The Requirement for an Abbreviated Military Decision-Making Process in Doctrine

This study investigates the necessity of an abbreviated military decision-making process for battalion and brigade commanders and their staffs. It examines the problem that during time critical situations commanders and staffs abbreviate the decision-making process and frequently deviate from the doctrinal method. The study researches doctrinal and nondoctrinal publications to determine if an abbreviated process exists and compares the doctrinal process to unit performance at the National Training Center. It identifies that doctrine for decision-making is not standardized, with different methods described depending on the field manual. The study identifies the steps of the military decision-making process that are omitted or poorly conducted and provides techniques to solve the problem. It then promotes the use of the military decision-making process, even during time critical situation by abbreviating the process with techniques to speed the process. Military decision-making process, Abbreviated decision making, Course of action, Wargaming.