Accidents, weapons: radiation is real, but effects dramatized or fictionalized? Fact v fiction, potential. Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., physicist, 12 years' Naval War College experience, NSDM staff
Description:
Nuclear reactor and weapons accidents, radiological assassination tools and terrorists' weapons of mass destruction, fallout from nuclear tests and even nuclear combat, hazards of medical waste. Radiation is real, but how much of the threat is dramatized or fictionalized by authors and screenplay writers, or demagogued by activists with agendas? Lecture discusses the history and the potential, and attempts to separate the facts, engineering and science from the science fiction and demagoguery. Presented by Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., a physicist with 12 years' experience at the Naval War College, currently on the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
Russians overrun Europe’s largest nuclear reactor site. Shells fall in sites' perimeters. Media sensationalize doom. The real risk, what's been done. Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., on NSDM staff.
Description:
With combat raging across Ukrainian nuclear reactor sites and sites changing hands between Ukraine and Russia, with shells, rockets and missiles landing inside the sites' perimeters, concerns of nuclear accidents spring to mind with memories of Three Mile Island, Fukushima and, ironically in the case of Ukraine, Chernobyl. Minimally-informed media personalities breathlessly proclaim gloom and doom. What are the facts, what is fiction, drama and demagoguery? Lecture examines the accident potential, discusses the recent war history, steps taken to reduce the threats, and disinformation campaigns. Presented by Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., a physicist and former nuclear submarine officer with 12 years' experience at the Naval War College, on the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
Teaching the History of the American Revolution Through Role Play
Summary:
Describes Revolution Crisis RPG, in which students experience events that turned colonists from mostly-loyal British subjects to revolt, and exercises team building, communication, negotiation skills.
Description:
National Security Decision Making Game, Inc. designers discuss the American Revolution Crisis Game. The team has conducted seminar gaming since 1990, using professional techniques. As the US observes the 250th anniversary of key events, they felt it was a good time to reflect on personalities, agendas, events & energies that drove decisions. Developed in 2022 to create an interactive learning tool for the SHS and undergrad History-101 level, the game presents history in an experiential format that may impart insight a student won't get from books & lectures. On younger levels it also exercises team building, communication & negotiation skills. Historical figures included, amalgamated, excluded; events injected, counter-factual events to keep outcomes uncertain. How background material is provided, player aids used, character agendas applied. Game itself will be run Saturday at 6 pm.
Type XXI U-boat, Guppy, Whisky & Early Cold War Underwater
Summary:
With WW II over, US wanted hunter-killer subs, Soviets wanted subs that could cut Atlantic supply lines. Both adapted German Type XXI U-boat technology. Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., on NSDM staff.
Description:
Start of Cold War: US & Soviet navies need to stake claims in their respective national security constructs. Soviets can't compete with West's navies symmetrically, made same decision the Germans had in both world wars: make a submarine force able to cut Atlantic supply lines. US submarine service recognized where Soviets were heading, evolved existing subs to an anti-submarine role. Both used the most technologically sophisticated sub in the world as a design template, the German Type XXI U-boat. Type XXI design requirements sprung from Battle for the North Atlantic, features attractive to Superpowers. Soviet Whisky class & its combat roll. US "GUPPY" adaptation of WW II Fleet boats to hunter-killers. Injections of Type XXI technology. Capt. Mark McDonagh, USN/ret., former submarine officer with 12 years' Naval War College experience, on the National Security Decision Making Game staff.