Phillip (Phil) Pournelle

Phillip Pournelle is the SPA Fellow for Mission and Operations Research Analysis, Digital Wargaming, where he leads the design and execution of advanced wargaming and analytical approaches that support decision-making across joint and naval operations. With extensive experience in campaign analysis, modeling and simulation, and operational planning, Mr. Pournelle translates complex mission challenges into structured analytical insights that inform strategy and force development.

At SPA, Mr. Pournelle designs and conducts wargames that explore the future of joint and naval warfare, integrating modeling and simulation with operational analysis to support senior decision-makers. He works closely with analysts and mission experts to develop data-driven insights and advance wargaming as a core capability within mission engineering and strategic analysis efforts.

Prior to joining SPA, Mr. Pournelle spent three years at the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE), where he focused on mobility and naval warfare analysis. He also served for five years advising the Director of the Office of Net Assessment, designing and executing wargames that supported analysis of future operational concepts and force development.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Pournelle served 26 years in the U.S. Navy as a surface warfare officer, contingency planner, and operations analyst. His assignments included roles as an electronics material officer, electronic warfare officer, Aegis fire control officer, tactical action officer, and operations officer aboard cruisers, destroyers, and amphibious ships. He also served as executive officer aboard an experimental high-speed vessel and as Future Plans Officer (Contingencies) at Expeditionary Strike Group Five (ESG-5) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

Mr. Pournelle holds a master’s degree in operations analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.