Study 8: Military design thinking: Shaping a new training program for Dutch Civil-Military Cooperation officers

In this study, we applied this military design thinking method within a military exercise context to shape an actual officer training program. The Dutch armed forces are chiefly trained and experienced in protecting and promoting the international rule of law and stability. However, facing the challenges of the current military and geopolitical status quo, the Dutch armed forces, including civil military interaction officers, require more focus on defending their own territory and that of their allies.

Consequently, some training programs of these civil military interaction officers require a redesign. We described the execution of the successive phases of the military design thinking process - namely STARTEX, Reconnaissance, Development, Consolidation and Implementation - to shape a defensive training program for civil-military interaction officers of the Royal Netherlands Army who are specialized in civil administration.

This performance of the military design thinking method resulted in the blueprint of such a training program, detailing the tasks to be performed and the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be trained, as well as the conditions of this officer training program. Furthermore, we formulated recommendations regarding the future usage of military design thinking fostering organizational innovation within the military setting, including their training programs.

First, align the academic and military perspectives on military design thinking. Second, strive for an optimal balance between support of the stakeholders and feasibility of the training program. Third, encourage and enable subordinates to experiment and learn as a group.

Fourth, prototype elements of the training program through a step-by-step process. Future research could focus on the transferability of the military design thinking method to other military settings. Additionally, applying and investigating military design thinking in shaping a NATO training program for multi-domain operations officers at an operational level would be a valuable contribution.

Software MS Excel (v365-2024).

Methods

Military design thinking.

Data description

Demographic characteristics of participants. Quantitative survey data. Peer interview data - Perceived learning needs of participants.

Quantitative data Company generic and platoon specific tasks of civil-military interaction officers of the Politics company in a main task 1 scenario, including knowledge, skills and attitudes to be trained, and conditions of that training program.