SERVICES
Workshops & Engagements for Development
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Decision-making, Communication, and Effective Action
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Critical Thinking
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Adult Learning Theory
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Facilitating for Higher-Order Learning
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Curriculum Design & Development
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Evaluation and Rubric Development
SERVICES
Commercial Off‑the‑Shelf & Custom Professional Development
DAO Consulting delivers high‑impact professional military education and leadership development through two distinct formats:
1. Commercial Off‑the‑Shelf (COTS) Workshops
These are standardized, repeatable workshops available to government and non‑government clients alike. They are built on proven frameworks, delivered regularly across the Marine Corps and other organizations, and priced transparently.
2. Custom‑Tailored Workshops
For clients seeking a deeper partnership, DAO Consulting also designs custom engagements built from—or inspired by—our off‑the‑shelf offerings. These programs are co‑designed with the client to address specific organizational challenges.
Note for contracting officers:
DAO Consulting’s COTS workshops are commercially available, standardized offerings. Customization does not alter the underlying commercial nature of the product.
HOW OUR WORKSHOPS WORK
DAO Consulting workshops are learner‑centered, immersive, and decision‑driven.
Rather than lectures or slide‑heavy instruction, participants drive the learning through:
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Decision games
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Structured discussion
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Small‑group problem solving
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Facilitated reflection
Our workshops are intentionally designed to promote far transfer of learning—so participants can immediately apply what they’ve learned on the job, in garrison, and in operational settings.
Engagements range from one day to two weeks (ten business days) and are available in in‑person or virtual formats.
To support these offerings, DAO Consulting leverages a network of experienced facilitators, senior leaders, curriculum designers, and adult learning experts—ensuring consistent quality and delivery across engagements.
STANDARD COMMERCIAL PRICING
(Commercial Off‑the‑Shelf Workshops)
The following rates apply to DAO Consulting’s standardized, off‑the‑shelf workshops. These prices are publicly available and offered consistently across government and non‑government clients.
Discounted rates are available for PME institutions, multi‑day engagements, and long‑standing partners.
East Coast Rates
Standard Rates:
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1-day workshop: $3,700.00
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2-day workshop: $7,591.79
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3-day workshop: $11,387.69
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4-day workshop: $13,051.69
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5-day workshop: $14,197.69
Discounted Rates (for repeat clients, PME institutions, pilot programs, etc.):
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1-day workshop: $1,750.00
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2-day workshop: $3,795.89
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3-day workshop: $5,693.84
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4-day workshop: $6,525.84
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5-day workshop: $7,098.84
West Coast Rates
Standard Rates:
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1-day workshop: $4,500.00
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2-day workshop: $9,000.00
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3-day workshop: $13,500.00
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4-day workshop: $14,500.00
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5-day workshop: $16,000.00
Discounted Rates (for repeat clients, PME institutions, pilot programs, etc.):
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1-day workshop: $2,250.00
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2-day workshop: $4,500.00
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3-day workshop: $6,750.00
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4-day workshop: $7,250.00
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5-day workshop: $8,000.00
Educational & Mission‑Aligned Pricing
DAO Consulting offers reduced rates for:
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Professional Military Education (PME) institutions
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Faculty development and pilot programs
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Repeat or long‑standing partners
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Budget‑constrained organizations
These rates reflect reduced preparation requirements, mission alignment, and educational use and are available to qualifying organizations upon request.
SAMPLE OFF‑THE‑SHELF WORKSHOPS
Decision‑Making, Communication & Effective Action
Decision‑Forcing Case (DFC) Workshop
Participants step into the role of historical decision‑makers and attempt to solve complex problems using only the information available at the time. Based on the Harvard Business School case method, DFCs sharpen judgment, communication, and critical thinking under pressure.
Decision‑Forcing Staff Ride
A field‑based extension of the DFC, conducted on the terrain where historical events occurred. Participants explore how time, space, terrain, and uncertainty shape real‑world decisions.
Tactical Decision Games (TDGs)
Short, scenario‑based decision problems used extensively by the Marine Corps, Army, law enforcement, and emergency services to develop rapid decision‑making and communication skills.
Ethical Decision Games (EDGs)
Focused dilemmas that challenge participants to articulate, defend, and examine ethical reasoning in complex environments.
Educational Wargaming
Facilitated simulations where teams compete, adapt, and observe the consequences of decisions in real time. Ideal for decision‑making, planning, and team development.
Mixed Decision Game Workshop
A curated combination of DFCs, TDGs, EDGs, and wargames for organizations seeking broad exposure to decision‑making tools.
Critical Thinking
Introduction to Critical Thinking
Introduces core tools and habits of mind—logic, evidence evaluation, bias recognition, and structured reasoning.
Advanced Critical Thinking
Explores deeper concepts including cognitive bias, perspective‑taking, and double‑ and triple‑loop learning.
Adult Learning & Facilitation
Adult Learning Theory & Science
Explores how adults learn, retain, and apply knowledge—and how instructors can design learning experiences that actually stick.
Higher‑Order Learning Facilitation (Basic & Advanced)
Develops facilitation skills that move beyond lecture toward problem‑solving, creativity, and reflection.
Evaluation & Rubric Development
Designing evaluations that measure real learning—and rubrics that make standards explicit.
Class & Course Design
Learner‑centered curriculum design grounded in adult learning science and far‑transfer principles.
CUSTOM‑TAILORED WORKSHOPS
For organizations with unique challenges, DAO Consulting offers custom engagements built from our core offerings or designed collaboratively from the ground up.
Custom programs may include:
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Multi‑cohort delivery
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Blended decision games
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Leadership off‑sites
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Faculty development programs
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Extended PME or capstone events
Custom engagements are priced based on scope, duration, and deliverables.
Consulting
We have consulted with many organizations, including the Marine Corps’ Training and Education Command, The Basic School, the Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group, the School of Infantry-East, and the Latvian Training and Doctrine Command, to name a few. Our consulting approach reflects our unique experiences as educators, leaders, and problem-solvers. We help clients think strategically; better understand their organizations and people; and apply critical and creative thinking to a wide range of problems, challenges, and opportunities.
Research & Writing
Damien has conducted extensive historical research at The National Archives (United Kingdom), the National Library of Scotland, the US National Archives, the US National Archives II (College Park, MD), the US Library of Congress, the US Marine Corps Archives and History Division, the US Army Center of Military History, the US Army Military History Institute, and the Tucson Branch of the Arizona Historical Society. He has also spent a great deal of time working with and preserving the personal papers of several members of the US Military Reform Movement. His past clients include the US Marine Corps’ Basic School and Expeditionary Warfare School, the US Army's Military History Institute, and private individuals. He keeps a large network of world-renowned researchers, academics, theorists, and practitioners whom he can leverage in support of research projects, particularly those concerning national defense, military history, learning, teaching, critical thinking, and curriculum design and development.
With respect to writing, he has published with Proceedings, War Room, Marine Corps Gazette, The Landing, The Maneuverist, the Journal on Baltic Security, and the blog of the Center for Revolutionary Scientific Thought. To view some of his published work, please click here.