The Pros And Cons Of Modeling And Simulations

The Dark Side of Modeling and Simulations in Test and Evaluations: The Ends Justifies the Means
“The ends justifies the means” is a loosely translated quotation of Niccolo Machiavelli commonly interpreted as doing whatever is necessary to get the result you want, regardless of the methods (Stipelman , 2012). Many articles have been written on the positive benefits of using Modeling and Simulation (M&S) in Test and Evaluation (T&E) but there have also been instances where it has created unsafe and hazardous situations under the false pretense of the “Ends justifies the Means”. The common attribute in the unsafe and hazardous situations is unethical judgment/behavior. Although those negative situations are few, the potential for a repeat

The easy answer is “never” but Major Eugene Reybold of the US Army Corps of Engineers had a different train of thought in 1937. MAJ Reybold had the idea of building a large-scale hydraulic model that would enable engineers to observe hydrology and plan control measure for flood control (Cheramie, 2011). Maj Reybold had the idea but needed a workforce. The three thousand German and Italian POWs in Clinton, Missouri gave MAJ Reybold a captive workforce. During the day, the POWs used the tools to dig the model but at night, they also used the tools to dig an effective escape tunnel. The tunnel worked and the POWs escaped but were later recaptured (Skates, n.d.). The lack of standards for equipment accountability in accordance with regulations allowed POWs to engineer a tunnel (Army Regulation 190-8, 1997). In this instance, The Mississippi basin model to set conditions for unethical judgment/behavior with a lack of standards. The results were manifested in a prison escape which endangered the civilian population of Clinton

The lack of standards with the Missouri Basin Project, the disregard of the proper rules of conduct with the San Francisco Bay Simulated Attack with biological weapons, and the lack of moral principles in OPERATION UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE resulted in dangerous and/or deadly consequences. In all three cases, the cause of is unethical judgment/behavior with the vehicle of M&S use in T&E. Some would argue that there are protocols in effect today to govern the use of M&S in T&E but there were also protocols within above three instances that were ignored by Government and Military Leaders who made their successful careers by following rules and regulations. M&S in T&E is far too dangerous and has the potential to cause further harm if continued. At this point, we should cease M&S in T&E before we learn an additional chapter in history where the “Ends do not justify the