Posted on Dec 14, 2015
Is there a The Misconception About Innovation In The Military?
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Is there a The Misconception About Innovation In The Military?
Despite the view that military bureaucracies can’t change, service members have a long history of being innovative, especially when stakes are highest.
Service members, both active duty and veteran, should be mindful of their innovation skill set. And whether they work in Silicon Valley or the Pentagon, they should carry themselves with confidence as they seek to adapt their organizations to a rapidly changing world.
RP Members what are your thoughts about innovativness in the military and how it can be applied to the civilian sector?
http://taskandpurpose.com/the-misconception-about-innovation-in-the-military/
Moreover, service members develop a skill set in what I refer to as the “politics of innovation,” something that makes them unique compared to civilian peers who have not had to navigate the politics of government bureaucracy.
Another way of describing military innovation is as the product of two currencies. The first currency, what I call “idea capital,” represents the value of a powerful new idea and the knowledge to bring it about. The second currency, “political capital,” represents the support of key military and civilian leaders to execute change. A reality of change in a bureaucratic environment is that both currencies are crucial for innovation.
Despite the view that military bureaucracies can’t change, service members have a long history of being innovative, especially when stakes are highest.
Service members, both active duty and veteran, should be mindful of their innovation skill set. And whether they work in Silicon Valley or the Pentagon, they should carry themselves with confidence as they seek to adapt their organizations to a rapidly changing world.
RP Members what are your thoughts about innovativness in the military and how it can be applied to the civilian sector?
http://taskandpurpose.com/the-misconception-about-innovation-in-the-military/
Moreover, service members develop a skill set in what I refer to as the “politics of innovation,” something that makes them unique compared to civilian peers who have not had to navigate the politics of government bureaucracy.
Another way of describing military innovation is as the product of two currencies. The first currency, what I call “idea capital,” represents the value of a powerful new idea and the knowledge to bring it about. The second currency, “political capital,” represents the support of key military and civilian leaders to execute change. A reality of change in a bureaucratic environment is that both currencies are crucial for innovation.
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Innovation
Innovation
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 11
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Soldiers and sailors (and I expect Airmen, too) are famous at applying "field expedients" (using what's at hand to solve a problem or fix something). We used to repair the mechanism that drove typewriter ribbons with dog tag chains rather than wait for the repair depot to come to our rescue). However, the talent seems to get rusty somewhere between E1 and O7 proving once again the corrupting influence of bureaucracy. I've witnessed the effects many times.
One of my law professors got into politics. He quickly rose from PTA President to County Executive to Governor to Vice President of the United States. He began as a good man but the system quickly divested him of that quality. His name was Spiro Agnew.
Before entering the Army, I worked in the federal bureaucracy at the Social Security Administration. Innovation was frowned upon at every level. The chief difference between the federal bureaucracy and the Army, I was to learn, was that bureaucrats don't have "mission orientation". Their job is to apply federal laws without variation. Thus innovation is not part of their mindset. If it is, they lose it or go mad.
It seems that as one rises in the ranks of the military they leave the battlefield and take up their duties in environments much like other federal bureaucracies and suffer the same mind-numbing influences as other bureaucrats. Sad...
One of my law professors got into politics. He quickly rose from PTA President to County Executive to Governor to Vice President of the United States. He began as a good man but the system quickly divested him of that quality. His name was Spiro Agnew.
Before entering the Army, I worked in the federal bureaucracy at the Social Security Administration. Innovation was frowned upon at every level. The chief difference between the federal bureaucracy and the Army, I was to learn, was that bureaucrats don't have "mission orientation". Their job is to apply federal laws without variation. Thus innovation is not part of their mindset. If it is, they lose it or go mad.
It seems that as one rises in the ranks of the military they leave the battlefield and take up their duties in environments much like other federal bureaucracies and suffer the same mind-numbing influences as other bureaucrats. Sad...
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SGT James Hammons
We dont give up on solving an issue. And we will find the best way to accomplish the task and we plan for problems ahead of time.
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Not necessary to Inform Me and I will be the First to set the Record Straight on Innovation, Technology and Science. I worked with the Greatest Scientist, Engineers and Technicians in the World and they worked for the DOD and US Navy. Leaders in Computers and Telecommunications. Maggie Turner (Skipper), Grace Hopper (Admiral). Astronauts while I was Master at Arms to COMSPAWARSYSCOM. The fiercest and loudest to sound the Alarm about Global Climate Change were the Scientist at NRL Navy Research Labs. One of my Favorite Jr Officers Mr McGibbon is a Professor of Information and Electronic Warfare at the War College. This is my Community of which I am very Proud.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Often I've experienced disregard for innovation. Years ago I had a great idea to reduce the number of DUI's on base and took it to my Chain of Command. They too thought it was a great idea, and my XO took it to the base XO at NAS North Island. He thought the idea was "too difficult to start" (read too lazy) so it was ultimately shot down. Fast forward 4 years, and my idea was implemented but the base XO took all the credit for it. Yeah I was a little bitter, because I'm sure quite a few people could have avoided getting a DUI and ruining their lives and careers in the preceding 4 years.
Often I've experienced disregard for innovation. Years ago I had a great idea to reduce the number of DUI's on base and took it to my Chain of Command. They too thought it was a great idea, and my XO took it to the base XO at NAS North Island. He thought the idea was "too difficult to start" (read too lazy) so it was ultimately shot down. Fast forward 4 years, and my idea was implemented but the base XO took all the credit for it. Yeah I was a little bitter, because I'm sure quite a few people could have avoided getting a DUI and ruining their lives and careers in the preceding 4 years.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
PO1 John Miller I've seen that happen a lot in the military where individuals come upo with great ideas and their leaders steal them and brand them as their own. As a leader I would never do that - taking and individuals idea, implementing it, and giving them all the praise works wonders for a true leader down the road. Sorry that happened to you. We could wright a whole discussion on that - thanks
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PO1 John Miller
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Thanks. I wasn't looking for glory or a Navy Achievement Medal out of it. I just wanted to possibly save a few lives!
Thanks. I wasn't looking for glory or a Navy Achievement Medal out of it. I just wanted to possibly save a few lives!
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