The Need for Training for Uncertainty.
Abstract
The battlefield's rapidly changing environment requires soldiers to make decisions and use initiative to defeat the enemy. This monograph's intent is to explain why training for uncertainty is imperative in cultivating a unit able to adapt to the changing conditions in combat. The primary research question is: How does training for uncertainty enhance a soldier's ability to display initiative on the battlefield? This monograph explains complexity theory and then relates the theory's applications to the battlefield. The author discusses the requirements for a complex, adaptive system and how a system adapts to changing conditions to remain viable in its environment. Emergent behaviors within the system enable the whole system to adapt and survive. However, this emergence can retard the growth of a system if no overarching goal or unifying concept is present. On the battlefield, this unifying concept is the commander's intent and the emergent property is initiative. Only by knowing the commander's overall purpose can soldiers make judgments which further the goals of the commander and the unit. However, soldiers cannot be expected to employ initiative on the battlefield if they have not been required to practice it in training. Training for uncertainty will produce soldiers better able to apply initiative on the battlefield.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 18, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA324367
Entities
People
- Brian D. Prosser
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College