MISSION COMMAND - Do you (Army members) understand this?

2013-12-16T19:21:02-05:00

"Mission Command" replaced "Command and Control"

ADP 6-0, Mission Command
http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/dr_a/pdf/adp6_0_new.pdf

The mission command philosophy of command is one of the foundations of unified land operations.

Mission command is the exercise of authority and direction by the commander using mission orders to enable disciplined initiative within the commander’s intent to empower agile and adaptive leaders in the conduct of unified land operations.

The mission command philosophy effectively accounts for the nature of military operations. Throughout operations, unexpected opportunities and threats rapidly present themselves. Operations require responsibility and decision-making at the point of action. Through mission command, commanders initiate and integrate all military functions and actions toward a common goal—mission accomplishment.

The six principles of mission command are:
1. Build cohesive teams through mutual trust.
2. Create shared understanding.
3. Provide a clear commander’s intent.
4. Exercise disciplined initiative.
5. Use mission orders.
6. Accept prudent risk.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2013 7:35 PM

2013-12-16T19:35:47-05:00

tl;dr - I get it, I love it, I live it; I don't think we've told anyone about it, though.

Here's the sad thing: I was introduced to Mission Command via the Duffelblog and its article "Staff Sergeant Scared [Stuff]less of 'Mission Command'"

There was no big NCODP, no higher Army brief, no Army Times announcement (which was the only thing other than the ADP newsletter that announced the new AR 600-9), and nothing else. Just a military satire publication that poked fun at the junior NCOs who never learned to lead/fight like that.

The ADP has been out for a year and a half now, the term itself shot around on milSuite, and I even encountered a monstrous triple-digit page paper on historical examples of mission command.

Here's the crazy thing: The headshed took a moment to give us the gospel after quarterly EO training last week and asked if any of us knew about Mission Command. Two hands went up. At a TRADOC post full of doctrine SMEs.

There was much sadness in my heart.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Dec 18 at 2013 3:22 AM

2013-12-18T03:22:26-05:00

As SGM Brainard stated, this is not new.

Good Cdr's have been doing this for years with great success.

Response by MAJ Samuel Weber made Jan 14 at 2014 9:01 AM

2014-01-14T09:01:03-05:00

This is being taught in the Captain's Career Course across
the Army. In fact during my interview for Company Command, the Battalion Commander
asked me if I understood Mission Command and how to exercise it. So far the
other posts are on target, this is not new and good leaders have been doing it
for decades (another great idea we took from the Germans). What I like about
Mission Command is the fact that is pushes commanders to empower their
subordinate leaders and trust their NCOs. This is a good thing, whereas Command
and Control was more directive and focused on the Orders process. It was, at
times painful.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2014 9:07 AM

2014-01-14T09:07:03-05:00

I might have educate myself today.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2016 9:53 AM

2016-01-20T09:53:21-05:00

SGM Matthew Quick Yes, I had the pleasure of serving under a MG and BG who embodied and embraced it in their leadership styles. Excellent question.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 7:35 PM

2016-03-09T19:35:34-05:00

Definitely CAF uses this also. In my 25 years in the CAF, I have definitely exercised this art.