| From: | shadowrn@*********.com (shadowrn@*********.com) |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Willpower, Initiative, and the Military was Re: [Alternate |
| Date: | Thu May 17 19:05:01 2001 |
>At 03:24 PM 05/16/2001 , Paul wrote:
>>But you still need to have that individuality and initiative and
>>independence when you're putting out four-man recce patrols before and
>>after that battle.
>
>Who needs it? The patrols? They get orders and perform them in a manner
>mirroring training that they received because that is the way they were
>told to do things and they accept the will of others as their own. The
>person who gives them orders? S.O.P. for the situation. You do what you
>always do which is what the book says to do and what comes out of the
>mouths of those who you are told to obey.
>
Actually, yes, the patrols need it. Obviously you have either never been
on such a patrol (I have, both as a team member and a team leader). The
men on the patrols cannot be expected to have devised reactions for every
single possible circumstance, and thus are encouraged to come up with
solutions to problems on their own initiative.
>
>Once again, I covered this in my last post. Blatant idiocy is to be
>discouraged, but orders are to be fulfilled if they don't conflict with a
>rather small subset of rules.
>
Orders nowadays, at least in the USMC are given as 'Commander's Intent'
This is a general set of guidelines as to the final wished for result. How
one arrives at that final result is left up to subordinate commanders, all
the way down to the team level, and the individual level. Initiative is
encouraged, highly encouraged.
In fact, there are fourteen listed qualites of leadership in USMC doctrine.
Initiative is one of those qualities, and is rated very highly in reviews
and gradings. When someone screws up and makes an error in solving a
problem (or percieved problem), we have a saying that goes like this "Good
initiative, poor judgement' with the emphasis on the good initiative part
to enourage it in the future.
>
>>Let us just say that you and I have quite obviously worked in very
>>different industries and served in very different militaries.
>
>Doubtful... more likely, you bought the lie. But that's just my opinion.
>
I guess I'm gullible and bought the lie, also. I suppose that means I have
low willpower. I doubt you would be able to see the effects of this low
willpower in my daily life, but you seem to know me and Paul here better
than we know ourselves.
You, sir, have a *VERY* distorted view of the military; perhaps you have
had a poor experience, or unsuccessful career in such. Please don't assume
the entirety is what you have seen, because it quite truly is different
than you think.
Dave
