In this episode, we discuss:
-Wyly’s thought on professional military education (PME)
-What a profession is
-The obligation for professionals to study their profession
-Can a private be a professional?
-The value of the Socratic method
-How Wyly got into PME, maneuver warfare, and military reform
-The benefits of reading
-The value of PME as a means to get into the mind of past commanders
-The role of formal schools in PME
-History as a basis for decision-making exercises
-The role of humility in PME and leadership
-Wyly’s thoughts on self-study
-The unsung role and contributions of Lieutenant General Bernard Trainor with respect to PME and maneuver warfare
-The similarities between Trainor and General Al Gray
-How Wyly was introduced to Al Gray
-How Wyly discovered decision games
-How he facilitated decision games
-Wyly on taking his AWS students to the field for tactical exercises without troops
-The reaction of students who were experiencing decision games for the first time
-School solutions
-The lack of emphasis on decision-making during Wyly’s time as a young officer
-Wyly’s company commander tour in Vietnam
-The trouble with the term “maneuver warfare”
-The misconception that maneuver warfare avoids fighting
-Wyly’s role in the maneuver warfare movement
-Wyly’s relationship with Colonel John Boyd
-What maneuver warfare looks like in garrison
-The need for risk-takers
Links
“MARINES HAVE THE LAST WORD ON ONE WHO DID IT HIS WAY” by David Evans: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-04-12-9102020610-story.html
“Doctrinal Change: The Move To Maneuver Theory” by Colonel Mike Wyly: https://mca-marines.org/gazette/doctrinal-change-the-move-to-maneuver-theory/
“At the Forefront of Tactical Thought” by Colonel Mike Wyly: https://mca-marines.org/gazette/at-the-forefront-of-tactical-thought/
