I did the same thing as a PL. I'd find times at ranges, training areas, and getting hooked up from my buddy in the aviation squadron, plan out the training, and submit it to my commander. It was all lined up with his METL and direction. Then I'd go train week after week. My fellow PLs would get pissed because I was never tasked with last minute BS details or other things. We trained like crazy and had a great time.
lol. We have a lot in common. It always bugged me that others wouldn't do it because it was so obvious and so easy and so much fun! Then again, had everyone else done it, booking would have been harder.
Making friends with Range Control was also important because, instead of being the 'big bad' they became my advocates and one old crusty retired 1SG, once respected, shared all the best range control plans with me so I had an entire portfolio of previously approved training plans, ranges, etc.
Very nice essay. This manages to encompass a larger discussion of achieving, or more importantly not achieving, strategic end states during the Afghan Campaign (which I was a part of in 2007 - 2008), while starting with tips for effective tactical unit training. Excellent.
Means (resources) + Ways (in which they are used) ——> Ends
Criminal negligence at best…systems are stupider than people. In my essay on Afghanistan from 2021 I laid out how it’s almost impossible to point at individuals and demonstrate malfeasance. Afghanistan was a catastrophe.
I did the same thing as a PL. I'd find times at ranges, training areas, and getting hooked up from my buddy in the aviation squadron, plan out the training, and submit it to my commander. It was all lined up with his METL and direction. Then I'd go train week after week. My fellow PLs would get pissed because I was never tasked with last minute BS details or other things. We trained like crazy and had a great time.
If I had to guess one other officer who followed this approach, I would have said “Woudenberg *for sure*” 🤣
lol. We have a lot in common. It always bugged me that others wouldn't do it because it was so obvious and so easy and so much fun! Then again, had everyone else done it, booking would have been harder.
Making friends with Range Control was also important because, instead of being the 'big bad' they became my advocates and one old crusty retired 1SG, once respected, shared all the best range control plans with me so I had an entire portfolio of previously approved training plans, ranges, etc.
Very nice essay. This manages to encompass a larger discussion of achieving, or more importantly not achieving, strategic end states during the Afghan Campaign (which I was a part of in 2007 - 2008), while starting with tips for effective tactical unit training. Excellent.
Means (resources) + Ways (in which they are used) ——> Ends
Thanks Harold! And thank you for your service in Afghanistan!
Criminal negligence at best…systems are stupider than people. In my essay on Afghanistan from 2021 I laid out how it’s almost impossible to point at individuals and demonstrate malfeasance. Afghanistan was a catastrophe.