Murphy's law is an adage or epigram that is typically stated as: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Agree/Disagree?

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 16:23:41 -0500

Wow I agree with the example of Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. If its man made then its subject to the laws of physics and will encounter problems. I used to prepare for inspections as a Drill Sergeant in the barracks and all of a sudden.....you guessed it....dust would appear out of nowhere in a tight sealed room and I would fail the inspection. Wow--wee a lot more, countless mishaps, I think everyone can relate. (LEADERS A GREAT RISK ASSEMENT TOOL).

MURPHY'S LAWS

1. If anything can go wrong, it will.
2. If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the first one to go wrong.
3. If anything just cannot go wrong, it will anyway.
4. If you perceive that there are four possible ways in which something can go wrong, and circumvent these, then a fifth way, unprepared for, will promptly develop.
5. Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse.
6. If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
7. Nature always sides with the hidden flaw.
8. Mother nature is a _itch.

http://davetgc.com/Murphys_Law.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murphy's_law

Murphy's Laws

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jan 9 at 2015 4:24 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 16:24:03 -0500

I have always been a fan of the "best laid plans never survive the first round of an engagement." The enemy gets a vote. Equate Murphy to the probabilistic view of combat that allows for small unit leaders to improvise and adapt on the battlefield to gain and exploit all opportunities presented to them.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jan 9 at 2015 6:10 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 18:10:48 -0500

Oh Good Lord YES! But it has never been an issue.

------"A serious problem in planning against American doctrine is that the Americans do not read their manuals, nor do they feel any obligation to follow their doctrine."......(from a Soviet LT's leaders book from the Cold War).

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 6:24 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 18:24:33 -0500

Murphy's Law fits right in with my personal philosophy (not original, obviously) ... "Hope for the best, but plan for the worst." Murphy's Law fits into the second half of that philosophy: Plan for things to go wrong and you'll be prepared to respond in a way to overcome the problems and keep driving on with the mission.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jan 9 at 2015 6:40 PM

SGT Richard H. — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 18:40:24 -0500

Yes, I agree, but as NCOs, we are specifically tasked to close with and destroy Murphy.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Jan 9 at 2015 6:42 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 18:42:24 -0500

I have always said, if I ever find that 'Murphy guy', I am taking him out...

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Jan 9 at 2015 6:44 PM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 18:44:35 -0500

Somewhere in my vast store is a brief purported collection of Finnagle's Laws. The ones that have stuck with me over the years are

* Experience is directly proportional to equipment ruined.
* A record of experimental data is useful. It indicates that you have been working.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jan 9 at 2015 6:49 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 18:49:47 -0500

Agree or not, it's a good way to plan.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 11:16 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 23:16:32 -0500

My favorite answer to Murphy is the 7Ps. Proper prior planning prevents piss poor performance.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 11 at 2015 1:27 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 13:27:59 -0500

Murphy was an optimist

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Jan 11 at 2015 2:31 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 14:31:46 -0500

Damn that Murphy !!!!! is he at it again !?!?!?!?

Response by CPT Craig Church, ASLA, LEED GA made May 12 at 2015 8:03 PM

CPT Craig Church, ASLA, LEED GA — Tue, 12 May 2015 20:03:19 -0400

This is absolutely true and it keeps you aware of possible problems. Amen.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 21 at 2015 9:53 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 21:53:45 -0400

"That's a fact,Jack"