Purple Compass was invited to be one of several design facilitators to support this nine-day learning exercise. Exercise Shifting Sands focuses on real-world contemporary, complex challenges relevant to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The aim of the exercise was to apply design thinking and other innovation methodologies in a military context to enhance agility. Students used design methods to understand the issues, changing external environment, challenges, emerging issues, potential opportunities, and solutions. The exercise explored the challenge statement: NATO & Post-Soviet Europe towards horizon 2030.