Arnel David


Arnel Pañarez David is a colonel in the United States Army who serves as the director of, a specialized directorate focused on the digital transformation of Allied Command Operations. Prior to this role, he served 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, 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 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 and National Defense University 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:
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.
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Colonel Arnel David was featured on the cover of the NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Community Life Magazine, October issue

Other publications

  • David, Arnel P.; Koç, Dilan; and Gustave, Amanda, "," Wavell Room.
  • Van Wagenen, Matthew; David, Arnel P. and Jensen, Benjamin, "," Center for Strategic and International Studies Futures Lab.
  • Van Wagenen, Matthew; David, Arnel P., "NATO’s Northern Flank: Countering Russia & China Expansion in the Arctic," Real Clear Defense.
  • David, Arnel P.; Benjamin Jensen, "NATO and Prototyping Warfare," Center for Strategic & International Studies .
  • Van Wagenen, Matthew; David, Arnel P., "A Fiscal Crisis: The West is on the Wrong Side of the Cost Curve," Real Clear Defense.
  • Van Wagenen, Matthew; David, Arnel P., "New NATO Strategy will Usher in a Renaissance in Allied Operations," Real Clear Defense.
  • David, Arnel P., "A Quintessential Factor in Strategy Formulation: The Unequal Dialogue,"Military Strategy Magazine.
  • Van Wagenen, Matthew; David, Arnel P., "Lessons from Ukraine Many Don't Want to Hear," Real Clear Defense.
  • David, Arnel P.; Nick Moran, "Why Gamers Will Win the Next War," Modern War Institute.
  • David, Arnel P.; Acosta, Sean A.; Krohley, Nicholas, "," Modern War Institute.
  • Van Wagenen, Matthew; David, Arnel P., "Strategic Hub of Landpower Builds in the Black Sea Region," Real Clear Defense.
  • Van Wagenen, Matthew; David, Arnel P., "Project Convergence: An Arena of Innovative Collaboration," Real Clear Defense.

Podcasts

  • "Whipping Wargaming into NATO SHAPE with COL Arnel David," on '.
  • "Prototyping Warfare: The Art of Buying, Training and Fighting Faster," Arnel P. David is guest on the ' with Tom Constable and Colin Hillier.
  • "Building Better Warfighters," Arnel P. David is guest on the ' with Tom Constable and Colin Hillier.
  • "How AI and Gamification Are Changing Military Strategy," Arnel P. David and Nick Moran are guests on ' with Chris Marshall.
  • "The Convergence: UK Fight Club – Gaming the Future Army," Arnel P. David and Aaron Moore are guests on .
  • "People, Connectivity and Cyberspace with Guest: Lt Col Arnel David," To the Point Cybersecurity.
  • "Arnel David on Strategy in the 21st Century," .

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.