Maj Ball, kudos to you on this article - simply fantastic. TDGs are an essential part of "deliberate development", not only of our subordinates, but for ourselves as leaders, and something I failed at consistently throughout my career. So it's quite refreshing to see that someone has taken it so seriously and deliberately. I've spent the day digesting the contents of this article and am inspired to incorporate some of your points into my instruction of Ukrainian cadets. Our recent course for senior cadets - of a dozen topics - entailed a dedicated class on TDGs, focusing on their value in developing decisionmaking and communication skills in both leaders and their subordinates. During the TDGs, I would have the cadet Plt Cmdr issue verbal orders to 3 chosen cadet squad leaders. Upon receipt of the verbal order, I then grilled the squad leaders on their understanding of their Plt Cmdr's plan in an effort to underscore the importance of clear, concise, and comprehensible orders. Your addition to the OODA-Loop of "communicate" is an essential nuance for those engaged in small unit leadership in combat - god bless you for pointing that out. You and I need to sit down over a beer...
Maj Ball, kudos to you on this article - simply fantastic. TDGs are an essential part of "deliberate development", not only of our subordinates, but for ourselves as leaders, and something I failed at consistently throughout my career. So it's quite refreshing to see that someone has taken it so seriously and deliberately. I've spent the day digesting the contents of this article and am inspired to incorporate some of your points into my instruction of Ukrainian cadets. Our recent course for senior cadets - of a dozen topics - entailed a dedicated class on TDGs, focusing on their value in developing decisionmaking and communication skills in both leaders and their subordinates. During the TDGs, I would have the cadet Plt Cmdr issue verbal orders to 3 chosen cadet squad leaders. Upon receipt of the verbal order, I then grilled the squad leaders on their understanding of their Plt Cmdr's plan in an effort to underscore the importance of clear, concise, and comprehensible orders. Your addition to the OODA-Loop of "communicate" is an essential nuance for those engaged in small unit leadership in combat - god bless you for pointing that out. You and I need to sit down over a beer...