I have been meaning to write this for a long time.
I have never severed in the armed forces, but once worked as a civilian Federal Firefighter at a military base. During that time, I once heard a former Marine, now Firefighter say some important words to me. I took note of this phrase and put it away in my "bag of tricks".
Later on, I have watched the movie Crimsom Tide several times and heard Captain Ramsey of the USS Alambama state that exact same phrase atleast twice during the movie as he spoke to his team of Officers.
Finally those simple words- "Keep your people informed" or "Keep your troops informed".
WHAT?!?! Thats so basic and easy. Yes, but look at a cross section of your new and old salt Fire Officers. They are so busy on the phone, computer, making plans, setting up the day, reports, getting that divorce, part-time job, etc. that they sometimes forget to simply keep their people informed of the plan or task at hand.
Application- Me as a Fire Officer, I have stuck with this platform and found it works better than you might think. I have observed my subordinates act and function more confident being "in the loop". They've asked less questions about operations and feel more like part of the overall success of the plan or day.
Non-Application- Me being a lonely Firefighter on a major Southern California wildland fire with a micro-managing Fire Captain who wont share any information just makes me more frustrated and ****ed off. I have no idea where we are going, who we are working for or what our next move is. (This should sound familiar if you know the 10 Stanard Fire Orders and 18 Situations)
Does this mean "spill the beans" on everything and everyone? No. Just keeping your people informed on the plan of the day or mode of attack.
Hope this helps someone out.
-Bou
I have never severed in the armed forces, but once worked as a civilian Federal Firefighter at a military base. During that time, I once heard a former Marine, now Firefighter say some important words to me. I took note of this phrase and put it away in my "bag of tricks".
Later on, I have watched the movie Crimsom Tide several times and heard Captain Ramsey of the USS Alambama state that exact same phrase atleast twice during the movie as he spoke to his team of Officers.
Finally those simple words- "Keep your people informed" or "Keep your troops informed".
WHAT?!?! Thats so basic and easy. Yes, but look at a cross section of your new and old salt Fire Officers. They are so busy on the phone, computer, making plans, setting up the day, reports, getting that divorce, part-time job, etc. that they sometimes forget to simply keep their people informed of the plan or task at hand.
Application- Me as a Fire Officer, I have stuck with this platform and found it works better than you might think. I have observed my subordinates act and function more confident being "in the loop". They've asked less questions about operations and feel more like part of the overall success of the plan or day.
Non-Application- Me being a lonely Firefighter on a major Southern California wildland fire with a micro-managing Fire Captain who wont share any information just makes me more frustrated and ****ed off. I have no idea where we are going, who we are working for or what our next move is. (This should sound familiar if you know the 10 Stanard Fire Orders and 18 Situations)
Does this mean "spill the beans" on everything and everyone? No. Just keeping your people informed on the plan of the day or mode of attack.
Hope this helps someone out.
-Bou
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