by Armchair Dragoons PAO, 6 May 2026
The Origins War College at Origins Game Fair has been an institution for decades and continues to provide an excellent and wide-ranging array of seminars, discussions, and panels to educate, inform, and entertain.
The bulk of the events at the Origins War College are programmed by either the Armchair Dragoons or the National Security Decision Making Game team, but are not limited to those teams. Anyone can offer a War College Event! However, over the past few years, the trend has been that very few people have submitted any, which leads to those 2 groups organizing and coordinating the schedules.
Events are listed alphabetically by event title, although we’ve stripped “Armchair Dragoons” off the front of our events. You can also look them up by event number.
25th Anniversary- How 9/11 Changed America
Thursday at 10:00 PM
Event# 6288 in Room A #221 – War College for 120 minutes
Examine with us the lasting national and international impacts of this event.
with Merle Robinson & NSDMG Staff
70th Anniversary: The Suez Crisis
Thursday at 5:00 PM
Event# 6310 in A #222 & A223 – NSDMG for 60 minutes
Explore the history of the 1956 Suez Crisis involving Egypt, Israel, the United Kingdom, & France, triggered by Egypt’s nationalization of the Suez Canal. Highlights include the decline of British and French influence in the region and the growing role of the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
with Scott MacMann
Against a Common Foe: the U.S. British Armies in Normandy
Saturday at 6:00 PM
Event# 6303 in Room A #221 – War College for 60 minutes
The U.S and British Armies in Normandy (what they were and how they fought). Presented By Sean Barnett. Sponsored by NSDMG
with Sean Barnett
Antiquity at War: Military efforts to preserve culture
Saturday at 12:00 PM
Event# 6315 in A #222 & A223 – NSDMG for 60 minutes
Review examples and approaches to preserving cultural heritage in times of war. Sponsored by NSDMG.
with Kathleen Caffrey
Are Comics Dead? The Bankruptcy of Diamond Comics
Friday at 10:00 AM
Event# 6312 in A #222 & A223 – NSDMG for 60 minutes
Review the decline and fall of Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. — They filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2025,& to Chapter 7 in December 2025. The plan involved selling parts of the business to Ad Populum & Universal Distribution, but legal fees & bank fees have consumed most of the proceeds, leaving little to no recovery for creditors. Explore who, what, & how as well as the ramifications for the industry. What happens to publishers without the millions they are owed?
with Louis Desy Jr
Crassus & Invasion of Parthia 55-53 BCE
Friday at 5:00 PM
Event# 1547 in Room A #211 – War College for 60 minutes
The richest man in Rome, who shared power in the First Triumvirate with Pompey the Great and Julius Caesar, raised his own army, and invaded Parthia. Neither he nor most of his troops survived the experience.
with Jim Werbaneth
This is the latest article in our series of articles covering Origins 2026 and you can find a carousel linking all of them across the bottom
Eban Emael 1940
Thursday at 10:00 AM
Event# 1548 in Room A #211 – War College for 60 minutes
Prior to World War II, Belgium constructed a state of the art fortress at Eban Emael, on the borders with the Netherlands and Germany. The fort was supposed to protect the country for upwards of thirty days. It fell to a German glider attack in a battle decided in less than a day.
with Jim Werbaneth
History of Kriegsspiel
Friday at 4:00 PM
Event# 1549 in Room A #211 – War College for 60 minutes
A look back at the origins of the Kriegsspiel and its evolution through time
with Paul LaFontaine
Koniggratz/Sadowa 1866
Saturday at 10:00 AM
Event# 1550 in Room A #211 – War College for 60 minutes
Sometimes overshadowed by the Franco-Prussian War, Prussia’s victory in the Austro-Prussian War drove Hapsburg influenced out of Germany, and started the process toward German unification, accomplished under Prussia five years later. The Battle of Koniggratz, also called by its Czech name, Sadowa, was the decisive clash.
with Jim Werbaneth
Logistics in the Overland Campaign 1864
Friday at 1:00 PM
Event# 1551 in Room A #211 – War College for 120 minutes
In May 1863, Ulysses S. Grant commanded the armies of the Union, with his headquarters at the head of the Army of the Potomac. His Overland Campaign toward Richmond and Petersburg was singularly bloody, and one that would have failed under any other Northern commander. Why did he take the route he did, through the Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor?
with Jim Werbaneth
Overview of Modern Drone Warfare
Thursday at 11:00 AM
Event# 1552 in Room A #211 – War College for 60 minutes
a quick non-classified layman’s viewpoint presentation of what’s going on with drone warfare. Most of the focus will be on the war in Ukraine. Folks can ask questions as we go, and there will be time for Q&A at the end
with Tim Densham
Prof Wargaming Conferences vs Game Cons
Saturday at 11:00 AM
Event# 1553 in Room A #211 – War College for 60 minutes
Events in the wargaming world are very different when the target audience is professionals vs hobbyists. How & why do these events diverge
with Merle Robinson, Ian Brown
The Charles S Roberts Awards
Saturday at 7:00 PM
Event# 1554 in Room A #211 – War College for 180 minutes
Wargaming’s premier awards
with Gary Mengle, Ryan Heilman
The Emperor’s Voice – End of World War 2
Friday at 3:00 PM
Event# 1555 in Room A #211 – War College for 60 minutes
The power struggle in Japan between the military (who resisted surrender) and the civilian advisors to the emperor that wanted to make peace. Wes Crawford discusses the politics of the struggle and the in-progress game design about it.
with Wes Crawford
Wargame Designers Panel #1
Thursday at 12:00 PM
Event# 1556 in Room A #211 – War College for 120 minutes
A group of Wargame Designers hold court on their design philosophies and take questions from the audience
with Ian Brown, Dr Wictz, Jason Matthews
Wargame Designers Panel #2
Thursday at 2:00 PM
Event# 1557 in Room A #211 – War College for 120 minutes
A group of Wargame Designers hold court on their design philosophies and take questions from the audience
with David Thompson, Russ Brown, Larry Pinkerton, Tim Barrick
Wargame Designers Panel #3
Saturday at 4:00 PM
Event# 1558 in Room A #211 – War College for 120 minutes
A group of Wargame Designers hold court on their design philosophies and take questions from the audience
with Mark Greenwald, Dr Wictz, Mark Walker, Jim Werbaneth
Women in Wargaming
Friday at 6:00 PM
Event# 1559 in Room A #211 – War College for 120 minutes
Women in the wargaming industry offer their perspectives on operating in a male-dominated field
with Kai Jensen, Denver Walker
Canadian Coast Defense
Thursday at 11:00 AM
Event# 7409 in A #224 – Panels & Seminars for 120 minutes
The history of coast defenses in Canada from 1800 to their abolishment in 1956. This includes the weapons, technology, and organization.
with Gordon Bliss
Company Update: GMT Games
Thursday at 4:00 PM
Event# 1560 in Room A #211 – War College for 120 minutes
Development update and Q&A from GMT Games
with Jason Carr, Kai Jensen
Creation Of Gettysburg National Military Park
Saturday at 2:00 PM
Event# 6300 in Room A #221 – War College for 120 minutes
Review how and why this hallowed ground became a National Military Park. Sponsored by NSDMG
with David G Cox
Directed Energy Weapons
Friday at 3:00 PM
Event# 6293 in Room A #221 – War College for 60 minutes
An overview of directed energy weapons by a physicist who worked on railgun development.
with Mark McDonagh Capt USN (ret)
Europe Today and Tommorrow
Thursday at 10:00 AM
Event# 6289 in Room A #221 – War College for 120 minutes
Review of the current state of European affairs and possible futures.
with Merle Robinson & NSDMG Staff
Gettysburg -A Commander’s View Meade vs Lee
Saturday at 12:00 PM
Event# 6299 in Room A #221 – War College for 120 minutes
“The Generals Look Back” as told by the “reanimated” commanders General Robert E. Lee and General George Gordon Meade, uses original & modern photos, maps & commentary. Presented by Harold Paddock & Darrel Heckman . Sponsored by NSDMG
with Harold Paddock & Darrell Heckman
Global Hotspots
Saturday at 10:00 PM
Event# 6305 in Room A #221 – War College for 120 minutes
Our annual review of major world issues and hotspots with emphasis on those not covered in other presentations. We examine trends, possibilities & consequences about the subjects gleaned from the news.
with NSDMG Staff & Friends
Grant’s Presidency
Saturday at 5:00 PM
Event# 6302 in Room A #221 – War College for 60 minutes
Review how Grant stabilized the post-war national economy; supported congressional Reconstruction and the Fifteenth Amendment; prosecuted the Ku Klux Klan; signed a bill to create the United States Department of Justice; protected African Americans, created the first Civil Service Commission; presided over the “Long Depression” and led the compromise after the Election of 1876. Sponsored by NSDMG
with Frank Scaturro
Hackers at the movies
Friday at 2:00 PM
Event# 6290 in Room A #221 – War College for 60 minutes
Ever wonder if movies depicted the reality or just the myths? Come and find out with an IT professional. Presented by Izaac Bentz.
with Izaac Bentz
History of Board Wargaming Trends
Thursday at 1:00 PM
Event# 7408 in Room A #221 – War College for 120 minutes
A general discussion of trends in commercial hex-and-counter board wargames from the 1960s to the present including such topics as mechanics, scale, subject matter, and complexity.
with Gordon Bliss
How to Lose a Revolution
Friday at 7:00 PM
Event# 6292 in Room A #221 – War College for 60 minutes
Discussion of the critical days of the Russian Revolution focusing on those who lost in the fall of 1917. Presented by Zachary St Clair
with Zachary St Clair
Impact of the American Civil War on wargaming
Saturday at 4:00 PM
Event# 6301 in Room A #221 – War College for 60 minutes
Wargaming became known outside of Prussia after the American Civil War. For decades after the Civil War all advances in Wargaming came out of Prussia then Germany. So how could the American Civil War influence wargaming and even fantasy Role Playing games? Matt will describe the all but forgotten “connections” that influenced wargaming in the Post Civil War US and continue to influence military and civilian wargaming around the world today.
Matt Caffrey is the author of “On Wargaming”
with Matt Caffrey
Impact of the Declaration of Independence & events of 1776
Saturday at 4:00 PM
Event# 6307 in A #222 & A223 – NSDMG for 120 minutes
250th anniversary event – Learn about how a gaggle of 13 disparate colonies started a rebellion and created a Declaration of Independence that changed the way the entire world viewed government.
with NSDMG Staff & Friends
Piracy & Law of the Sea
Thursday at 4:00 PM
Event# 6287 in Room A #221 – War College for 60 minutes
An examination of maritime law, custom, and tradition. We will address privacy, grey-zone conflict at sea, and related topics.
with Mark McDonagh Capt USN (ret) & NSDMG Staff
Say you don’t see: Intelligence in the war of 1812
Thursday at 12:00 PM
Event# 6313 in A #222 & A223 – NSDMG for 120 minutes
Intelligence during the War of 1812 was crucial but often inadequate, leading to significant failures, such as the inability to detect British troop movements until they were close to Washington, D.C. The lack of effective intelligence contributed to several military setbacks for the United States during the conflict. Sponsored by NSDMG.
with Kathleen Caffrey
Sinking of the Huntley
Saturday at 6:00 PM
Event# 6317 in Room A #211 – War College for 60 minutes
The CSS H.L. Hunley sank three times during its service, with the most notable sinking occurring on February 17, 1864, after it successfully attacked and sank the USS Housatonic, taking all eight crew members with it. Explore its exploits and demise. Presented by Mark McDonagh Capt USN (ret) a submarine officer.
with Mark McDonagh Capt USN (ret)
Taffy-3 Last Stand of the TinCan Sailors
Saturday at 7:00 PM
Event# 6304 in Room A #221 – War College for 120 minutes
A detailed examination of the “In the most lopsided naval battle in history a flotilla of six escort carriers, three destroyers, and two tiny escort destroyers were surprised by virtually the entire Japanese navy, including the battleship Yamato, and six heavy cruisers. They did the only thing they could do. They attacked!” Presented by Kenneth Keisel. Sponsored by NSDMG
with Kenneth Keisel
The Future Face of War
Friday at 10:00 PM
Event# 6296 in Room A #221 – War College for 120 minutes
Review and discussion of how modern warfare is changing on land, air, sea, and in space with an emphasis on technologies and trends.
with Merle Robinson & NSDMG Staff
The I’s Have It: Jap Sub Development in the Interwar Years
Saturday at 12:00 PM
Event# 6308 in A #224 – Panels & Seminars for 90 minutes
The I-400-class submarine Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) submarines were the largest submarines of World War II, with the final completed submarine being finished roughly a month before the end of the war. The I-400s remained the largest submarines ever built until the construction of nuclear ballistic missile submarines in the 1960s Explore the story behind these marvels with a retired USN submarine officer. Presented by NSDMG’s Mark McDonagh.
with Mark McDonagh Capt USN (ret)
The LAST Financial Crisis to come
Thursday at 3:00 PM
Event# 6316 in Room A #221 – War College for 60 minutes
Examining how efforts to prevent any decline in worldwide financial markets create potentials for collapse of the worldwide financial systems. Review why ‘kicking the can” further into the future may fail and create a dramatic reevaluation.
with Louis Desy Jr
The Navy of the Confederate States of America
Friday at 4:00 PM
Event# 6291 in Room A #221 – War College for 90 minutes
A review of the organization and efforts of the Navy of the Confederate State of America by a local historian of the Columbus Barracks Civil War Roundtable – David G. Cox.
Sponsored by NSMDG
with David G. Cox
The Northwest Ordinance’s Influence on America and the World
Friday at 2:00 PM
Event# 6306 in A #222 & A223 – NSDMG for 120 minutes
Discover what the Northwest Ordinance or 1787 was, did, and how it still impacts us today. This should be of special interest to all Ohioans. This includes highlights and observations from NSDMG’s Attendee to OSU’s “New Perspectives on the Northwest Ordinance Conference” Sponsored by America 250 (https://america250.org/) and soon to to be seen on C-span. Presented by NSMDG;s Merle Robinson
with Merle Robinson
The Ross Rifle -Politics & Procurement
Friday at 7:00 PM
Event# 6294 in A #224 – Panels & Seminars for 60 minutes
Learn the story of high stakes of military procurement involving Canada’s adoption and replacement of the Ross Rifle. Presented By NSDMG’s Mike Tucker.
with Michael Tucker
The Singularity: the Future of Man & Machine
Saturday at 11:00 AM
Event# 6314 in A #222 & A223 – NSDMG for 60 minutes
Explore the potentials of man and machine ultimately merging & what of the future we can see from here.
with Izaac Bentz
War Gaming Basic Training
Saturday at 9:00 AM
Event# 6297 in Room A #221 – War College for 60 minutes
Orientation for attendees who may never have played a wargame. Will present basic concepts of gaming and wargames and some of the more basic terms and definitions. It is designed to give the attendee enough information to understand a game they are watching or assist them in selecting a games to purchase. It will be using examples and information from published games, but won’t endorse any particular game or publisher Presented by Phillip Textor.
Sponsored by NSDMG
with Phillip Textor
War in Space
Friday at 9:00 AM
Event# 6309 in Room A #221 – War College for 60 minutes
The militarization of space has already happened but fighting in space is a lot more complicated than it seems. Come and learn the challenges of military action in space. Presented by Izaac Bentz.
with Izaac Bentz & NSDMG staff
Wargaming our Friends, Competitors and Adversaries
Friday at 9:00 PM
Event# 6295 in Room A #221 – War College for 60 minutes
We live in an increasingly dangerous world. Knowing how other nations wargame can help us better understand and anticipate our adversaries and work together more effectively with our friends. We may even learn some things to help us improve our wargaming. Besides, it’s an interesting story. Presented By Matt Caffrey.
Sponsored by NSDMG
with Matthew Caffrey
Winning the Peace, how wargaming can help
Saturday at 10:00 AM
Event# 6298 in Room A #221 – War College for 120 minutes
We all know that playing wargames helps us improve our ability to win wargames. The world’s militaries know this also and are investing increasing amounts of time and money into developing better strategists and creating better strategies. The US seems more consistent at winning battles and wars then winning the peace. Matt will discuss how wargaming techniques can be adapted to help us win the peace also. He will conclude by explaining why demonstrating how you can help advance peace gaming.
Presented by Matt Caffrey Author of “On Wargaming”
Sponsored By NSDMG
with Matt Caffrey
WWII Victory in Defeat: Saving the French National Collection
Thursday at 1:00 PM
Event# 6311 in A #222 & A223 – NSDMG for 120 minutes
Victory in Defeat: Saving the French National Collection under Vichy. Review the organized evacuation of the precious French treasures (Including the Louvre’s art collection) to protect them from the Nazis during World War II, starting in August 1939.Sponsored by NSDMG.
with Kathleen Caffrey
All of the Origins 2026 Articles
Origins Details ~ Wargame HQ Events ~ War College Events ~ Wargaming at Origins ~ Exhibitor Spotlights ~ Origins History ~ Q&A ~ Final Countdown
Opening Day ~ The Game Hall ~ More Gameplay ~ Above the Convention ~ Minis Wargaming ~ Wargame HQ Partners ~ Wargame HQ Spotlights
Exhibit Hall ~ Cosplay ~ Everything Else ~ AAR ~ Forum Thread
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