army studies Archives - EducationConnection

Military Problem Solving Process

Posted on July 9, 2024February 21, 2025 by Melanie Datu

To define the 7 steps of the Military Problem Solving Process. To describe some of the Road Blocks to problem solving

Click here to download the presentation.

MILITARY PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS

INSTRUCTOR CPT REINHARD

PURPOSE

To define the 7 steps of the Military Problem Solving Process

To describe some of the Road Blocks to problem solving

REFERENCES

FM 22-100 Army Leadership

FM 101-5 Staff Organization and Operations (Chapter 5)

OUTLINE

Problem Solving Steps

Practical Exercise

Road Blocks to Problem Solving

Summary

Conclusion

PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS

1. Recognize And Define The Problem

2. Gather Facts And Make Assumptions

3. Define End States And Establish Criteria

4. Develop Possible Solutions

5. Analyze And Compare Possible Solutions

6. Select And Implement Solution

7. Analyze Solution For Effectiveness

#1 WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

#2 FACTS & ASSUMPTIONS

Facts– Statements about the problem known to be true or there is positive proof.

Assumptions– Statement used to replace necessary but missing or unknown facts.

#3 DEFINE END STATE AND ESTABLISH CRITERIA

End States identify goals and objectives

Criteria

Selection- used to gather valid solution

Evaluation- used to compare solutions

#4 DEVELOP POSSIBLE
SOLUTIONS

Brain Storming

Mind Mapping

#5 ANALYZE AND COMPARE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

Use predetermined evaluation criteria

Go back to “Facts and Assumptions” or “Establish Criteria” if necessary

#6 SELECT AND IMPLEMENT THE BEST SOLUTION

Make the decision

Acceptable, Feasible, and Suitable

#7 ANALYZE SOLUTION FOR EFFECTIVENESS

May take time

AAR

If it works, pass it on!

PRACTICAL EXERCISE

PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS

1. Recognize And Define The Problem

2. Gather Facts And Make Assumptions

3. Define End States And Establish Criteria

4. Develop Possible Solutions

5. Analyze And Compare Possible Solutions

6. Select And Implement Solution

7. Analyze Solution For Effectiveness

ROAD BLOCKS TO
PROBLEM SOLVING

Fear Of Failure

Tunnel Vision

Over Seriousness

Over Certainty

Binding Customs

Fear Of The Unknown

Command Pressure

ROAD BLOCKS TO PROBLEM SOLVING (cont.)

FAILURE TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM

FAILURE TO TALK WITH OTHERS WHO HAVE DEALT WITH THE PROBLEM

LACK OF ADEQUATE INFORMATION TO MAKE VALID ASSUMPTIONS

NOT IDENTIFYING ALL OF THE PLAYERS

NOT SPECIFYING THE DESIRED ENDSTATE

SUMMARY

Problem Solving Steps

Practical Exercise

Road Blocks to Problem Solving

CONCLUSION

The goal is to have high-quality, acceptable decisions made in combat and training situations. The Military Problem Solving Process helps leaders face complex problems in situations where information might be limited.

How to Slit and Fold a Map for Special Use

Posted on July 9, 2024February 20, 2025 by Melanie Datu

Before attempting to cut and fold a map, make a practice cut and fold with a piece of paper

Apply adhesive to the back of the segments corresponding to A, F, L, and Q

Interpretation of Terrain Features

Posted on July 5, 2024March 11, 2025 by Melanie Datu

Terrain features do not normally stand a lone. To better understand these when they are depicted on a map, you need to interpret them. Terrain features are interpreted by using contour lines, the SOSES approach, ridgelining, or streamlining.

Using Contour Lines to Interpret Terrain

Contour lines are essential for understanding terrain features on a map. These lines connect points of equal elevation, helping to visualize the shape and elevation of the land. Closely spaced contour lines indicate steep terrain, while widely spaced lines suggest gentle slopes. By analyzing contour patterns, you can determine the presence of hills, valleys, ridges, and depressions.

Ridgelining and Streamlining for Better Terrain Analysis

Ridgelining and streamlining are two effective techniques for interpreting terrain. Ridgelining involves identifying the high ground by tracing the ridges on a map, while streamlining focuses on following watercourses to recognize valleys and low-lying areas. These methods help in navigation, route planning, and understanding elevation changes more effectively.

Identify Major / Minor Terrain Features

Posted on June 27, 2024February 24, 2025 by Melanie Datu

Hill, Ridge, Valley, Saddle, Depression, Draw, Spur and Cliff

Terrain features are identified in the same manner on all maps, regardless of the contour interval, but you must realize that a hill in the Rocky Mountains will be much bigger than one in south Florida. You must be able to recognize all the terrain features to locate a point on the ground or to navigate from one point to another.

The five major terrain features are: Hill, Ridge, Valley, Saddle, and Depression.
The three minor terrain features are: Draw, Spur and Cliff.

Terrain features can be learned using the fist or hand to show what each would look like on the ground.

Hill-a point or small area of high ground. When you are on a hilltop, the ground slopes down in all directions.

Ridge-a line of high ground with height variations along its crest. The ridge is not simply a line of hills; all points of the ridge crest are higher than the ground on both sides of the ridge.

Valley-reasonably level ground bordered on the sides by higher ground. A valley may or may not contain a stream course. A valley generally has maneuver room within its confines. Contour lines indicating a valley are U-shaped and tend to parallel a stream before crossing it. The course of the contour line crossing the stream always points upstream.

Saddle-a dip or low point along the crest of a ridge. A saddle is not necessarily the lower ground between two hilltops; it may be a break along an otherwise level ridge crest.

Depression-a low point or hole in the ground, surrounded on all sides by higher ground.

Identify Minor terrain features

Although these features are not as important as the major terrain features, navigators can plan routes more successfully if they can identify all the terrain features their routes will cross over.

Draw-similar to a valley, except that it normally is a less developed stream course in which there is generally no level ground and, therefore, little or no maneuver room. The ground slopes upward on each side and toward the head of the draw.

Draws are caused by flash floods and can be found on flat terrain but are more often found along the sides of ridges. Contour lines indicating a draw are shaped like a “V” with the point of the “V” toward the head of the draw (high ground).

Spur-a usually short, continuously sloping line of higher ground, normally jutting out from the side of a ridge. A spur is often formed by two thoroughly parallel streams cutting draws down the side of a ridge.

Cliff-a vertical or near-vertical slope. A cliff may be shown on a map by contour lines being close together, touching, or by a ticked “carrying” contour line. The ticks always point toward lower ground.

Position of Attention

Posted on June 26, 2024March 11, 2025 by Melanie Datu

Executing the Position of Attention

The position of attention is a fundamental stance in military discipline, signifying readiness and respect. Soldiers assume this position upon hearing the command FALL IN or Squad (platoon), ATTENTION. Proper execution ensures uniformity and discipline in formation.

Proper Foot and Body Alignment

To execute the position of attention correctly, bring your heels together sharply, ensuring they are on the same line. The toes should be angled outward at 45 degrees, distributing weight evenly on the heels and balls of both feet. Keep the legs straight, but avoid locking the knees. The hips should remain level, while the chest is lifted and squared with the shoulders. Maintaining this posture reinforces a soldier’s professional bearing and readiness.

Head and Arm Placement

Keeping the head erect and chin slightly drawn in, ensure your gaze is straight ahead. The alignment of the head and neck should remain vertical, promoting a sharp and disciplined posture. Let your arms hang naturally at your sides, with the fingers curled so the thumbs rest along the first joint of the forefingers. The thumbs should stay aligned with the seams of the trousers, ensuring a uniform and structured appearance.

a. Assume the position of attention on the command FALL IN or the command Squad (platoon), ATTENTION.

b. To assume this position, bring the heels together sharply on line, with the toes pointing out equally, forming an angle of 45 degrees. Rest the weight of the body evenly on the heels and balls of both feet. Keep the legs straight without locking the knees. Hold the body erect with the hips level, chest lifted and arched, and the shoulders square.

c. Keep the head erect and face straight to the front with the chin drawn in so that alignment of the head and neck is vertical.

d. Let the arms hang straight without stiffness. Curl the fingers so that the tips of the thumbs are alongside and touching the first joint of the forefingers. Keep the thumbs straight along the seams of the trouser leg with the first joint of the fingers touching the trousers.

Parade Rest

Posted on June 26, 2024February 25, 2025 by Melanie Datu

Parade rest is commanded only from the position of attention. The command for this movement is Parade, REST. On the command of execution REST, move the left foot about 10 inches to the left of the right foot. Keep the legs straight without locking the knees, resting the weight of the body equally on the heels and balls of the feet. Simultaneously, place the hands at the small of the back and centered on the belt. Keep the fingers of both hands extended and joined, interlocking the thumbs so that the palm of the right hand is outward. Keep the head and eyes as in the position of attention. Remain silent and do not move unless otherwise directed. Stand at ease, at ease, and rest may be executed from this position.

Grid Coordinates

Posted on June 21, 2024February 24, 2025 by Melanie Datu

Finding your location on a map using grid coordinates

The map has vertical lines (top to bottom) and horizontal lines (left to right). These lines form small squares 1,000 meters on each side called grid squares.

The lines that form grid squares are numbered along the outside edge of the map picture. No two grid squares have the same number.

The precision of a point location is shown by the number of digits in the coordinates: the more digits, the more precise the location.

1996-a 1,000 meter grid square.
192961-to the nearest 100 meters.
19269614-to the nearest 10 meters

Look at Figure 1. Your address is grid square 1181. How do you know this? Start from the left and read right until you come to 11, the first half of your address. Then read up to 81, the other half. Your address is somewhere in grid square 1181.

NOTE:
Always begin your reading from the southwest corner of your square.

Grid square 1181 gives your general neighborhood, but there is a lot of ground inside that grid square. To make your address more accurate, just add another number to the first half and another number to the second half-so your address has six numbers instead of four.

To get those extra numbers, pretend that each grid square has ten lines inside it running north and south, and another 10 running east and west. This makes 100 smaller squares. You can estimate where these imaginary lines are.

Suppose you are halfway between grid line 11 and grid line 12. Then the next number is 5 and the first half of your address is 115. Now suppose you are also 3/10 of the way between grid line 81 and grid line 82. Then the second half of your address is 813. (If you were exactly on line 81, the second part would be 810). Your address is 115813 (B, Figure 5 18).

The most accurate way to determine the coordinates of a point on a map is to use a coordinate scale. You do not have to use imaginary lines; you can find the exact coordinates using a Coordinate Scale and Protractor. This device has two coordinating scales, 1:25,000 meters and 1:50,000 meters. Make sure you use the correct scale.

First, locate the grid square in which the point (for example, Point A, Figure 2) is located (the point should already be plotted on the map).

The number of the vertical grid line on the left (west) side of the grid square is the first and second digits of the coordinates.

The number of the horizontal grid line on the bottom (south) side of the grid square is the fourth and fifth digits of the coordinates.

To determine the third and sixth digits of the coordinates, place the coordinate scale on the bottom horizontal grid line of the grid square containing Point A.

Check to see that the zeros of the coordinate scale are in the lower left hand (southwest) corner of the map grid square.

Slide the scale to the right, keeping the bottom of the scale on the bottom grid line until Point A is under the vertical (right hand) scale (Figures 3 and 4).

On the bottom scale, the 100 meter mark nearest the vertical grid line provides the third digit, 5. On the vertical scale, the 100 meter mark nearest Point A provides the sixth digit, 3. Therefore, the six-digit grid coordinate is 115813