OODA Rethought

[William F. Owen]

I would say that we were inside their OODA loop because our quick decision making and appropriate actions meant that the enemy was deciding and acting an orientation that was based on observations that were no longer accurate.

So, you did something for which the enemy was unprepared, and even if they had been prepared, they failed to recognise the change in conditions. That IS the definition of "Surprise." Do we need the OODA to describe the utility of Surprise?

OK, let's assume we do. How would you apply that to trying create Surprise, as part of a Combat Estimate? I can't see a way it can be done, but my life would be a lot easier if someone could show me how!

IMHO, OODA is best left as a tactical level mental construct...

OK, so how do I then I apply it in a practical way?