Tactics
Science or Art?
OBE
IntelRep
9
Direct Support
2/3 Rule
Constraints
MOOSEMUSS
Economy of Force
Abilene Paradox
Crisis Decisionmaking Orientation
Deconfliction
ROE
Situation Awareness
Deliberate Plan Assumptions
Management By Exception
Initiative
SALUTE
Tactics
Trip Wires
Objective
Density
Key
Terrain
Asymmetric Strategy
Main Effort Groupthink
Planning Guidance
Precedent Decisionmaking
Intelligence Paradox
Crisis
2
SOP
KOCOA Course of Action Tightly Coupled C SWOT Physiological Diversion
Enfilade Warning Order Mass
EMON
C4
Competing Interests Offense
Intelligence Estimate C3
Friction
Alert Order Specified Tasks Satisficing Strategy
Mobility Nine Principles of War
Center of Gravity Boyd’s Cycle
Risk
Deceptive Diversion Tempo Commander’s Intent
Concept of Operation
Hasty Plan
Silence is Consent
Incremental Decisionmaking
General Support
Decision Points
Focus of Effort
Terrain Analysis IntelSum
Defilade
Critical Vulnerability
OODA Loop
Event Horizon
Essential Elements of Information
Heuristics
Mission Tasking Other Intelligence Requirements
Avenues
of
Approach
4
CI
Maneuver
Devil’s Advocate
Implied Tasks Execute Order
Info Fusion
Critical Capabilities Fog SMEAC Pincer
Loosely Coupled
Frag Order
Restraints
Command & Control
End State Expressed Consent
Commanding Terrain
Management by Default Conflict
Envelopment IPB
Combined Arms
Tactical Dilemma
Contingency Plan
Flexibility
Implied Objective
Hammer and Anvil
Critical Requirements
“Neglected Sciences”
8
The most formidable warriors are students of their profession!
29th
General Al Gray
Commandant of the Marine Corps
2X =4
X =?
Untutored courage is useless in the face of educated bullets
Lt. General George S. Patton
United States Army
7
Shaman, Wizards Myths & Magic
• We justify our tactics with smoke, mirrors, myths and
magic
♦ The average law enforcement tactician would be
hard put to quote a single source, theory or
doctrine to justify their decisions
• In the medical field, most law enforcement tacticians
would be the functional equivalent of witch doctors
• There is tactical science that will support sound
planning and decision making
6
What if the Next Time. . .
6
Tactical Science
• Accountants study math, doctors and nurses
study medicine, weather forecasters study
meteorology
• Tactical science dates back to at least
500 B.C.
• Besides books, many military manuals and
“lessons learned” are free on the Internet
Consequences of Ignorance
4
• Forces a command staff to:
♦
Implicitly trust subordinates
(who may not be any more enlightened!)
♦
Make decisions without being aware of supporting doctrine
(indigestion or stomach cancer?)
• Civil liability coupled with an inadequate defense
(when no one is an expert, anyone can be!)
• Potential tactical fiascoes in Biblical proportions!
(Ruby Ridge, Waco, M.O.V.E, and others less well-known)
3
There is Nothing More Practical
Than a Good Theory
Knowledge allows us to start, not at the beginning, but where the
experts left off!
~Carl Lewin
Problem
Training
Experience
Education
The “wisdom of the ages” is expressed as
doctrine, concepts, theories, precepts, tenets,
adages, dictums, heuristics, axioms, principles,
laws, and proverbs
Solution
2
This is a Science Course!
Training
Education
Provides skills
Provides knowledge
Instills confidence
Explains importance
Improves methods
Improves understanding
Fosters expertise & proficiency Fosters ingenuity & adaptability
Teaches how to do things
better
Teaches whether we’re doing
the right things
A Whitman’s Sampler of Tactical Science
1
Questions?