View Full Version : Situational Awareness
"Situational Awareness" or SA is a term that is mentioned often, in many different contexts, in this forum. I was wondering where you (QPs, LEOs, anyone who thinks they possess consistent SA) learned to have it. Do you think it was innate? Did you learn it through martial arts? Tactical training? Time spent in the woods? Do you think you learned it when you were actually in a dangerous area or situation? Or is it all of these factors?
Or, do I even have the correct definition of Situation Awareness. (Definition found via Google: "Situational Awareness refers to the degree of accuracy by which one's perception of his current environment mirrors reality.") I always thought of it more as the ability to keep ones eyes, ears, and all other sensory receptors open, but perhaps I was wrong, or at least don't have the whole picture.
Anyway, after all that rambling: What is situational awareness? How did you become situationally aware?
The Reaper
08-03-2005, 12:02
"Situational Awareness" or SA is a term that is mentioned often, in many different contexts, in this forum. I was wondering where you (QPs, LEOs, anyone who thinks they possess consistent SA) learned to have it. Do you think it was innate? Did you learn it through martial arts? Tactical training? Time spent in the woods? Do you think you learned it when you were actually in a dangerous area or situation? Or is it all of these factors?
Or, do I even have the correct definition of Situation Awareness. (Definition found via Google: "Situational Awareness refers to the degree of accuracy by which one's perception of his current environment mirrors reality.") I always thought of it more as the ability to keep ones eyes, ears, and all other sensory receptors open, but perhaps I was wrong, or at least don't have the whole picture.
Anyway, after all that rambling: What is situational awareness? How did you become situationally aware?
Since you asked about SA, have you done a search on this topic here?
It has been discussed before. Repeatedly.
TR
NousDefionsDoc
08-03-2005, 12:04
Learned by listening to good Team Sergeants and being in many, many situations.
SA is nothing more than making sure your head isn't up your ass and looking (listening) before you leap.
"No Dar Papaya"
"En la jugada"
Mouth breathing is a sure S/S of lack thereof.
Since you asked about SA, have you done a search on this topic here?
It has been discussed before. Repeatedly.
TR
Maybe we need a library folder run by the mods. Some of the clasic question long threads that have sunk off the pages are locked by the Mods and placed in the Library folder. A new poster is told to make an introduction and then read everything in the library before making a second post. No excuse for a repeat question then.
Just a thought.
Mouth breathing is a sure S/S of lack thereof.
Would you please elaborate, NDD?
The Reaper
08-03-2005, 12:26
Maybe we need a library folder run by the mods. Some of the clasic question long threads that have sunk off the pages are locked by the Mods and placed in the Library folder. A new poster is told to make an introduction and then read everything in the library before making a second post. No excuse for a repeat question then.
Just a thought.
Wouldn't work.
They already don't read the stickies or Intros, search here or on Google. Many log on and immediately ask whatever pops into their little minds, frequently repeatedly.
I am thinking a solution would be to lock new users accounts so that they cannot post for 30 days.
Anyone asking a redundant question after that time would be locked out of posting for an additional period TBD.
Additional violations after that would result in a user ban. Too stupid to read and follow simple directions, too much of a waste of our time to tolerate further.
This is a QP owned and operated website, not theirs.
TR
NousDefionsDoc
08-03-2005, 12:35
Would you please elaborate, NDD?
You don't know what mouth breathing is? Go to your local Mickey Ds and ask the thing behind the cash register to make change without using a calculator or the little pictures of hamburgers on the cash register.
Go to a "peace protest" and ask any of them what they are protesting. Ask them "Why Iraq?" in the strategic context of the GWOT.
Get an analog watch and go to your local college and show it to them and ask them to tell you what time it is.
You don't know what mouth breathing is? Go to your local Mickey Ds and ask the thing behind the cash register to make change without using a calculator or the little pictures of hamburgers on the cash register.
Go to a "peace protest" and ask any of them what they are protesting. Ask them "Why Iraq?" in the strategic context of the GWOT.
Get an analog watch and go to your local college and show it to them and ask them to tell you what time it is.
Well, I suspected that you might be making a martial arts reference to circular breathing, but did not realize it could be used as a pejorative, too. :D
::Typing with mouth closed::
My apologies, I had thought that my research had been sufficient, but it obviously had not.
If anyone, like me, was interested in the topic, the following thread is of great help:
http://professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1954&highlight=Situational+Awareness
In the linked thread, Shadowflyer posts a link to a different site which is very helpful, I believe, in grasping what seem to be key points about this concept, if you find the replies on the thread itself to be tough to process.
In any case, I apologize again, if you are going to start a probationary policy, start with me. I find myself to be in egregious violation of the repeatedly stated norms of behavior for this forum.
My apologies, I had thought that my research had been sufficient, but it obviously had not.
If anyone, like me, was interested in the topic, the following thread is of great help:
http://professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1954&highlight=Situational+Awareness
In the linked thread, Shadowflyer posts a link to a different site which is very helpful, I believe, in grasping what seem to be key points about this concept, if you find the replies on the thread itself to be tough to process.
In any case, I apologize again, if you are going to start a probationary policy, start with me. I find myself to be in egregious violation of the repeatedly stated norms of behavior for this forum.
Pick yourself up and move on man!!! :lifter
I wouldn't volunteer to be the first of anything on this site unless you are a QP/ Mod/ Admin or vetted member of the site. Bad things happen to willing people on this site. :D
Calculated risks are one thing, risk aversion is a good thing to practice otherwise.
I'm with Pete and TR on thier ideas. I know a 30 day probationary period would've helped me from stepping on my own crank. Of course sometimes I just think you fellas are lying in wait for the next chew toy. :rolleyes:
You don't know what mouth breathing is? Go to your local Mickey Ds and ask the thing behind the cash register to make change without using a calculator or the little pictures of hamburgers on the cash register.
Go to a "peace protest" and ask any of them what they are protesting. Ask them "Why Iraq?" in the strategic context of the GWOT.
Get an analog watch and go to your local college and show it to them and ask them to tell you what time it is.If you ever want to see how people react...just turn off the electricity! :lifter
Take care.
The Reaper
08-03-2005, 13:43
Of course sometimes I just think you fellas are lying in wait for the next chew toy. :rolleyes:
You don't have to lie in wait on this site.
You stand right out in the open holding big "Don't Do It!" signs, and watch them march right up to you in a row, one after another, and do it anyway.
You let a few slide and pretty soon, you are up to your neck in bad posts, and it isn't your site anymore, it is theirs.
Not happening on my watch. We may have fewer posters, but better ones. Like SF.
TR
Sacamuelas
08-03-2005, 14:09
Of course sometimes I just think you fellas are lying in wait for the next chew toy. :rolleyes:
:rolleyes:
FWIW, we "fellas"do not want to take time out of our personal lives to read and then have to reply to redundant or ignorant posts. There is nobody "lying in wait" on this site. We routinely delete dumbass posts all the time to:
(a) prevent everyone from wasting their time having to read them
(b) prevent a bad example of a post from being considered "acceptable"
Sometimes, however, the Admins/Mods/QP's on this board make the decision to allow a public example to be made of certain threads to prevent further similar diversions in the future.
I'm done explaining. Got any more questions or observations about the motives of professionalsoldiers.com staff or our "Quiet Professional" members?
:rolleyes:
FWIW, we "fellas"do not want to take time out of our personal lives to read and then have to reply to redundant or ignorant posts. There is nobody "lying in wait" on this site. We routinely delete dumbass posts all the time to:
(a) prevent everyone from wasting their time having to read them
(b) prevent a bad example of a post from being considered "acceptable"
Sometimes, however, the Admins/Mods/QP's on this board make the decision to allow a public example to be made of certain threads to prevent further similar diversions in the future.
I'm done explaining. Got any more questions or observations about the motives of professionalsoldiers.com staff or our "Quiet Professional" members?
I know the motives of those that created this site and I am completely aware of this forum's intent. I've read the stickies and as it seems I've done nothing but piss you off. I enjoy the consumate professionals opinions and vast knowledge they possess.
My apologies to you and others I may have offended. But, my post was to shed light on my potential to become the laughing stock of this website when I initially came aboard. The same may apply to Non-QP's that frequent this site.
I will not name names, but I've been informed that some do enjoy the occasional awarness training session. This re-enforces your post that some do become the example.
V/R
SGT B
Roguish Lawyer
08-03-2005, 14:34
I will not name names, but I've been informed that some do enjoy the occasional awarness training session.
You really ought to stop digging.
It's just simple snake fascination counselor. Troops do it all the time to see if someone is paying attention to them.
Doc
Kyobanim
08-03-2005, 17:14
Doc,
you forgot something . . .
Doc,
you forgot something . . .
LMAO!
Doc
NousDefionsDoc
08-03-2005, 18:23
Pick yourself up and move on man!!! :lifter
I wouldn't volunteer to be the first of anything on this site unless you are a QP/ Mod/ Admin or vetted member of the site. Bad things happen to willing people on this site. :D
Calculated risks are one thing, risk aversion is a good thing to practice otherwise.
I'm with Pete and TR on thier ideas. I know a 30 day probationary period would've helped me from stepping on my own crank. Of course sometimes I just think you fellas are lying in wait for the next chew toy. :rolleyes:
I find this interesting. You giving advice to someone about staying out of the spotlight, yet you appear to be running around the stage trying to get it to shine on you yourself. You've been here long enough to know how this board works, you advise others, yet you violate your own advice? You had to know what was going to happen when you posted this. Are you that bored? You've been here going on 8 months, so apparently a 30 day probationary period is about 210 days too little?
I think this may be a simple case of a poor choice of words. At least I will take it as such. I have found that very seldom does attempting to be clever work well with professionals. Just a friendly word based on my experience.
Stay in your lane and I think we'll all be happier.