Can the principles of General Mattis's 5-3-5s Tenets be used to find a balance within our divisive political environment?

2016-07-30T09:58:12-04:00

Our American political scene has always been full of "selfish ignorance" for their point of view without considering the "big picture" on our society as a whole. As the "Me /Now" society grows, the "enthusiasm of ignorance" has grown within the extreme elements of each political party who's negative intention is only to "manipulate" rather than communicate.
In 2003, General Mattis's formed a countermeasure for this type of behavior to best prepare individuals in a combat zone mission in Iraq (5-3-5 Tenets). We carried Tenets as pockets cards and used to as a guide us on a daily basis. How can we shape/re-word his principals to best prepare the "non-extremist" individuals of both parties to stand against our greatest intangible enemy on the Homefront, the "enthusiastic ignorance" of fellow Americans within our own individual circle of influence?

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2016 11:03 AM

2016-07-30T11:03:54-04:00

Personally, our divisive society makes it extremely difficult to apply any worthwhile philosophies to it. People, certain groups of people, refuse to accept any position other than their own. They will not listen to anything resembling common sense or reason. Often, I truly believe that these certain groups of people would rather see "Rome burn down all around them and 'kill everybody' " than to compromise one inch, one word, one second of time to achieve a mutually-met goal. When it comes to politics, nothing brings the worst out in people like politics.

The general's Tenets are an excellent premise that could most certainly be applied to the issue of political polarization. The question is, will it ever happen, and I believe the answer is an unequivocal no.

(But I am going to cut and paste it for myself. It's excellent.)

Response by SGT Damaso V Santana made Jul 30 at 2016 11:57 AM

2016-07-30T11:57:34-04:00

Amen Gunny, Amen!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2016 6:33 PM

2016-07-30T18:33:39-04:00

well, that's certainly better than most of the items the Army has had me carry with me...
St. Mattis is a rare breed.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2016 2:38 AM

2016-09-27T02:38:22-04:00

I'm trying to answer your question...if I'm off, let me know.
Most anything we've learned as how-tos can be translated into not just the political sphere, but the private side as well. Here's an example. Brilliance in the basics, basics being shoot, move, and communicate. Shoot: being able to do your job and do it well. Move: be able to move and adapt to your environment, tasks, and situations. Communicate: communicate.
To break down the 5-3-5:
Pre/Post Action
1) Pre-combat inspections/checks: Inspect what you expect, don't go into a situation empty handed or with your pants down, and ensure you have everything you'll need to combat the ignorance you speak of. People who use the mob and fear to manipulate won't be able to combat two things: truth and power. Without the proper backing and foundational knowledge to be able to do that, you won't be able to combat it.
2) Rehearsals: ever conduct public speaking critiques, or a mock-board to prepare someone for the real deal? Same thing applies here. Debate courses are a great way to learn to combat one's use of those type of methods.
3) Confirmation briefs: Go back to the critique portion of the rehearsals and hear what did and didn't go wrong. Learn from the bad points, strengthen the good. See whether or not those you were trying to represent are happy with your knowledge.
4) After-Actions Report: Self critique after the event. It has to be done. You'll see more faults than others will, otherwise, take a bite of that humble pie, look yourself in the mirror, and really take a look at what you said, not just what the other side was able to get across.
5) Debrief: Don't be afraid to publish where you did go wrong or better yet, what corrections you have to make. You'll look humble and wise in the process. Sticking with an erroneous statement will only serve to make you look like a fool.

Habits of Action:
1) Guardian Angel: Get others' backs. Ensure someone else has your six at the same time. If you're going to go to a battle of wits with those who manipulate others, you're likely not going into a 1-on-1, as sharpshooters can come way out of left field.
2) Geometry of Fire: Stay in your lane. Don't let a manipulator take you off into the deep end or off the highway into a pedantic zone or choke point. Keep and stick to your talking points.
3) Unity of Command: Like Guardian Angel, where people have each others backs, make sure you're all on the same page, and united in effort, otherwise the group can come apart.

Habits of Thought:
1) Sturdy Professionalism: Look good, don't get lost, and if you do get lost, look good. Don't detract from your image or your party's image by resorting to the same levels of manipulation by the willful ignorant.
2) Make yourself hard to kill: Don't get caught with your pants down, and don't make statements that you can't back up with facts.
3) No better friend, no worst enemy: This is kind of a convincing thing. The best way I can translate this is by making your goals, knowledge, and points your opponent's goals, or otherwise showing them that your points have merit. Otherwise, show them the complete fault of their ways by completely breaking down their statements and illuminating their manipulation.
4) First, do no harm: Do not resort to Ad Hominem. It detracts from the issue, detracts from your image, and detracts from those you represent. The issue is what's at stake here, not the person you're convincing or debating.
5) The Iraqi People are not our enemy, our enemy hides among them: The people are who you're trying to win, not just the debate or side. Without the people, there's no reason for any of this activity to begin with.