Mindfulness and Situation Awareness
Abstract
Research shows that over 60% of missions conducted under remote supervision within Command and Control Systems can fail to meet command intent when military decision makers encounter the unexpected. Operationally most of these failures can be seen as minor setbacks; however, they can also be amplified into strategic disasters given foolish reactions to events. Our research is focused on enhancing the probability of military commanders making wise decisions in chaotic circumstances instead of just reacting to events. We argue that mindfulness training can develop the situational awareness of the individual actor beyond a mind focused on 'what' we want to achieve, into a mind constantly engaged in updating 'how' to achieve it, given the evolving operational situation - a state of mind we term Mindful Competence. Mindful Competence draws upon the many studies of mindfulness which have taken place over the last 30 years. Mindful Competence has three phases: Mindful Acceptance which relates to Situation Awareness as commonly articulated; the Mindful Space, which is where decision making occurs; and Mindful Changes, which draws the mind forward into the action stages of an event.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA546950
Entities
People
- Alec Melling
- John Darwin
Organizations
- Sheffield Hallam University