It's only FID, Hell anybody can do it!
 

Language

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1GrdTakvl8

R
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NICE

Really? :confused:

Pat

Somehow, I get the impression there will be no donuts after the meeting...:D

More seriously, I cannot help but wonder about the long-term viability of the Iraqi state given what appears to be a complete lack of commitment on the part of the Iraqis.

I was half-expecting someone to raise their hand when he asked if there were any Mahdi militia in the formation...

Cannot say he ain't right about the facts but still, that's an huffy culture to be spoken at that way. I hate huffy cultures.

I guess this is how the "General Purpose Forces" conduct FID. Good thing the military is studying COIN.:rolleyes:

While I will agree he was pretty gruff, I would like to know the back story on him and the situation. In my experience a "well timed fit" can be a very effective leadership tool, especially if it is used very infrequently and selectively, and targeting for a specific response for a very specific reason. At the same time a poorly thought through rant can do significant damage to the cohesiveness of a unit.

Just my .02

Wow

Seriously, from the perspective of learning more about leadership - what should one do to enhance the effectiveness of such a group?

I'm not asking about material that might be inappropriate for public discussion - rather, I'm curious about general principles of leadership. So, supposing that the Iraqis represent a largely unmotivated group that may include some that are hostile, how would one approach the problem?

I can see a somewhat similar situation with U.S. workers in a downsized company, all faced with a new leader/manager. If the person in front of the group compliments them, it is, quite simply, nonsense. They are (seemingly) not effective, nor are they engaged. On the other hand, the consensus seems to be that insulting them is likewise counterproductive. So...perhaps some middle approach? But what?

Anyway, if such things can be discussed without compromising sensitive information, I would like to improve my understanding.

TS,
This guy wasn’t reading FM 3-24, he had the early version – If I remember Big Army’s definition of Hearts & Minds was – “If you grab them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow”. :D

“We should accept the fact that conventionally trained armies are not the most optimal forces trained and prepared for counterinsurgency warfare, but those forces can in fact learn and adapt to the situations that confront them fairly quickly. In the early months of Iraq key policy and strategic failures were made.--- the American Army adapted to full spectrum operations which included adapting quickly to many best practices in Coin.”

http://abumuqawama.blogspot.com/2009...ama-round.html

SnT

An unusal way to get a response, but he got it.

"How can we improve our image?"

Weather that was a sincere question, who knows; but he had an oportunity to create motivation and solidify vision and then he went and screwed it up by saying "go down the road and get in a fire-fight".

Which, as uneducated as I am, I can't imagine would be a next step with a positive outcome.

Surley he got his butt kicked by higher up for this display of 'leadership'?

S

"Unofficial" postings were "When you've got them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow." :D

Our variant at SFT-36 was a poster of a huge Orangutan wearing a beret and saying "Let me win your hearts and minds...or I'll burn your f'in huts down!" ;)

But I'm thinking you can't do that now with all the COO doctrine and "Warrior" :rolleyes: schooling for the masses and such.

Richard's $.02 :munchin

Does anyone know why the speech was given? Something must have happened.

What possibly happened....
 

I have no first hand knowledge and this is pure speculation. Maybe the events described in these links have something to do with this situation.

http://www.almanar.com.lb/NewsSite/N...87&language=en

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,410921,00.html

I could be WAY off.


I love the "pep talk" given by this Soldier though.