Here are some of my solutions or if I were asked by the Secretary of Defense Gates, “Don, how should I follow up what I said about Boyd at Maxwell AFB by finding, developing and nurturing the mavericks?”
I would reply with “Sir, my recommendation is in order to create and sustain the type of environment required to support adaptive leaders,
1. Form a task force composed of such people despite the fact that their careers may not appear to be “fast tracked” as reflected in their official files.
a. The TF advises and recommends to the Secretary of Defense on the necessary cultural changes to support the 21st Century Military, such as a personnel reform bill similiar to what Goldwater-Nichols did for jointness. The personnel reform bill could be the Defense Officer Personnel Management Act of 2010 (DOPMA 2010)(more on this later or just go to www.d-n-i.net and see my briefing The Revolution in Human Affairs under “People”)
b. Continues to search for examples of adaptability and innovation
2. Publically praise and award signs of adaptability and innovators
3. Take these people and make them instructors at ROTC and the Military Academies
I must again stress that just praising Boyd publically in the audience was a sign of moral courage, and I applaud the Secretary of Defense for doing that. I am simply looking at how to continue the momentum of his talk and emphasis to the officer corps of being more like Boyd.
COL John Boyd undoubtedly with all that he had to offer was heard but not listened to. There exits a state of career fear that permeates throughout the USA officer corps where they will do nothing that is bold, unusual nor unconventional. Even USA SF has adopted this stratagem as their hallmark. Depressing as it is, the risk aversion paralysis that is ever-present restricts creative thinking from company grade officers who are THE fight in both Iraq and Afghanistan. I have determined that now our military like our society is now ruled by attorneys and we are no longer free to act because of the “potential” of harmful outcome. I think that is Chairman Boyd witnessed the current state of the military he would develop a strategy able to get our heads our of our ‘forth point of contact’.
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