Ready, Aim, Fire vs. Fire, Ready, Aim

In Action, We Trust: Imagine a situation where one group takes weeks to create meticulous plans to wage a war game. Every contingency is considered, outlined, evaluated, charted, discussed, and rehearsed. The opposing group invests only four hours in planning and then takes action. Who do you think prevailed?

Thought Things First: Action Beats Planning? Start before you are ready. I'll illustrate this concept with a story below.

War Games

It was 1991, and 23 Marines had just lost their lives during Desert Storm.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff determined that the US military would "set an example" by confirming their ground superiority. He informed his general of the exercise. The US military and a foreign military had agreed to conduct war game exercises. The foreign military was going to bring their soldiers to the Marine military base in California. 

The best and most experienced captain was selected to head the Marines four weeks ahead of the exercise. He had been stationed at this military base for over a decade and was highly familiar with the land and layout. Additionally, he participated in two other war games with two other countries. He was very successful both times.

The Gorilla vs. The Guerilla: Originally, the captain was going to have one hundred soldiers under his command but later decided to use more than double that to 250 soldiers, just to make sure that a decisive lesson was inflicted upon the visiting military forces.  

The foreign military group brought a platoon of just fifty soldiers and arrived one week before the exercise to survey the land, prepare their equipment, and design their battle plan. When asked why they decided to bring only fifty soldiers, the foreign officer simply stated, "That is all we could afford to send over, and these are all of our best men."

Plan, Then Plan More: Meanwhile, the Marine Captain prepared in the weeks ahead of the exercise and planned for every conceivable contingency. The war games would take place over 20 square miles of military lands. He had vehicles of all kinds, mostly for off-road terrains and rapid transit. His mobility would be his ace. He would be able to move swiftly and dominate. If there was a storm, he had waterproof uniforms and equipment. If the war game ran into the night ("It wouldn't," he thought), he would overcome poor visibility with night vision goggles. If a medical emergency or outbreak occurred, he had medics to be spaced throughout the battlefield.

Zulu Time: The exercise was to begin in Southern California on a Saturday at 07:00 local time. The major required every soldier to be in position at 06:30 so they would be ready for the 07:00 start time. Additionally, a briefing between the US and foreign leaders would occur at 06:45.

Before Zulu Time: When the Captain arrived at 06:00, allowing for ample time to review his plans before the 06:30 preparation and the 06:45 briefing, he was immediately advised that the troops weren't ready.

Fire Before Ready: At midnight before the games, just a few 'enemy soldiers' broke into the Captain's camp and then created a plan to disrupt as much as they could before the start of the war game. 

<"Fire all your guns at once, and explode into space.">>

They not only stole all vehicle batteries but let the air out of all tires and spares by simply removing the twenty-five-cent valve stem. Next, they drained all the gas and diesel from every vehicle and disabled every fuel truck. Finally, they inserted communication jamming devices around the perimeter. They accomplished their 'action' in about four hours. 

All's Fair: The US captain instantly determined the foreign military had practiced guerilla warfare techniques. The captain complained to the general, saying it wasn't fair and that the military exercise would have to be postponed until the batteries were recovered and communication lines reestablished. The foreign leader said they were starting the exercise at precisely 07:00, as agreed upon, and if the captain wished to surrender, he would reluctantly accept the defeat of the US Marines.

All the same, the captain continued to complain that it wasn't fair and that the foreign force's actions were unacceptable. The foreign officer simply replied that had this been a real war game situation, he would have slashed all the tires, blown up the fuel trucks, taken all their electronics and weaponry, and stolen their provisions.

He (rightfully) stated the only real damage to the military was to the captain's ego.

"Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all." --George Washington

Game Over: Reluctantly, the general agreed and ordered the captain to surrender. The foreign troops took the opportunity to have a nice, relaxing day on a sunny Southern California beach.

"Victory usually goes to the army who has better-trained officers and men." --Sun Tzu

Rules of Engagement

The First Law Of Battle: The first casualty of any battle is your plan.

"In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable." -- Dwight D. Eisenhower

The Second Law Of Battle: There are no rules.

The Third Law Of Battle: Guerrilla warfare works.

Paradox: For your side, it is not a matter of who was right but who was left.

"The conventional army loses if it does not win. The guerrilla wins if he does not lose." --Henry A. Kissinger

Back Thoughts: What is the main lesson from this essay? Fire Before Ready.

<"Hmm, I just read this... What is this some sort of latent, suppressed GI Joe action doll fantasy?">>

Thoughtercise: What foes/conditions/problems are you facing that seem insurmountable? What can you do to take the smallest action to give you an advantage?

<We never want to begin before we are ready, but when we begin before we are ready, we become ready.">>

What opportunities are you losing by over-planning, procrastinating, and delaying? What action can you take now?

Click here for our Disclaimers, Disclosures, Disavowals, And Declarations (aka - I told you so).