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What Is Discrete-Event Simulation?

Discrete-Event Simulation (DES) is a method of modeling real-world systems by focusing on the processes within the system. By creating a model of a system and simulating its use, one can glean quantitative insights, such as performance metrics, bottlenecks, decisions, resource usage or other process or performance issues. Due to the ability to split up a system into individual processes as well as perform multiple simulation iterations of a model, DES lends itself to potential distributed or parallel processing opportunities. This benefit increases the quantity and duration of runs possible to conduct leading to more larger, and potentially more accurate data output.

How Does This Impact The Marine Corps?

The Marine Corps Force Design 2030 effort relies on the the efforts of studies and wargames to inform its decisions. DES provides an additional step after the qualitative insights of wargames to hone findings through continued quantitative research. Problems such as optimal system composition (infantry battalion), command and control (kill webs), maneuverability (expeditionary efforts), and logistical studies are prime examples of areas that are ideal for DES application.