by Andy Weddington
Friday, 25 August 2017
If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor. Eleanor Roosevelt
Retired U. S. Air Force Lieutenant General and former Director, National Intelligence, James Clapper (who lied under oath to Congress) recently publicly questioned President Trump's mental competency for his duties as President.
Where to start?
First, why has Clapper not been held accountable for his lying?
And why should anyone put any trust in anything he says?
That aside, he's not first to question President Trump's stability.
Some (political) enemies, for lack of any substance, charge he's plain crazy.
They're groping. For anything. To remove him from office.
A pathetic lot of sore losers, really.
But I see President Trump differently.
I view him through the lens of my military education, training, and practical experience following and leading Marines. And common sense.
Specifically, one Principle of War keeps coming to mind: Surprise.
Surprise is one of nine principles remembered by the acronym MOOSE MUSS (see Post Script).
Surprise needs not explanation.
In warfighting (of which politics and being President and successful in big business surely is) the element of surprise is crucial.
Surprise.
The Japanese surprised the United States at Pearl Harbor.
The United States surprised the Japanese at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Surprise includes deception.
Surprise by its (very) nature means, at least to some degree, being unpredictable.
Thus, through surprise an enemy can be exploited. Absolute defeat possible (check the warfare history books).
Look at things as you will but life - from neighborhood to any land - is a war.
President Trump leads "a" if not "the" world's top power and commands the world's foremost military power (at least for the time being).
Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States
(original artwork by the author)
Logically, why would our President not integrate surprise into his OODA (Orient; Observe; Decide; Act - thank you Colonel John Boyd, U. S. Air Force) Loop?
Would the absence of surprise not be dereliction?
And what about Twitter? And President Trump's use thereof?
Is he not simply exploiting another weapon at his disposal?
Would he not be deemed incompetent if not taking advantage of that tool - as a political weapon? As a weapon of warfare?
Frankly, it seems to me all those attacking President Trump and calling into question his mental stability are the dangerous ones.
It is they who should be subjected to psychological evaluation to determine fitness to be in charge of anything.
President Trump's unpredictability makes him a force - unlike anything America and the world has seen (from America) in a long time.
And that is a good thing.
The counter to our President's enemies is might President Trump's genius be being fully aware of and exploiting surprise?
If (my restful) sleep is any measure of effectiveness, indeed.
He does a pretty darn good job of employing the other eight Principle of War, too.
Prediction: President Trump will continue to be unpredictable. And that just may prove to be the strongest aspect of our national security.
Surprise!
Post Script
Maneuver; Objective; Offensive; Surprise; Economy of Force; Mass; Unity of Command; Security; Simplicity
Posts
2 comments:
Oh Dear, Andy, you just rekindled some brain cells I thought were dead. Your memory is amazing. OODA Loop and MOOSE MUSS were so far back in my Brain Housing Group, I had to think hard to recall the meaning of the acronyms. Thank you. And yes, surprise is the key. Why would any POTUS provide the enemy with dates for anything, withdraw, buildup, etc. Unless, of course, he wants to warn brothers and sisters. OMG What a mess President Trump accepted, but note that unlike his predecessor who blamed Bush for everything all the way to the end of his time in office, Trump rarely does the same. That's called being a gentleman and taking responsibility, commanding, and leading.
Colonel Bathurst. Just as when you were my Battalion Commander, you are right on point. I will never forget the lessons you taught 2/6 about leading, commanding, and winning. Just like yesterday although 30 years ago! Semper Fi, Dave
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