During a war game, who holds responsibility for the staff's actions?

The Chief of Staff (COS) is responsible for overseeing the actions of the staff during a war game. This role involves coordinating activities, managing the flow of information, and ensuring that all elements of the staff work together effectively to support the Commander’s intent and operational objectives. The Chief of Staff acts as a critical link between the Commander and the staff, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and communication in a high-pressure environment like a war game.

In this context, the Commander typically focuses on strategic decision-making and overall command authority, while the Executive Officer (XO) often manages day-to-day operations and assists the Commander but is not specifically tasked with overseeing staff actions. The Operations Officer is responsible for the planning and execution of specific operational tasks but does not have the overarching responsibility for staff coordination that falls under the Chief of Staff’s purview. Therefore, the Chief of Staff is uniquely positioned to assume accountability for the staff’s performance and decision-making processes during the war game.