ipl-logo

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

Show More
Related
1813 Words | 8 Pages

Analyzing the mission command principles and the commanding officer’s actions will also be discussed. Specifically, as it relates to building a cohesive team through mutual trust, providing a clear commander’s intent, and accepting prudent risk. While the battle of Fort Riviere and the resulting occupation of Haiti occurred over a century ago, it provides us with an example of American foreign policy during this period and bares resemblance to future American military

Read More
1542 Words | 7 Pages

On July 30, 2008, a bloody battle involving Coalition forces took place in the mountainous eastern Afghan province of Nuristan. This was the Battle of Wanat and the devastating amount of Coalition casualties began a vigorous investigation by the United States Army. The village of Wanat, defended by Second Platoon, Chosen Company, Second Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team would fall victim to numerous bad decision made by higher command. Although the men of Chosen Company fought hard, they ended up surrounded, vastly outnumbered, and without any Battalion assets. This paper will argue the reasons for the disastrous outcome of the Battle of Wanat; examining the effective company leadership exploiting effective

Read More
1814 Words | 8 Pages

Scribbles on Scrap: A Mission Command Analysis of the Battle of the Little Bighorn The massacre at the Little Bighorn in 1876 was one of the most recognizable battles in American history. The defeat of the 7th Cavalry Regiment and the slaughter of 268 Soldiers by the Sioux serves as an enduring subject of study for contemporary military professionals. The basic modus operandi for command principles in the times of the Indian Wars loosely mirrors the mission command philosophy of today; however, if we still lay credence to the efficacy of the mission command philosophy, how was it that a conventional force under the direction of a battle proven leader was defeated by an irregular enemy? In the end, Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer’s complacent

Read More
1800 Words | 8 Pages

In order to inspire Soldiers to win in battle, Colonel Freeman understood he had to gain their trust. His presence at training as well as fighting alongside his unit members on the battlefield, instilled confidence and reinforced trust in his Soldiers. He provided encouragement and confidence to his team. An example of that confidence was during an attack, Colonel Freeman, his executive officer, and his Soldiers laid out their weapons and consolidated ammunition for the last stand. Colonel Freeman displayed an even temperament and convinced his Soldier to believe that the conditions were not as bad as the seemed and he still had control of their destiny.

Read More
1353 Words | 6 Pages

Realizing the need, Major General Petraeus soon began to employ the division to work local nationals to restart water and electricity and working to reopen schools (Lundberg, 2008). Lacking any guidance from his leadership, Petraeus took many prudent risks in order to further see these plans through by utilizing his own assets. For example, according to Lundberg, he utilized assets such as Army engineers to begin clearing rubble and debris from cities, villages, and roadways. Conclusion Providing a strong leadership approach and willingness to take risk, Major General Petraeus was put on a mission to develop and implement strategy to establish stability in Mosul, Iraq.

Read More
708 Words | 3 Pages

Returning to the 4th Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) to assume command as the brigade commander brings me much joy to be reunited with great Non-Commission Officers and Officers that I have previously served with. Unfortunately, this brigade is no longer the brigade I remember when I commanded a battalion within the 4th ABCT not so long ago. In the last 30 days, I have had the opportunity to observe the ABCT and review a multitude of historical documents to assess the state of the brigade. During my observation, I believe the critical leadership problem in the 4th ABCT’s is the lack of vision for the brigade. Therefore, this critical problem has led to other challenging issues within the brigade.

Read More
1069 Words | 5 Pages

Major General Sir Arthur William Currie believed preparation was the key to ultimate success: “Thorough preparation must lead to success. Neglect nothing.” (Brewster 16) An analysis of Currie’s reliance on preparation, his tactical modus operandi, and his strategic approach reveals that Arthur Currie elevated strategic and tactical thinking to the realm of high art while commanding Canadian Forces during World War 1. By doing so, he manifested all of the qualities of precise planning.

Read More
1128 Words | 5 Pages

By definition, “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,” according to ADRP 5-0. Mission command is about knowing when to change the task to fit the purpose. This paper is intended to analyze the mission command of one side of the battle, focusing on the commander’s role in the operations process. The Battle of Bunker Hill was the most important battle of the American Revolution because of Colonel Prescott’s superior command and control.

Read More
1526 Words | 7 Pages

Book Review 2: Soldiers, Statesmen, and Cold War Crises by Richard Betts Summary: Betts starts off his book by recognizing the ambiguity around the advocacy of the use of force in a crisis by military leaders even though there is a prevalent assumption that military professionals are more aggressive than diplomats and politicians. He states he writes the book in order to provide a comprehensive survey of the postwar role of American military men in decisions on their most essential function, their use of force in combat. Betts acknowledges the vast availability of literature on military participation in decisions on defense budgets and weapons procurement, but feels there is a void when looking at decision-making from the perspective of military leadership versus civilian leadership.

Read More
807 Words | 4 Pages

1. CJCS fulfills the role of principal military adviser in the National Security Council system. The CJCS is the senior most military advisor to the President and in such provides that guidance directly to the President, and by participating in National Security Council Principals meetings in person. During these meetings he provides his best professional military advice to the President and the other cabinet members of the NSC. Additionally, he will send his senior most policy advisor the Joint Staff J5 to sit in on Deputies committee meetings and give his guidance at this next level down.

Read More
1021 Words | 5 Pages

We all understand how to be a good Soldier. We must not only know those values, we must encompass them. As Dempsey says; (2010) “The Army Ethic begins with the moral values the Army defends” (p. 12). As a Human Resources Sergeant in the Profession of Arms, we have a calling. We have been called upon to take care of so many in so many different ways.

Read More
688 Words | 3 Pages

The two different components of Gerras ' Critical Thinking Model for the strategic “Darlan Deal” decision while he was in command of the Mediterranean Theater is point of view and implications. Eisenhower’s SHAEF staff selection process is a strategic decision while serving as the Supreme Allied Commander that displays the heuristics and biases components of Gerras ' Critical Thinking Model for evaluating information. The Darlan Deal came about in November 1942 when Henri Giraud and Mark Clark were sent to Algiers on behalf of Eisenhower to win over the French, but Giraud was not highly regarded by the French. They met with a captured French Admiral by the name of Jean-Francois Darlan and took advantage of his opportunist position.

Read More
1262 Words | 6 Pages

Among these five characteristics; military expertise, honorable service, trust, esprit de corps, and stewardship of the profession, I believe that military expertise and stewardship of the profession are the two characteristics that make a leader excel in the presence of their peers. ADRP 1 defines military expertise as, “Military expertise is the design, generation, support, and ethical application of land power, primarily in unified land operations, and all supporting capabilities essential to accomplish the mission in defense of the American people”. In order to gain trust from your subordinates for them to follow your guidance, a leader must have military expertise. Without being an expert in your field, subordinates will not trust your guidance provided unto them. ADRP 1 defines Stewardship of the Profession as, “Stewardship is the responsibility of Army professionals to ensure the profession maintains its five essential characteristics now and into the future”.

Read More
990 Words | 4 Pages

The U.S. Army demands that all its members be accountable for their actions, equipment, records, duties and even for their fellow warriors. Planning for operations, especially during times of war, stresses the importance of

Read More
1230 Words | 5 Pages

The Effective Military Leader Warrant Officer Romero, Philip T. SPC: Captain Dearth, 1st Platoon The book “Black Hearts One Platoons Descent into Madness in Iraq’s Triangle of Death” by Jim Frederick is a true story about multiple leadership failures and six United States Soldiers from 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division who were convicted for their involvement in horrible crimes while deployed to Iraq. The horrific acts including rape as well as murder committed by the soldiers of 1st platoon were a direct result of poor military leadership. Bad leadership will corrupt any military unit.

Read More

More about Critical Thinking Essay

Related Topics

Open Document