Securing Dan Patan

Introduction

When applied correctly, mission command can provide a high degree of flexibility and creativity in the execution of military operations. When applied incorrectly, however, it can lead to confusion and chaos. Accordingly, it is important for commanders to carefully consider when and how to apply the seven principles of mission command in order to achieve the desired effect on the battlefield. The seven principles are: Competence, Mutual trust, Shared understanding, Commander's intent, Mission orders, Disciplined initiative and Risk acceptance. This paper will analyze and evaluate each principle with regard to Gaitleys (n.d.) Securing Dan Patan. In Securing Dan Patan: A US Infantry Squad's Counterinsurgency Program in an Afghan Village, Scott J. Gaitley provides an in-depth look at the US militarys efforts to secure the village of Dan Patan against Taliban insurgents. He focuses on the role of a small infantry squad in carrying out a counterinsurgency program that includes building rapport between American soldiers and their ALP counterparts. In short, Gaitley (n.d.) shows how US forces demonstrated the principles of mission command in securing Dan Patan from the threat posed by enemy insurgents. This paper will thus show that adhering to these seven principles is essential for any leader who wishes to be successful in mission command.

Competence

Competence refers to the ability of leaders to make sound decisions and carry out their orders effectively. Leaders must be knowledgeable and have the experience necessary to make informed decisions (Townsend et al., 2019). The US infantry squad demonstrated competence in securing Dan Patan village from insurgents by first identifying and then eliminating all threats in the area. One of the big threats, as Gaitley (n.d.) points out, was the lack of rapport among US soldiers and their Afghani counterparts in the fight against the Taliban. Being able to identify that threat and neutralize served as a major step forward in the mission.

Mutual Trust

Mutual trust is essential among leaders and subordinates in order to maintain effective communication and successful operations (Mission Command, 2019). As Gaitley (n.d.) notes, building relationships of rapport and trust with the Afghans was crucial for a successful shape phase and the final transformation to the transition phase with the VSO/ALP program (p. 141). One way the US squad built rapport was through taking measures to protect the villagers from potential harm, including providing them with medical...

…accept risks in order to achieve success. US infantry squad demonstrated risk acceptance in securing Dan Patan from insurgents by accepting the risk of interacting with and helping Afghan villagers. The soldiers knew that there was a risk that they could be killed or wounded or betrayed by villagers, but they decided that it was worth it in order to complete their mission and that risk could be minimized by showing good will to the villagers and establishing rapport (Gaitley, n.d.).

Risk is an inherent part of any mission. The key is to identify and assess the risks involved, and then to decide whether the potential rewards are worth the risk. Sometimes, the risks are simply too high and the mission must be aborted. Other times, the risks may be acceptable if they are offset by other factors, such as a well-developed plan or a high degree of training. In any case, accepting reasonable risk is essential to carrying out a successful mission. Without risk, there can be no reward. This mindset was evident in the US squads approach to working with the Afghan villagers and weighing the risk/reward scenario in winning the Afghan villagers over…