Guiding Lessons
"Don't get treed by a chihuahua."
The road to joining the Delta Force was close for Pete. His test was to hike through the Appalachian Mountains with 70 pounds on his back. Not given the distance or how long he had to complete the test, but rumors were that the hike was about 40-50 miles and needed to be completed within 20 hours. As Pete was passing the 15th hour, his mind thought that he was looking at a bear so his first instinct is to run and as he noticed a cliff he jumped. After falling about a hundred feet, he took one glance up at the top of the cliff noticing something different. The bear was actually a pig. Pete's definition to this quote is to make decisions without context. Pete's mind lost the reality of the situation which led him to take shortcuts or patterns that weren't necessary. Getting treed is related to overreacting, under-reacting, and not doing anything. The importance of the quote was that by not realizing the situation almost didn't let him join the Delta Force.
The road to joining the Delta Force was close for Pete. His test was to hike through the Appalachian Mountains with 70 pounds on his back. Not given the distance or how long he had to complete the test, but rumors were that the hike was about 40-50 miles and needed to be completed within 20 hours. As Pete was passing the 15th hour, his mind thought that he was looking at a bear so his first instinct is to run and as he noticed a cliff he jumped. After falling about a hundred feet, he took one glance up at the top of the cliff noticing something different. The bear was actually a pig. Pete's definition to this quote is to make decisions without context. Pete's mind lost the reality of the situation which led him to take shortcuts or patterns that weren't necessary. Getting treed is related to overreacting, under-reacting, and not doing anything. The importance of the quote was that by not realizing the situation almost didn't let him join the Delta Force.
"Imagine the unimaginable, humor your imagination."
At the start of a new mission, the force is attempting to capture one of the most notorious war criminals on the UN's most-wanted list, Osama Bin Ladin (UBL). Pete's job is to collect any information on the environment and around the road that UBL will be traveling. They filmed the road in every possible angle so nothing could be hidden. The team gets together to try and figure out a concept to achieve surprise. One member thought to create an accident or woman looking for help, but they thought the criminal wouldn't bother to slow down. Then someone thought of a gorilla suit. The team almost considered using a gorilla suit to capture UBL. The imagination that the team thought of was crazy, but brought the humor out to everyone. Pete believes that imagination created the evolution of man to dominate the planet to keep ourselves from extinction. Mankind found the ability to use fire, water, and wood by imagining. The side that usually wins the battle is the one that can out-smart and out-imagine the enemy as history has proven. The importance from this quote is that imagination drives the road to success. The imagination could then be turned into reality which can end in victory.
At the start of a new mission, the force is attempting to capture one of the most notorious war criminals on the UN's most-wanted list, Osama Bin Ladin (UBL). Pete's job is to collect any information on the environment and around the road that UBL will be traveling. They filmed the road in every possible angle so nothing could be hidden. The team gets together to try and figure out a concept to achieve surprise. One member thought to create an accident or woman looking for help, but they thought the criminal wouldn't bother to slow down. Then someone thought of a gorilla suit. The team almost considered using a gorilla suit to capture UBL. The imagination that the team thought of was crazy, but brought the humor out to everyone. Pete believes that imagination created the evolution of man to dominate the planet to keep ourselves from extinction. Mankind found the ability to use fire, water, and wood by imagining. The side that usually wins the battle is the one that can out-smart and out-imagine the enemy as history has proven. The importance from this quote is that imagination drives the road to success. The imagination could then be turned into reality which can end in victory.
"When in doubt, develop the situation."
In any type of situation, common sense should be used. Taking time and using our minds build context to recognize patterns, discover options, and master the future. For every situation Pete encounters, he develops how it should result. When discovering new information, there has to be a new way to find it instead of an old traditional procedure. There are a few advantages when developing the situation. Innovation to new options instead of using the default status. Adaptation for the freedom of choice and flexibility to adapt instead of avoid. Audacity to seize opportunities instead of neglecting them. The importance to this quote is to discover new possibilities and find different strategies when we encounter a unique situation. Just like when Pete, was the leader of his siblings. He developed the situation.
In any type of situation, common sense should be used. Taking time and using our minds build context to recognize patterns, discover options, and master the future. For every situation Pete encounters, he develops how it should result. When discovering new information, there has to be a new way to find it instead of an old traditional procedure. There are a few advantages when developing the situation. Innovation to new options instead of using the default status. Adaptation for the freedom of choice and flexibility to adapt instead of avoid. Audacity to seize opportunities instead of neglecting them. The importance to this quote is to discover new possibilities and find different strategies when we encounter a unique situation. Just like when Pete, was the leader of his siblings. He developed the situation.
"Always listen to the guy on the ground."
Preparing for the mission to capture UBL, the team practice adapting to the rough environment that they will face. They search for mountain wilderness areas to train in similar environment. The one they find is the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area in Montana. They researched the land and prepared for the journey. The training was about 60 miles with harsh conditions like snow and steep hills without any trails. The team is split up into separate groups and each are required to take different paths. As Pete's group passes the 9th hour, they find a strange cabin. Inside there was a woman who was the forest ranger. She told the men everything that they didn't know about the mountain. The purpose of this quote is to always listen to the people that are living the environment. "Guy on the ground" is a metaphor for the people that are interacting with the environment. The team spent lots of time preparing from research in the history, the terrain, and the weather patterns. But where they got the most information is from the ranger. To make the best decisions is to have context and to receive that knowledge is from listening to the guy on the ground.
Preparing for the mission to capture UBL, the team practice adapting to the rough environment that they will face. They search for mountain wilderness areas to train in similar environment. The one they find is the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area in Montana. They researched the land and prepared for the journey. The training was about 60 miles with harsh conditions like snow and steep hills without any trails. The team is split up into separate groups and each are required to take different paths. As Pete's group passes the 9th hour, they find a strange cabin. Inside there was a woman who was the forest ranger. She told the men everything that they didn't know about the mountain. The purpose of this quote is to always listen to the people that are living the environment. "Guy on the ground" is a metaphor for the people that are interacting with the environment. The team spent lots of time preparing from research in the history, the terrain, and the weather patterns. But where they got the most information is from the ranger. To make the best decisions is to have context and to receive that knowledge is from listening to the guy on the ground.
"It's not reality unless it's shared."
During the battle of Operation Anaconda, Pete's job is to lead the Advanced Forces Operation team (AFO). He controlled three teams to secure the area and send the enemy in the other direction. At the start of the battle, the AFO teams were up against about 450 people while they only had 13. While the teams were in combat, the deputy commanding general (DCG) suggested that Pete should back out and let the SEAL team take over. The DCG then switched the route of the helicopter to land on top of the Takur Ghar Mountain at the last 30 minutes. Attempting to land on the mountain, the enemy catches them by firing a RPG at the helicopter. One man fell out of the helicopter on the mountain. Fortunately, alive and rescued out of the war zone. Pete was informed that there has been a different commander the whole time. He wasn't updated on the current situation which gave a different reality to him. The reason for this quote is that no matter how intelligent someone can be, bad decisions can be made when information is not shared. This idea is to operate thoughts and decisions specifically to organize, communicate with, and leading an organization. All of the lessons above would not function if everyone was not on the same page. This is what led for the Operation to collapse.
During the battle of Operation Anaconda, Pete's job is to lead the Advanced Forces Operation team (AFO). He controlled three teams to secure the area and send the enemy in the other direction. At the start of the battle, the AFO teams were up against about 450 people while they only had 13. While the teams were in combat, the deputy commanding general (DCG) suggested that Pete should back out and let the SEAL team take over. The DCG then switched the route of the helicopter to land on top of the Takur Ghar Mountain at the last 30 minutes. Attempting to land on the mountain, the enemy catches them by firing a RPG at the helicopter. One man fell out of the helicopter on the mountain. Fortunately, alive and rescued out of the war zone. Pete was informed that there has been a different commander the whole time. He wasn't updated on the current situation which gave a different reality to him. The reason for this quote is that no matter how intelligent someone can be, bad decisions can be made when information is not shared. This idea is to operate thoughts and decisions specifically to organize, communicate with, and leading an organization. All of the lessons above would not function if everyone was not on the same page. This is what led for the Operation to collapse.
"The mission, the men, and me."
Back in 1985 when Pete was the new second lieutenant, his commander called Pete into his office. He was asked about the 3Ms which he was unfamiliar with. It stood for the mission, the men, and me. They all connect from first to last so when one is lost, all three are screwed. The mission is what your aiming for, the goal. This is what guides every decision. The mission is always on top. The men are the next important piece. Taking care for their welfare and to show courage to them are what officers must do to guide men. By listening to their tactics and techniques and to make good decisions for them are ways to take care of the men and to accomplish the mission. The last piece is me which comes last, but is still important. Everyone should take care of themselves at some point, but only after the mission and the men are taken care of. Personal issues should not be put over the goal and others. The purpose for this quote is that by recognizing the importance of what should be first can lead to smart decisions. This is the most used lesson that Pete has worked with throughout his military career. When he had a split-second to refocus his decisions, he always made sure that the mission would be successful, kept his men safe, and then organizing his own thoughts. Using this lesson, Pete found new principles as he went through each mission like the ones above. I believe this is the most important lesson out of them all because this drove Pete's decisions which made him think more clearly to recognize all the patterns. This quote directed the book.
Back in 1985 when Pete was the new second lieutenant, his commander called Pete into his office. He was asked about the 3Ms which he was unfamiliar with. It stood for the mission, the men, and me. They all connect from first to last so when one is lost, all three are screwed. The mission is what your aiming for, the goal. This is what guides every decision. The mission is always on top. The men are the next important piece. Taking care for their welfare and to show courage to them are what officers must do to guide men. By listening to their tactics and techniques and to make good decisions for them are ways to take care of the men and to accomplish the mission. The last piece is me which comes last, but is still important. Everyone should take care of themselves at some point, but only after the mission and the men are taken care of. Personal issues should not be put over the goal and others. The purpose for this quote is that by recognizing the importance of what should be first can lead to smart decisions. This is the most used lesson that Pete has worked with throughout his military career. When he had a split-second to refocus his decisions, he always made sure that the mission would be successful, kept his men safe, and then organizing his own thoughts. Using this lesson, Pete found new principles as he went through each mission like the ones above. I believe this is the most important lesson out of them all because this drove Pete's decisions which made him think more clearly to recognize all the patterns. This quote directed the book.