# Arnel David

Arnel Pañarez David is a colonel in the United States Army who serves as the director of the Strategic Initiatives Group in the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). He is an army strategist, with multiple tours of duty in conventional and special operations units where he deployed to the Middle East, Central Asia, and Pacific. He is the son of Eduardo M. David and Evangeline Pañarez David.
David is the founder of Fight Club International, a professional gaming network committed to improving warfighting excellence through the power of gaming, simulations and artificial intelligence.

## Education

Arnel David is a military graduate and commissioned officer from Valley Forge Military Academy & College. He has a B.A. in international relations from the University of North Florida and an M.A. in international studies from the University of Oklahoma. He completed a master of arts & science from the Command and General Staff College's Local Dynamics of War Scholar Program. He completed an artificial intelligence programme from the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford and is a PhD candidate at King's College London. He is a distinguished graduate of the Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS) and National Defense University (NDU) scholar, awarded a military master of art and science in joint campaign planning and strategy.

## Publications

David has authored two books on the topic of military strategy:
* Cleveland, Charles; Jensen, Benjamin M.; Bryant, Susan; David, Arnel (2018). Military strategy for the 21st century: people, connectivity, and competition. Amherst, New York: Cambria Press. ISBN 9781604979503.
* David, Arnel (2023). Krohley, Sean; Krohley, Nicholas (eds.). Warrior Diplomats: Civil Affairs Forces on the Front Lines. Cambria Press. ISBN 9781621966746.
David's second book Warrior Diplomats: Civil Affairs Forces on the Front Lines was reviewed in the Strategic Focused Journal of the United States Air Force.

### Other Publications

* Van Wagenen, Matthew; David, Arnel P., "NATO’s Northern Flank: Countering Russia & China Expansion in the Arctic," Real Clear Defense (October 10, 2024).
* David, Arnel P.; Benjamin Jensen, "NATO and Prototyping Warfare," Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) (July 8, 2024).
* Van Wagenen, Matthew; David, Arnel P., "A Fiscal Crisis: The West is on the Wrong Side of the Cost Curve," Real Clear Defense (June 13, 2024).
* Van Wagenen, Matthew; David, Arnel P., "New NATO Strategy will Usher in a Renaissance in Allied Operations," Real Clear Defense (June 17, 2023).
* David, Arnel P., "A Quintessential Factor in Strategy Formulation: The Unequal Dialogue,"Military Strategy Magazine (Volume 8, Issue 4, spring 2023, pages 11-15).
* Van Wagenen, Matthew; David, Arnel P., "Lessons from Ukraine Many Don't Want to Hear," Real Clear Defense (March 11, 2023).
* David, Arnel P.; Nick Moran, "Why Gamers Will Win the Next War," Modern War Institute (June 30, 2022).
* Van Wagenen, Matthew; David, Arnel P., "Strategic Hub of Landpower Builds in the Black Sea Region," Real Clear Defense (October 2020).
* Van Wagenen, Matthew; David, Arnel P., "Project Convergence: An Arena of Innovative Collaboration," Real Clear Defense (October 2020).

### Podcasts

* "Whipping Wargaming into NATO SHAPE with COL Arnel David," on The Convergence: Army Mad Scientist Podcast (October 17, 2024).
* "Prototyping Warfare: The Art of Buying, Training and Fighting Faster," Arnel P. David is guest on the Warfighter Podcast with Tom Constable and Colin Hillier (May 24, 2024).
* "Building Better Warfighters," Arnel P. David is guest on the Warfighter Podcast with Tom Constable and Colin Hillier (November 1, 2022).
* "How AI and Gamification Are Changing Military Strategy," Arnel P. David and Nick Moran are guests on Transitional Matters with Chris Marshall (December 20, 2022).
* "The Convergence: UK Fight Club – Gaming the Future Army," Arnel P. David and Aaron Moore are guests on Army Mad Scientist Podcast (July 23, 2020).
* "People, Connectivity and Cyberspace with Guest: Lt Col Arnel David," To the Point Cybersecurity (2019).
* "Arnel David on Strategy in the 21st Century," OneCA Podcast (January 1, 2019).

## Awards and decorations

Arnel David received the state of Florida "Citizen Life Saving" Award on March 28, 2016.
In 2022, Arnel David received a commendation from General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours List.
U.S. Military Decorations :
| | Legion of Merit |
| | Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster |
| | Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
| | Joint Service Commendation Medal |
| | Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters |
| | Joint Service Achievement Medal |
| | Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters |
| U.S. Unit Awards ||
| | Joint Meritorious Unit Award |
| | Valorous Unit Award |
| | Meritorious Unit Commendation with one oak leaf cluster |
| U.S. Service (Campaign) Medals and Service Ribbons ||
| | National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star |
| | Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze star |
| | Iraq Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars |
| | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
| | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
| | Army Service Ribbon |
| | Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 4 |
| | NATO Medal for service with ISAF |
Badges :
* Combat Action Badge
* Parachutist Badge
* Air Assault Badge
* Pathfinder Badge
* Civil Affairs Regiment
* 502nd Infantry Regiment
* Army Staff Identification Badge
* United States Army Special Operations Command Combat Service Identification Badge
* United States Army 101st Airborne Division Combat Service Identification Badge
* 9 Overseas Service Bars