We Have Not Yet Learned Our Lesson

Abstract

Lessons learned systems allow the Military Services to supplement current levels of training and experience with the successes and failures of the past. Today's programs, however, fail to optimally link modern and future forces to the knowledge of their predecessors due to issues with data collection, knowledge integration, and institutionalization. Failure to comprehensively capture observations, both actively and passively, has created opportunities for gaps in the information available for end users. Further, issues with analysis, validation, and dissemination, have limited the integration of knowledge into the force. Lastly, the Services have failed to fully institutionalize the concept of lesson learning. To allow units to effectively leverage collective knowledge in preparation for future operations, military lessons learned programs must bridge these system gaps, better linking past experiences to planners and decision makers. Current programs need to expand their collection and integration efforts to comprehensively provide users with invaluable knowledge. They must also encourage system utilization and create stakeholders in the lessons learning process.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 15, 2014
Accession Number
ADA609303

Entities

People

  • Thomas K. Morrow Ii

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Doctrine
  • Information Systems
  • Knowledge Management
  • Korean War
  • Learning
  • Lessons Learned
  • Marine Corps
  • Military History
  • Military Operations
  • Military Personnel
  • Naval Operations
  • Observation
  • Students
  • Training
  • United States
  • Validation
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Economics
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies