Tactics Science or Art?

1. Tactics Science or Art?

2. Working alone late one night a young woman is surprised by a burglar who begins beating her. As the fight becomes more vicious she is suddenly able to break free and run outside where she see’s a ladder leading to the flat roof of the building. Recognizing it as her best means of escape, she quickly climbs it just as the assailant reaches the bottom. At the top she notices a large tool box left by a workman and that there is no other safe way off the roof. What Should She Do? 12

3. Tactical operations are an “imperative” (participation is not an option) Some terrain provides advantages (roof provided defensive advantage) Timing is critical (fast is not as critical as faster) Innovation and ingenuity can be the key advantage Weapons are not always conventional Attacks do not always require weapons The weaker adversary always seeks refuge Success and survival are sometimes synonymous It ain’t rocket science (most times the concepts are so clear as to be intuitive) Did she make any mistakes? If she had been in a similar situation in the past, would she have done anything differently? What Should She Do? 11 • DO THESE PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTS MANIFEST THEMSELVES IN OTHER TACTICAL SITUATIONS?

4. Metaphor for tactical operations Looked like a pussy cat, smelled like a pussy cat, felt like a pussy cat, so what happened? Well-meaning citizen Wrong tools, no knowledge, just wanted to help! Thinking tactically, not strategically Only one blunder—one wrong step, but fate was sealed thereafter What lessons might be extrapolated? “Pinky the Wonder Cat” 10

5. OBE IntelRep “Neglected Sciences” 9 Direct Support 2/3 Rule Constraints MOOSEMUSS Economy of Force Abilene Paradox Crisis Decisionmaking Deconfliction Orientation 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 SOP C2 Physiological Diversion Course of Action KOCOA Tightly Coupled SWOT Warning Order Enfilade Mass EMON Offense C4 Competing Interests Intelligence Estimate C3 Specified Tasks Friction Alert Order 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 IntelSum Terrain Analysis Defilade Critical Vulnerability OODA Loop Event Horizon Essential Elements of Information Heuristics Mission Tasking Avenues of Approach Other Intelligence Requirements C4I Maneuver Devil’s Advocate Implied Tasks Execute Order Info Fusion SMEAC Critical Capabilities Fog Loosely Coupled Pincer Frag Order Restraints Command & Control Expressed Consent End State Commanding Terrain Management by Default Conflict Envelopment IPB Combined Arms Tactical Dilemma Contingency Plan Flexibility Implied Objective Hammer and Anvil Critical Requirements

6. The most formidable warriors are students of their profession!General Al Gray 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps 8 2 X= 4 X = ? Untutored courage is useless in the face of educated bullets Lt. General George S. Patton United States Army

7. We justify our tactics with smoke,mirrors, myths and magic The average law enforcementtactician would be hard put toquote a single source, theory ordoctrine to justify their decisions In the medical field, most lawenforcement tacticians would bethe functional equivalent ofwitch doctors There is tactical science that will support sound planning and decision making Shaman, Wizards Myths & Magic 7

8. What if the Next Time. . . 6

9. Accountants study math, doctors and nurses study medicine, weather forecasters study meteorology Tactical science dates back to at least 500 B.C. Besides books, manymilitary manuals and“lessons learned”are free on the Internet Tactical Science 6

10. 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) Consequences of Ignorance 4

11. There is Nothing More Practical Than a Good Theory 3 Knowledge allows us to start, not at the beginning, but where the experts left off! ~Carl Lewin Problem Solution Training Experience Education The “wisdom of the ages” is expressed as doctrine, concepts, theories, precepts, tenets, adages, dictums, heuristics, axioms, principles, laws, and proverbs

12. Training Provides skills Instills confidence Improves methods Fosters expertise&proficiency Teaches how to do thingsbetter This is a Science Course! 2 Education Provides knowledge Explains importance Improves understanding Fosters ingenuity & adaptability Teaches whether we’re doing the right things

13. A Whitman’s Sampler of Tactical Science 1

14. Questions?