Marine Corps University opens AI wargaming contest with an adaptive opponent

Marine Corps University is recruiting players for an online tournament in which AI will serve as both an opponent and a postgame review aid. Announced October 14, the FIGHT CLUB Humans vs. Machine Mindgame Tournament will run from December 1, 2026, through April 1, 2027. Applications are due November 14.

The competition will take place through the university’s Wargaming Cloud using Command Professional Edition, a digital wargaming platform. Players will face two scenarios: a carrier strike group fighting another carrier strike group, and a drone swarm scenario. The Marine Corps describes the tournament as a step toward integrating autonomous AI agents into wargaming—not simply another contest against a conventional computer opponent.

An opponent without a fixed playbook

Strategy Robot developed the AI adversary. According to the Marine Corps announcement, quoted by DefenseScoop, it uses strategic reasoning and computational game theory to generate possible courses of action, evaluate them and change its approach during play. Officials say it will assess battlefield conditions, anticipate an opponent’s actions and adjust as the game unfolds.

The distinction officials draw is between following a predetermined sequence and responding to a thinking adversary. The AI is designed to adapt under uncertainty and actively outmaneuver human players. Those are the announced design goals for the opponent, rather than results from this tournament, which has not yet begun.

A conversation after simulated combat

The after-action review capability gives the competition a second AI component. It features a large language model, the technology behind conversational AI tools. Participants will be able to ask questions about game data, examine their decisions and look for performance patterns. The stated purpose is to help them identify strengths, weaknesses and ways to improve their decision-making.

Marine Corps University says the competition will explore AI’s potential to support wargaming, player development and performance analysis. The tournament sits within its FIGHT CLUB extracurricular wargaming program, which offers competitive simulations for practicing tactical and operational decisions. That educational purpose extends beyond identifying who finishes at the top of the scoreboard.

Who can enter—and how scores count

Eligibility reaches beyond active-duty Marines. Active-duty and reserve Marines, joint-force members, Defense Department-associated government civilians and contractors, and personnel from allied military organizations may apply. MeriTalk reports that applications must go through the university’s Wargaming webpage by 11:59 p.m. ET on November 14, 2026.

Applicants with experience using Command: Modern Operations or Command Professional Edition will receive preference, but people willing to learn may also apply. Selection will consider wargaming experience, interest in the competition and professional development goals. The university plans tutorials and practice sessions before the December 1 start.

Selected players can face the AI multiple times, subject to software license availability. To qualify for final standings, each participant must complete at least five games in each scenario. Organizers will average a player’s five highest scores in each scenario, then combine those averages. The final ranking therefore uses the best qualifying performances, rather than an average of every game played.

An online scoreboard will track standings throughout the competition. Awards will recognize top overall competitors and top Marine participants; the announcement does not specify the prizes.