corwin@ut-ngp.UUCP (Corwin, Lord of Amber) (11/06/84)
<Look out for Soviet Bugbears> In a conversation with a friend of mine who is currently attending IOC (Infantry Officer's Class) at the USMC base in Quantico, Va., it came to light that a "modern" training method uses a large scale diorama and game pieces to pit USMC units against OPFOR (OPposing FORces [read Soviet]) in simulated field actions. Perhaps the most amazing thing about this is that there is a relatively well thought out system of attack, defense, to hit, and damage rolls along with percentage adjustments for terrain, movement, and armor. Needless to say, the thought of grizzled Marine officers huddled around a table rolling dice to determine the outcome of an attack is a mite incongruous... Slipping into Shadow, Corwin, Lord of Amber