Introduction
Most of the actions and decisions in the military sphere are strictly regulated. However, the complexities of real-life missions may uncover situations when superiors cannot rely on their subordinates to follow orders exclusively. Similarly, lower-ranking members of the armed forces may discover circumstances that require immediate action without a specific order from superiors. For the purpose of managing such situations, disciplined initiative is cultivated. Understanding what constitutes the essence of disciplined initiative, as well as its significance of mission command, is essential in ascertaining the most effective ways to incorporate it into training.
Disciplined Initiative
Disciplined initiative refers to the ability to make decisions and act on them in situations where specific instructions no longer apply. This term consists of two essential components – discipline and initiative, both of which are integral to military success. Discipline is achieved when soldiers and subordinate personnel follow a strict code of conduct regardless of the situation they find themselves in. The initiative is the result of a personal willingness to find a solution to a current problem. Combined together, disciplined initiative presupposes circumstances in which military personnel are at a disadvantage but continue to find ways of succeeding in task execution nonetheless.
The disciplined initiative is important in Mission Command because it allows the fighting force to overcome inevitable battle chaos and achieve military objectives. As Townsend et al. (2019) write: “fog, friction, and the chance of war force plan to change” (p. 7). This implies that at any point during the mission, a new circumstance may arise that might render previous orders and instructions outdated and inadequate. Furthermore, small pitfalls, such as communication errors and delays in order delivery, may create additional obstacles without any intervention from opposing foes. In both cases, soldiers on the frontline are left alone with their own understanding of the situation they are in. Therefore, it becomes vitally important for privates and sergeants to be able to make decisions in spite of the changing circumstances. Without instilled disciplined initiative, units are likely to jeopardize the efficiency of mission command.
There are two main ways I can incorporate disciplined initiative in training. First, I can participate in tactical decision games, the goal of which is to ascertain the most appropriate course of action in the given circumstances. These games are effective because they allow participants to analyze their behavior and the efficiency of their decisions since such games allow viewing all alternative outcomes. The second way of disciplined training initiative is approaching an officer and asking them to present a potential situation where orders contradict the present circumstances. In order to create a sense of urgency, the time of response should be limited. This way is helpful because it allows receiving feedback from a higher-ranking person who can evaluate the soundness of my decisions.
Conclusion
Altogether, it should be evident that disciplined training initiative is essential in ensuring the success of mission command. No number of orders or instructions can provide for the multitude of potential outcomes of military operations. The superiors have to rely on the disciplined initiative of their subordinates to make proper decisions and act on them. As the initiative is a skill, it can be trained in two ways: tactical decision games and officer feedback on certain challenges. Both methodologies provide the opportunity to make decisions in a rapidly changing situation while upholding the general code of conduct.
Reference
Townsend, G. S., Brito, M. G. G., Crissman, M. G. D., & McCoy, M. K. (2019). Reinvigorating the army’s approach to command and control. Military Review, 2, 1-9. Web.