Quote Originally Posted by Ken White View Post
Not least because I've seen too many demonstrate they can do analysis -- and embarrass a senior soul or two in the process. You didn't even mention that if you don't start 'em out properly, they will not perform well later when they will be expected by everyone to think and do a decent job.

If we do not break this "Joe isn't paid to think..." mentality then Joe will continue to try to avoid thinking to the maximum possible extent; most currently see it as part of their job description.

OTOH, if you demand that Joe think, he will -- and we'll ALL be better off and perhaps Officers and NCOs can start spending less than 90% of their time on 10% of their people -- while ignoring the others to raise themselves. That 'lowly enlisted swine' attitude possessed by a few has done the US Army no favors...
Concur 120%.

Gaps in training are usually gaps between ears. Not that training is perfect by any means but if one fails to think the best training in the world serves little purpose.

The sooner entry analysts learn that process is merely a framework to assist in developing analytical skills rather than a road map to analytical nirvana, the better off they and we will be.

the same thing applies to checklists: they are guides to prompt memory recall. If you don't know it, a checklist won't do anything but add structure to ignorance.

Best
Tom