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Critical Thinking Essay

1000 Words4 Pages

Richard and Elder (2008) define critical thinking as “The art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it”. In this research paper, I will cover the importance of being proficient on applying critical and creative thinking process. Moreover, I will provide assertive examples using Major General (MG) David Petraeus’s critical thinking and problem solving process experiences during the invasion of Mosul, Iraq. The Mosul’s invasion was full of suitable and deprived decisions. Nonetheless, all decisions went through a critical thinking process in order to find possible solutions for the post-conflict problems. MG Petraeus reached Mosul in a moment in which that area of operation (AO) required a leader who has skills set …show more content…

MG Petraeus effectively used those intellectual standards to solve problems in Mosul. He understood that any unnecessary confrontation on Mosul’s streets could lead to potential strategic consequences. For this reason, MG Petraeus created a concept that he called, “strategic corporal”, which means, decrease potential strategic consequences in those scenarios in which Soldiers must take snap decisions that could lead to firefight. By placing papers at the forward operating base (FOB) command post, and other strategic places, with questions such as, “What have you and your elements done today to contribute to victory? What have you done to win an Iraqi hearts and minds today?” MG Petraeus assured that every Soldier thought twice before they acted. These actions promoted critical and creative thinking among Soldiers and changed the methods in which Soldiers made decisions. MG Petraeus was able to effectively assess and solve any given problem, due to he become skilled at the art of analyzing and evaluating

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