NPS NRP Project PosterIntermediate force capabilities represent a strategic risk mitigation investment that are designed to provide warfighters tools to compete below the level of major armed conflict without losing credibility in the information. This research examines the effects of a set of intermediate force capabilities to assess the strategic impact on a near peer adversary during the competition phase in a 'gray zone' scenario. The effort will seek to gain insights and identify challenges to the employment of IFCs, through several venues, including leveraging defense analysis and operations research department faculty and students and utilizing the NPS warfighting continuum of Joint Campaign Analysis and Wargaming Applications courses.HQMC Plans, Policies & Operations (PP&O)This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.