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Name:
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Yankee06
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Subject:
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Huh?
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Date:
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10/8/2009 5:35:40 PM
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-Well, it seems like a lot of people on this forum have spent alot of time in the military. With my 28 years in uniform, I guess I can join the club and add my 2 cents.
-Hound has it right in theory: A lot of people get a say in the development of a decision, but once it's made then everyone helps execute it. That's what they teach in the service schools. I found out that this "participate-execute" system works out pretty well in most circumstances. I also found that when there is a problem, it's usually because not enough people were involved in the development of the decision. When a commander makes a decision without the input of his staff and subordinates, he/she takes a big chance. Of course sometimes, it has to be done that way.
-Now for some applications of teh school solution:
---the lower down the chain you are, the less ability you have to "openly" challenge the decision. To "openly" defy your superior officer is done at great peril. But ask any sargeant, if he/she doesn't want to execute, they find a way.
---The Pentagon: in the pentagon, usually the school model works well, because usually there is enough time to coordinate with all the people involved. And if you don't coordinate, you learn fast that your project is going nowhere. On most issues majors and LtCol's run the Pentagon; they write the issue papers; they form the generals' (1 and 2 stars) views. They execute the project. Now, The 3- and 4-star generals work in the world of resources and politics---it's really tough in those decision meetings.
-At military posts and in training: at military training posts throughout the country, the school solution again works well. Usually because everyone knows the training scenarios and what's expected before they go to the field. You disobey orders at great peril on a training post, ---except for training safety issues..
-In war zones: the school decision process usually works, BUT NOT ALWAYS. Sometimes it doesn't work because there just is not enough time to run things up and down command chains for input. BUT also, because in war planning, bad decisions lead to dead soldiers. As a result, junioir officers sometimes have to disobey an order, or "reinterpret" the order. In doesn't happen alot, but in three combat tours, I've seen it happen about 6 times.
-So for the military decision process, like all complex human processes, there is seldom one right answer.
---Now, for Obama. He's not the first President without military experience to have to make military decisions. But, it's his job. So he better listen to his military leaders for their take on the issue. But their input is just one part of his decision process. His decision is a political-economic-cultural-militery decision. But one thing is certain in my value system, no president should delay the decision for purely political reasons. If he just can't decide yet, that's one thing. BUt if he is stalling his decision for political reasons, then he sholdn't be commander and chief. Cuz such stalling will lead to the unnecessary deaths of his, and our, soldiers.
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