Wargames and the Veteran
To begin with, I am not a "combat veteran." This often leads to awkward conversations when people see, old on-legged me, stumping around in a US Navy Ball cap or t-shirt. No. I wasn't blown up or shot. And the only shots I "fired in anger" were from hundreds of miles away from any enemy. But I was injured in military service, and because I am an alum of the nation's oldest military college, I have lost friends in every single branch of the military. Additionally, my father, an uncle and both grandfathers are veterans of some of the fiercest combat of the 20th century.
So I am sensitive to some things. I tend to be very choosy about wargames. I don't think I will ever be able to play games based upon the battles in Fallujah, or Operation Gothic Serpent (Black Hawk Down), or anything that takes place in Afghanistan circa 2011. There are too many faces and names that would be brought to mind by association with those events. I enjoy board gaming as an escape and as a form of therapy. Reenergizing those painful memories would accomplish neither goal, and could even result in my having to contact a therapist again.
Wargaming can be a LOT of fun. But historic wargames that are based upon real events can be triggering for those of us who experienced those events. In my case, I was often sitting in some far away CIC or TOC. But make no mistake, it was the late 20th century. I saw friends die on video feeds from Predator Drones. I listened to the radio reports when someone was injured or killed. And while I can see how some people find that playing games related to their own combat expeirence can be healing, for me and most of the vets I know, it can be triggering. Sure - it might be great to play a scenario and imagine saving my friends' lives this time. But what if they die again. I don't care to relive those moments that way. And in my experience, neither do most combat veterans.
This is where historic context comes in. The anonymity of the counters in most historic wargames keeps me comfortably distanced from relatives who fought and were wounded or killed in historic battles. Sure. there is the Captain of Pennsylvania Cavalry, Patrick Fleming, buried at Arlington mere steps from General Lee's mansion. And my Dad's uncle died on Bataan. But those are far enough back in family history and lore that it doesn't feel the same as if I were moving cardboard members of the 75th Ranger Battalion down a dusty, Mogadishu street in 1993.
I love Mike Lambo's solitaire games for this reason. He balances the planning and tactics of combat, whether on a large scale (Battles of Medieval Britain, Battles of Napoleonic Europe), or the smaller unit or individual scale (Lone Sherman, Long Range Recon Patrol). As it happens, I did have ancestors and older relatives involved in all of the wars represented by this game. But, I had to endure reading about my ancestor being behaded by Richard III in high school class reading Shakespeare, so these games don't touch any nerves.
What wargaming does for me is to scratch a certain itch, and allow me to exercise the mental muscles I developed as a junior naval officer who then, as now, probably liked to think of himself as a better strategist and tactician than he really was, or is. Playing a game like Compass' Golden Age of Piracy: 1718 (Joe Carter, 2025) is an outlet for my role playing enjoyment and a challenge for the part of me that enjoys puzzling out international intrigue and conflict as well as military strategy, tactics, and the most important aspect; logistics. Dan Verssen Game's Leader Series (my Favorite is Phantom Leader - Dan Verssen, 2010) let's me revel in the play of intelligence gathering, planning, loading out, and executing strikes just like the old days. but in a "safer" way. The same goes for many other wargames set in the past or future. Something about charts, tables, and detailed lists of each turns actions and choices clear my head and let me focus on the things I once sought to master in real lifem but now - no lives are on the line, I can enjoy combat for a couple hours, and still be calm and ready for bed after.
As I have written before. Board gaming is a health hobby (as long as we don't become addicted to chasing and purchasing every new title, or crowdfunding every cool looking "big box"). Board gaming, including wargaming, has been found to benefit brain health, and emotional well-being. As a solo pursuit, it can strengthen neural networs and synaptic function, and may delay or prevent age-related cognitive challenges. As a multi-player experience, it can be enormously life-affirming, provide a strong envrionment for laughter and joy and provide all of the benefits of solo gaming as well. Even the visual and tactile elements of playing board games can be grounding and aid with emotional regulation. And all of these points have helped me justify my own purchases and crowdfunding support. Make of that what you will - but don't tell your SO that I said you had to pledge that $800 "all-in" bundle you've been lusting after. That's the subject for another post.
Enjoy your week! PLAY ON!
--- Dr. Matt
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