Past use of simulations in educational environments has focused primarily on tactile and psychomotor skills rather than cognitive development. Our research explores the hypothesis that imbedded simulations in the military’s institutional learning environment improves the quality and outcome of thinking and decision-making skills and leads to a more selfaware and adaptive leader. Current literature indicates that changes in learning theory and instructional pedagogy have undergone radical changes in the past two decades. Furthermore, technological capabilities now offered by simulations and simulators, automation, digital command and control systems and e-learning have created unlimited opportunities in education and training.

Two studies that were conducted within the School for Command Preparation (SCP) at FT. Leavenworth, Kansas demonstrate significant improvement in a leader’s perception of his or her decision-making skills as well as an increase in content retention rate. The second study demonstrated that the use of interactive multimedia simulation in an online learning environment significantly improved retention over a text-based learning format across learning styles. This paper offers a modern approach to instructional methodology that integrates advances in learning theory with technology and creates opportunities for deliberate practice that increases student experience and knowledge retention. It offers a methodology for applying simulations to classroom instruction and a framework for a spectrum of simulations.