seeks to identify and recognize participants who exhibit exceptional creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. This year's Road to the Cup theme, The Evolution of Warfare, takes players from the origins of maneuver warfare in the Napoleonic age to near-future conflicts shaped by the complexity of modern capabilities. From ball and bayonet to missiles and drones, the qualifier events highlight both the enduring nature of war and its evolving character.
3.B. Concept of Operations.
3.B.1. Qualifier Event 1: Napoleon at War. Napoleon at War is a battle simulation of warfare during the Napoleonic era. It is a classic hex-and-counter, turn-based wargame. Qualifier Event 1 begins 14 September and concludes 19 October.
3.B.2. Qualifier Event 2: Company Commander WWII. Company Commander WWII is a tactical-level wargame modeling World War II ground combat at the company level, featuring individual vehicles and squads. Qualifier Event 2 begins 26 October and concludes 30 November.
3.B.3. Qualifier Event 3: Company Commander Modern. This scenario, to be announced, features a Marine Expeditionary Unit operating in the Western Pacific. Units include individual squads, vehicles, and drones. Qualifier Event 3 begins 7 January and concludes 4 February.
3.B.4. Qualifier Event 4: Littoral Commander. Littoral Commander is the digitized version of the commercial tabletop wargame. It explores future tactical concepts, emerging technologies, and all-domain warfare. Qualifier Event 4 begins 8 February and concludes 8 March.
3.C. Expected Time Commitment and Tempo of Play. Completing a paired match in a qualifier event typically requires approximately 3–4 hours of total game play, distributed across 10–20 iterative turns. Players have five weeks to complete each paired match. Participants who fail to complete turns in a timely manner risk automatic forfeiture. The ideal pace is to complete turns within 24 hours of receiving notification; however, field exercises and other operational or personal obligations may occasionally cause delays. In general, players are expected to maintain a tempo of one turn every 24–48 hours. Participants who consistently fail to meet this expectation may be removed from the tournament.
3.D. CDET Extra Credit. Students enrolling in AY-27 College of Distance Education and Training (CDET) seminars who participate in Qualifier Rounds will be awarded additional percentage points toward their overall course grade for completing qualifying round events and advancing in the competition. Grading policy will be managed by the individual CDET college: Enlisted College Distance Education Program, EWS Distance Education Program, and CSC Distance Education Program. Students are responsible for notifying their adjunct faculty of their participation so that their participation and performance can be validated.
4. Administration and Logistics
4.A. Tournament Registration. Registration for the Road to the Cup closes on 21 August 2026 at 2359 Eastern Time. Registering for the Road to the Cup enrolls an individual in the qualifier tournament. Late registrations will not be accepted.
4.B. Travel Funding. Subject to available funding, MCU will fund travel to Modern Day Marine for USMC teams that receive an invitation to the Commandant's Cup Finals. Invited teams will receive additional coordinating instructions at that time. Non-USMC teams are responsible for self-funding travel to the finals event. Reserve units must be able to place participating players on ADOS orders during Modern Day Marine in order for MCU to fund travel.
5. Command and Signal
5.A. MCU Wargaming Cloud. All participants will be granted access to MCU's Wargaming Cloud for the duration of the qualifier events in which they compete. Participants will access the system from outside the Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN) using personal computers and an internet connection.
5.B. Points of Contact. MCU's Wargaming Director, Mr. Tim Barrick, and M\&S Officer, Capt Nathan Tidwell, may be reached at wargaming@usmcu.edu
Click on the link at the top of this page to register for the Road to the Commandant's Cup 2027!
Wargaming cloud
The Marine Corps University's Wargaming Cloud capability provides tactical, operational, and strategic digital wargames across a wide range of historical and modern scenarios. The Cloud environment allows users to access these wargames from their personal devices on any network outside of MCEN. Below is the list of digital wargames currently available on the Wargaming Cloud. All wargame descriptions below are provided by the wargame's respective vendor.
This page only provides resources for the digital wargames in the Wargaming Cloud and does NOT provide access to the Wargaming Cloud itself.
Command Professional Edition
Manual
Command: Professional Edition is the next generation in cross-domain modern wargaming. It enables you to simulate every military engagement from post World War II to the present day and beyond. The scale is primarily tactical/operational, although strategic scale operations are also possible.
Flashpoint Campaigns Professional Edition
Manual | Game Operations | Professional Features | Transport Operations
Flashpoint Campaigns: Professional Edition is the preeminent Land Domain wargaming tool for training, education, and analysis of tactical combat at Brigade level and below. Challenge users to synchronize their combat power to achieve effects in an environment clouded with electronic warfare and unmanned systems.
Strategic Command World War I
Manual
Strategic Command: World War I is a new chapter in the Strategic Command Franchise. Relive this momentous conflict from the opening shots of 1914 to the final offensives. Strategic Command: World War I covers all the main aspects and theatres of the war.
WarPlan
Manual
WarPlan is an incredibly accurate World War II simulation engine. It is a balance of realism and playability incorporating the best from 50 years of World War II board wargaming. Play a recreated World War II in every detail, thanks to the engine flexibility and database
HexWar / Code Wizards Game Suite
Tournament Enrollment
The HexWar / Code Wizards Game Suite offers a variety of digital wargames at the tactical, operational, and strategic level. Below is a list of just a few of the wargames in the Suite. Information on the other HexWar's games in the Wargaming Cloud can be found here.
Company Commander
Manual | In-Game Help
Master tactical warfare from Red vs. Blue doctrines to cutting-edge force design! Command armies from WWII to modern day, including German, U.S., U.K., and Chinese forces, across diverse battlefields. Build your ultimate army with the ‘Force Builder,’ tailoring units for epic, customizable missions.
Modern warfare brings thrilling challenges: drones, smart weapons, and tight resource management—no endless stockpiles here! Connect to HexWar’s AAR feature for insights from over 100,000 data points per scenario or use the BAR feature for a deep dive into strategy and performance. The battlefield awaits!
Littoral Commander
In-Game Help
Multi-domain warfare in the modern age. A digital version of the excellent board game of the same name by Sebastian Bae.
Coming Spring 2025: This is the digital version of the outstanding wargame of 2023 by Sebatian Bae. A ‘grand tactical’ wargame which explores the future of warfare. The game is designed to be accessible to all levels of players, whether civilian or military, and with no experience with games necessary to play (though it is helpful!). Utilizing a dynamic card-oriented game system, Littoral Commander offers fast-paced, accessible, and flexible gameplay with plenty of player interaction.
Division Commander
In-Game Help
Face the challenges of high level decision making in the modern age.
A ‘battalion level simulation of conflict in contemporary Europe’, Division Commander gradually introduces players to the most complex version of mechanics of modern warfare. The initial game scenario is for War College-level education on the conduct of World War III operations at Division/Brigade level between NATO and Russian Federation forces, in the Baltic Region.
DIGICAT
The Digital Course of Action Tool (DIGICAT) being developed by Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific is a digitized version of the Operational Wargame System. The Alpha version is available to play in the HexWar / Code Wizards Game Suite.
Faculty
Director: Mr. Tim Barrick
Mr. Barrick served in the Marine Corps for 29 years, retiring as a Colonel in spring 2021. He served in a wide range of billets including command of 1st Tank Battalion and the Marine Corps Tactics & Operations Group. He also served in key planning positions on the staffs of Marine Forces Japan, Marine Forces Europe & Africa, and deployed on three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He served as a brigade advisor team lead working with Afghan security forces in 2011-12. In his last tour on active duty, he was the Wargaming Director for the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, focused on analyzing future warfighting and the Marine Corps’ force design. He is also the lead designer for the Operational Wargame System and its Assassin’s Mace and Zapad game modules, which examine great power conflict at the tactical and operational levels of war. He is also a leading innovator for commercial wargaming tools in professional military education. He is a distinguished graduate of the Marine Corps War College and the Naval War College, and an honor graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School. He also served as the Director of Leaders & Ethics at the Marine Corps War College. In addition to his masters degrees from these PME schools, he also earned a master’s degree in Military Studies in Land Warfare from American Military University and is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a degree in Political Science.
Deputy Director: Mrs. Calleen Bottenberg
Mrs. Bottengberg's biography is in the works!
Modeling & Simulation Officer: Captain Nathan Tidwell, USMC
Capt Tidwell began his Marine Corps career serving as a platoon commander at 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. After his second deployment to the Pacific, Capt Tidwell received orders to Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) to pursue an MS in Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulations (MOVES). Capt Tidwell's research at NPS focused on artificial intelligence for wargaming, specifically leveraging reinforcement learning and multi-model approaches to develop combat simulation agents. In addition to his MS in MOVES, Capt Tidwell holds a BS in Systems Engineering from the United States Naval Academy.
If you would like to contact the Krulak Center, please email Wargaming@USMCU.edu.