Mission Tactics: Recognition-Primed Decision Process

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Mission Tactics: Mission tactics are the tools, methodology, and framework that allow Marines to perform. Each MOS has different tactics, and each MOS must employ them differently. Here are some examples:

Infantry Marines continuously train unit-specific SOPs regarding their job and their mission. Be it call for fire, CASEVAC 9-lines, fire and maneuver, etc. the infantryman will know how to do it.

Intelligence Marines train to satisfy intelligence requirements to reduce uncertainty for the commander. They know how to leverage assets to satisfy those requirements, and reduce the commander’s uncertainty.

In short, mission tactics provide a foundation for junior Marines to become leaders. After enough repetitions, these responses become second nature; which develops the Recognition-Primed Decision Process. (SC5910REQD)

A Bias for Action: Having a “bias for action” to me, is a fancy term for “initiative.” Initiative is essential to anticipate tasks and requirements required to accomplish the mission. When an individual combines initiative with hard-won experience, a Marine not only knows how to react but also to be proactive. Proactivity is essential to mission success; regardless of MOS. As an intelligence team lead, I trained my Marines to develop initiative above anything else. Experience and tactical understanding come with
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In Afghanistan, young children would always run beside the MRAPs and LAVs of our battalion. One day, while observing a convoy’s return, a Marine made a quip that went something like “Hey, those kids are well within 50 meters! I know we use escalation of force!” Despite the jovial nature of the remark, our watch officer corrected the remark, specifically referencing the term “tactical patience.” In this instance, the children were blatantly not a threat, and thus the escalation of force rules did not apply to them. (CWO2 Brent Kern, OEF

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