01122nas a2200145   4500000000100000000000100001008004100002260001600043100001800059700002100077245006300098300000900161490000600170520080000176       2009                            d  cSpring 20091 aTodor Tagarev1 aGueorgui Stankov00aA Gaming Approach to Enhancing Defense Resource Allocation  a7-160 v83 a<p>This article describes the approach and the experience of the Defense and Force Management Department at the “G. S. Rakovski” Defense and Staff College in Sofia, Bulgaria in conducting interactive simulations that support decision making on force structure, force development programs, and the respective allocation of resources. The primary purpose of the simulation is to educate students (mostly senior military and civilian MOD personnel) in the intricacies of defense planning and programming in a changing environment, and to provide hands-on experience in defense programming and budgeting. In addition, it allows participants to explore the space of potential policy alternatives, force structuring, and programming decisions, thus serving as a powerful decision-support tool.</p>