Exercise Capstone

Assessing core individual competencies in the intelligence domain to regional and international standards.

The exercise war-games scenarios and tests intelligence readiness and preparedness at the individual level as prescribed by international and regional competency frameworks. As a full command post exercise (CPX), the exercise is oriented towards qualified intelligence professionals or those shortly to qualify and undertaking the culminating exercise (CULEX) as a competency assessment for professional membership.

The exercise is only open to aspiring registrants currently enrolled in the GSC, EUIOC, EUIAC or EUIMC programmes. It places particular emphasis on compliance with professional standards, ethics and law.

Target Audience

The exercise should not be attempted without having completed core regional and international intelligence training in the fields of intelligence operations, analysis and management.

Exercise Format

In a one week intensive exercise, Ex. CAPSTONE is designed to assess regional skills and knowledge in intelligence throughout European states. Throughout the individual competency assessment a variety of assessment methods have been used including:

1. Practical: Participants are exposed to a live situation in the real world and are required to solve problems and take actions in response to ongoing events.
2. Simulation: Participants are required to answer questions, resolve problems and perform tasks based on changing circumstances provided within a realistic simulated environment.
3. Observation & Sampling: Participants are observed taking on a particular role within an intelligence cell with their output deliverables scrutinised.

Exercise Overview

"The UK is struggling to re-assert itself on the international stage, old hostilities are simmering away in the Balkans, relics of the cold war are heating up in Ukraine and the red bear is as sharp-toothed as it has always been. The internet has become a new information battlespace for the oldest of enemies, Islamic fundamentalism is having consequences for the west beyond the immediate association with terrorism and unrest in the Middle-East shakes the pillars of the union in Europe."

- Exercise scenario, Ex. CAPSTONE Player Handbook

Ex. CAPSTONE is a live exercise requiring participants to react to real-world events as they occur. As a result, prior attendance or knowledge of the exercise will not aid participants. Throughout the week, participants will be will be expected to demonstrate the appropriate knowledge, skills and behaviours required of professional registrants.

After an online briefing and pre-read, the exercise begins with a short introduction, security and background briefing from the instructors, after which participants will be divided up into intelligence cells to assign roles amongst themselves. Participants will then begin working independently and together within their intelligence cells to meet intelligence requirements.

Overcoming ethical, legal, administrative and operational challenges, participants are expected to provide daily updates to their command team and other government stakeholders on their progress. As the participants monitor, reflect and evaluate information, instructors look for an awareness of legal regulations, compliance with ethical guidelines governing intelligence and the strength of character to adhere to them under duress. Honest interpretation, accurate reporting, adherence to policy, procedure and best practice will also be assessed rigorously.

Working long hours and under pressure from tight deadlines and stressful conditions in a high-pressure environment, participants will be expected to formulate and carry out operational plans and use analytic and covert tradecraft in the production of intelligence in addition to the daily administration of an intelligence cell.

Towards the end of the exercise of the exercise, participants must present an intelligence package based on a sound assessment of reliable intelligence and brief a strategic commander in the presence of experts.

Dates & Times

The exercise begins on the first Monday of July each year and runs for 5 consecutive days. Applications may take up to 4 weeks to process and candidates must have completed pre-requisite e-learning prior to entry which may take up to 6 months depending on their access route.

Standards

Exercises are fully accredited for compliance with international standards. For further details on Institute requirements, international standards and accreditation, view the Accreditation page.

Fees & Discounts

Not including accommodation, the exercise is delivered at a cost of €500. Payment is accepted by bank transfer, card or PayPal. The following pricing options are available:

	Distance-Learning Rate: A hybrid version of Ex. CAPSTONE is available at no additional cost for GSC, EUIOC, EUIAC and EUIMC candidates electing to complete the residential element of their course online instead of attending on-site.
	Group Rate: If you are booking on behalf of a group, further incentives may apply. Please contact the head of the training and directing staff for further details.
	Induction Fees: Candidates must enter via an approved course. Fees for the GSC, EUIOC, EUIMC and EUIAC are advertised elsewhere on this site and must be met in full before entry onto any version of the exercise.

After the exercise has been evaluated for competency, those passing the exercise and meeting other requirements for registration are celebrated at an annual awards ceremony. Ceremonies are black-tie events held in venues of historical importance to mark the admission of graduates into the Institute and to celebrate outstanding achievements of previous graduates.

Location

Vienna.