Title From battlefield to classroom: Leveraging military design thinking for enhanced officer training of multi-domain operations Authors Hornstra, S. P. A., Van Mook, W. N. K. A., Durning, S. J., Nelwan, S. P., Saylam, R., Wijnker, J. J., & Hoogenboezem, J. A. Summary This study sheds light on the application of the innovative military design thinking method within a military academic conference context to shape a training program to prepare NATO officers for multi-domain operations. In military operations, there is increasing emphasis on multi-domain operations across land, sea, air, space and cyberspace, with technology and cognitive domain operations playing key roles. However, it remains unclear how NATO can optimally prepare officers for multi-domain operations. We applied a military design thinking method in a military academic conference context, involving participants from diverse professional backgrounds (government, academia, industry and military), who are all experts in Command and Control, to design a blueprint for a training program for NATO officers to address multi-domain operations, concentrating on the operational rather than the tactical or strategical level. This blueprint outlines the tasks, knowledge, skills and attitudes required for multi-domain operations, and describes the conditions for such a training program. Our findings provide valuable insights for developing multi-domain operations training programs for NATO officers. Software MS Excel (v365-2025). Methods Military design thinking. Data description Demographic characteristics of implementers. Demographic characteristics of observers. Quantitative survey data. Peer interview data - Perceived learning needs of implementers. Quantitative data Components and conditions of a NATO training program for multi-domain operations officers.

MS Excel, 365 - 2025