Commanders Intent

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the importance of commanders personally developing and articulating a clear commander's intent, drawing on personal experience from Desert Storm. They argue that while formats and structures like the mission antenna can be useful, a commander must engage in critical thinking and synthesis to define their intent. Writing it down, particularly in a flexible format, helps clarify and refine the intention, ensuring it is understood by others. Ultimately, the speaker stresses that clear communication and self-articulation are crucial for successful leadership in military operations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Commanders should establish a clear intent for operations, as emphasized by Field Marshal Slim in his book.
• 😀 The process of establishing intent involves critical thinking and synthesizing information to create a coherent strategy.
• 😀 Commanders should take the time to write down their intent, as it helps clarify their thinking and solidify the operation's goals.
• 😀 There is no one-size-fits-all format for articulating intent—commanders can do it in different ways based on their preferences and experiences.
• 😀 Senior commanders, especially those with combat experience, should be trusted to create their own intents without rigid formatting rules.
• 😀 The speaker personally dislikes overly structured formats like the mission antenna, preferring a more organic approach to stating intent.
• 😀 Writing down the intent, especially in a flexible format, allows the commander to revise and refine their thoughts as the operation develops.
• 😀 A handwritten or informal version of intent (such as on a memorandum form) can provide clarity and allow for revisions when necessary.
• 😀 Articulating intent through writing forces clarity and helps the commander fully understand and communicate the operation’s purpose.
• 😀 Writing the intent down is a vital exercise because it pushes the commander to express their vision in a way that others can understand.

Q & A

What does the speaker believe commanders need to focus on?

The speaker believes commanders need to establish an intent. Specifically, they need to think critically and synthesize information to create a clear, articulated commander's intent.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of writing down the intent?

Writing down the intent forces commanders to articulate their thoughts clearly, which helps ensure clarity and understanding of the operation's purpose.

What is the speaker's opinion about the format of mission intent used in the army?

The speaker does not like the standardized formatting of mission intent used in the army, particularly the 'mission antenna' format. He believes commanders should have flexibility in expressing intent in their own way.

What method did the speaker use to write down his commander's intent during Desert Storm?

The speaker used a blue office memorandum form, writing the intent in pencil to allow for changes and revisions as necessary.

Why does the speaker believe commanders should be involved in writing their own intent?

The speaker believes that senior commanders, due to their experience, should be able to write their own intent. This process forces them to think critically and clearly about the operation's purpose.

What is the significance of writing down the commander's intent in the speaker's view?

Writing it down is crucial because it helps the commander clarify their thoughts and ensures that the intent is accurately understood by others, providing great clarity for the entire operation.

How does the speaker feel about senior commanders' experience and their ability to create an intent?

The speaker feels that senior commanders, who have a wealth of experience and combat knowledge, are capable of creating a clear and effective commander's intent.

What does the speaker think is the benefit of forcing oneself to write down the commander's intent?

Forcing oneself to write it down helps the commander refine their thinking, forcing them to articulate their intention clearly and avoid vague or unclear concepts.

What is the purpose of the 'critical thinking' the speaker refers to in relation to creating a commander's intent?

Critical thinking helps commanders break down complex information, synthesize it, and create a clear, actionable intent that guides the operation.

How does the speaker feel about commanders at senior levels being able to write down their intent?

The speaker believes that experienced commanders, especially those with multiple combat experiences, are well-equipped to articulate their own commander's intent effectively without relying on rigid formats.