Command philosophy

We live on the lead edge of an era of fast moving globalized change, both technological and political.  As Americans and Army Soldiers we are directly effected by this.  The technological revolution enables both us and our adversaries while the political revolutions shape our operating environments.  The road ahead offers both opportunity and risk, as threats mask themselves in change.  Because the threats are real and potent, we must be ready to execute our mission in a full spectrum environment.  To achieve this we must develop a Full Spectrum mindset.  What does this mean?  Leaders must be ready to execute the core mission while simultaneously protecting the force, and positively engaging the local human landscape.  To achieve this dynamic challenge we will empower leaders at every level of organization and focus on the basics.  To do this successfully we need engaged leaders who exercise common sense. 

Execute the Mission
We will focus on our core mission - on the basics.  I will utilize standard Army systems to do this.  The key to successful operations is understanding the commanders intent.  The commander's intent is not static, it will change as we move forward.  I will express my commander's intent in terms of:

Purpose - not just the "why" in the mission statement
Key Tasks - if not accomplished bring mission failure
End State - define the end game. 

We will use the push pull method to ensure all leaders successfully negotiate this dynamic road.  Above all, the commander's intent provides the left and right limits to which subordinate leaders can make autonomous decisions.  This space belongs to my subordinate leaders.  It is where he/she plans the "how" of the mission statement.  There is no room for micro-managing here.  We will utilize the full range of army tools to include a few new technological instruments to ensure we are moving down the right path.  For example:

• Quarterly Training Guidance - what I owe you quarterly that tells you where to focus
• Quarterly Training Brief - Commanders quantify and qualify training
• Weekly Battalion Maintenance Meeting - How I track our equipment readiness
• Streamer/Awards Program - To recognize excellence (Engagements, Crews... etc)
• Family Readiness Program - Keep our families informed, empowered, and ready
• Morale and Welfare Program - Work hard/Play Hard
• Technological tools of the modern era - My Leader Blog/Twitter/Facebook for Families

I am a proponent of the 8-Step Training Model.  Use this for each event and you won't go wrong!

The Basics:

• Battalion, company, and platoon training will be planned using the 8 step training model
• Battalion, company, and platoon operations will be executed using the Warning Order (WARNO), 5 w's - What you know the truth to be at the that particular time 
• 5 paragraph Operations Order (OPORD) (60 - 70% solution gets you out the door)
• Briefed to the widest possible audience, followed by a Commander's Backbrief, followed by a rehearsal. Rehearsals are key to success. If a leader fails in every other area, he/she can still carry the day by rehearsing the critical points of a mission.
• Fragmentary Order (FRAGO)  Adjust your order as you go - send changes to subordinates
• Section size elements and below will utilize the Paralell Planning Process 

Protect the Force

We fight tonight
We must be the best we must be fully trained in our core competencies, physically, and mentally ready to dominate any environment.  This is what will ultimately bring us all home safely.  The we fight tonight mentality means just that.. we will be ready!  This mentality must become the cultural touchstone of our organization.  Our Soldiers, Army, and country deserve no less.

• 100% qualification on basic marksmanship
• 100% qualification on reflexive fire
• 100% stabilization of crew served weapons - that is the crews qualify together and are not whimsically broken up
• Cyber Security

Positively engaging the local human landscape

We are stakeholders wherever we are, especially when we are deployed.  When we are in garrison I expect a robust community outreach program.  When we are deployed I expect a robust partnership and an outreach program.  A robust partnership means we are actively mentoring the forces of our host nation.  An outreach program means we are engaging the civilian population, where we can, to promote a positive image of ourselves and our country.  We will actively utilize our intel assets to identify the hazards in this environment.  We will mitigate risk as much as possible.

The future of our country and army is bright, but that doesn't mean we can let our guard down.  We must understand that globalization quickly changes how we do business (the strategic Corporal).  We must be able to quickly and safely integrate new technologies.. this is a key advantage.  We must  understand the environment in which we traditionally operate.  This environment is currently dominated by three factors, the "Arab Spring", the "Nuclear Ambitions" of Iran, and the "ethno-religious political tension" that exists between them and other neighboring countries and regional powers.  This includes the situations taking shape in the countries bordering Isreal.  This is a complex environment that requires maximum situational awareness.  To flourish in this environment we must live the Army Values, be flexible, highly trained, and well organized.  We must have robust systems manned by certified and stabilized crews which have been certified, evaluated collectively, and validated by commanders.
I see organizations as series inter-related systems and sub-systems in constant interaction.  Under normal operational conditions these interact effectively and efficiently.  I will place these systems under stress continuously to ensure they are sound and flexible.  To achieve success leaders will use my commander's intent and their initiative to either develop or modify existing systems to support my vision.  If systems are in conflict then involved leaders fix them quickly.  Disfunctionality makes us vulnerable.  While we live an amazing technological age, we must remember that requires each of us to be better at almost everything.. to be the Pentathlete.

Our flag is to be respected Always and forever