Operating inside the Attacker: Part Four/ OODA Components (Decide)

Author: Odhinn Kohout

DECISION HYPOTHESIS;

Boyd’s own diagram provides a pathway (feedback) between this component of the OODA loop and “his initial category entitled “observations.”

IMPLICIT GUIDANCE & CONTROL acts as a sort of aggregator in that it is the culmination of information (intel,/synthesis) from multiple sources including training… PRIOR to “the act.”

Let’s look at ONE possible example of this in a high risk setting.

An Assaulter, seconds before an actual door-kick and flashbang knows that the hostage and armed bad-guys are in there. Let’s establish this fact as a certainty before we go further and keep in mind we are NOT talking about specific tactics regarding room clearing. This is about the cognitive processes of the Soldier.

He (the Soldier) does not know the configuration of the players involved I.E. Is an Attacker using the Hostage as a shield? But has prepared for such an event many times in training.

To move faster through the loop than the Attacker the Assaulter will need to have both speed and aggression fully integrated with shot placement/accuracy which refers to Boyd’s implicit guidance and control terminology. What is a good sight picture if not “implicit guidance?”

The Assaulter must account for all his shots as to not endanger the life of the Hostage. The Attackers do not have to abide by this rule but…this fact also works against the Attacker and compresses valuable time slowing down their ability to react in the “Decide” aspect of the OODA loop.

Why?

Upon entering the room the Assaulter’s cognitive process enters familiar territory due to high repetition muscle memory and stress inoculation developed during reality based training scenarios. He acquires his targets fluidly moving him faster through the loop, this at the same time as his Attackers try to control their stress and fear as they feel their bodies being struck by well-placed rounds.

Let’s take this one step futher…

In work up training to this operation the Assaulters made shot accuracy a priority. Regardless of how dynamic the room entries were, each Soldier had to account for every round that he fired in practice. This was not merely pointing the firearm for approximation but having a good sight picture just prior to pulling the trigger.

The Hostage takers did nothing to prepare for the event and relied on intimidation and a false sense of security that all their demands would be met. They were wrong…

The “Decide” aspect of Boyd’s loop goes much further then self-assuredness and the ability to make a decision. The key is making the correct decision based on a culmination of Boyd's well thought out principles.

Be safe Guys!