LP/OP #4

Welcome back to the LP/OP, friend.

This newsletter shares insights from the highly pragmatic military methodologies learned throughout my nearly 20 years spent as a professional in the military and private sector.

We do so briefly, clearly, and concisely with respect for your time.

Every week we cover new…

• Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs)

• Inspirational Exemplars

Tactic: Enfilade Fire

Enfilade fire is achieved by positioning forces so that fire can be directed along the longest possible axis of an enemy formation, increasing the effectiveness of the attack by hitting the target along its most vulnerable line.

In business, a Total Addressable Market (TAM) refers to the total market demand for a product or service, calculated in annual revenue. Analogous to enfilade fire, where the effectiveness is maximized by aligning fire with the longest dimension of the target, a business maximizes its potential by aligning its products or services with the largest and most comprehensive segments of the market. This approach ensures that your enterprise’s efforts are optimally positioned to sweep through the market, capturing the maximum possible demand and revenue, much like enfilade fire seeks to maximize damage by taking the most advantageous position.

Just as enfilade fire requires understanding the terrain and enemy positioning, calculating TAM requires thorough market research and understanding of customer demographics, needs, and potential market size.

In personal development, this means setting and pursuing goals that align with one's core values and long-term objectives. This strategic focus ensures that your efforts are balanced to spread yourself appropriately across some of the most prevalent domains of life.

• Health

• Wealth

• Relationships

• Purpose

You must also manage your time and energy wisely, investing in activities that yield high returns in personal and professional growth.

Tactical awareness and adaptability are crucial, as battlefield and life conditions often change. Principles of enfilade fire can be applied across all domains to achieve a strategic, resourceful, and adaptable approach to achieving your goals.

Fire for effect.

Technique: Forced Displacement

Forced Displacement is used to maneuver the enemy into unfavorable positions by applying pressure or creating conditions that compel them to move.

This can be achieved through direct action or more subtle manipulation of the environment.

In business, Forced Displacement can translate into strategies that push competitors into less favorable market positions. This might involve innovation that disrupts the market, altering consumer preferences, or strategic partnerships that reshape the competitive landscape, forcing rivals to adapt under less advantageous conditions.

Personally, Forced Displacement can be applied in problem-solving by changing the conditions that sustain a problem. For instance, altering routines or the physical environment can displace habits or behaviors that may have become counterproductive, leading to more favorable outcomes.

When stuck on a particular problem, go for a walk or detach from it somehow and the answer is more likely to come to you.

This is also known as the Incubation Effect.

Procedure: Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drill

ROC Drills are used by the military to confirm that all elements participating in an operation are synchronized and fully understand their roles and the intentions of the operation.

These drills often involve the use of sand tables, maps, or digital simulations to visualize the operation and walk through each step.

In a business context, ROC Drills can be adapted to prepare for major projects, product launches, or any significant strategic initiative. Teams can use these drills to role-play different scenarios and outcomes, ensuring every team member understands their tasks and how they fit into the larger plan.

Of course, a company like Apple™ has taken this to the next level as depicted from one of their most recent product launches titled, “Scary Fast”.  

People use ROC Drills every day; they just don’t attach military lingo to it. People plan significant life events such as weddings, moves, or large purchases - to varying degrees of success. Simply identifying you are doing a rehearsal helps in organization.

By mapping out each step and role, individuals can ensure that all aspects are considered and managed, reducing the likelihood of unforeseen issues.

Plan and prevail.

Inspiration: Lieutenant Colonel William D. Swenson

LT COL Swenson, a Captain at the time of the Battle of Ganjgal in Afghanistan, was serving with the 10th Mountain Division when this significant engagement took place in 2009.

Exemplifying leadership during the battle, Captain Swenson strategically positioned his Soldiers to maximize the effectiveness of enfilade fire against insurgent positions. By overcoming terrain disadvantages and coordinating fields of fire, Swenson sought to suppress enemy fighters to gain tactical advantage.

During the intense combat of the Battle of Ganjgal, Captain Swenson orchestrated tactical movements and maneuvers to displace enemy forces and seize key terrain features. Despite facing heavy resistance and casualties, Swenson's decisive actions allowed his unit to gain momentum and press forward against determined Taliban opposition.

Prior to the mission and what would be the lead-up to the battle, it is certain Captain Swenson and his fellow leaders conducted thorough briefings and rehearsals, ensuring every Soldier understood their roles and responsibilities. Through meticulous planning and preparation, Swenson reinforced his unit and facilitated effective coordination on the battlefield.

The battle lasted approximately seven hours with intense firefights. When the engagement concluded, 15 coalition deaths were suffered including four U.S. service members. Swenson’s actions along with his team’s are believed to have saved at least a dozen lives.

Swenson was awarded the Medal of Honor on October 15, 2013.

Outbrief

In this edition of the LP/OP newsletter, we covered a range of tactical and strategic insights, inspirational stories, and real-world examples.

Key takeaways:

Fire for effect with enfilade fire when feasible. Ultimately, you want maximum coverage applied to maximum the maximum area to achieve optimal results in any endeavor.

Force your advantage with Forced Displacement. Dominate all terrain and domains you operate in. Adapt first, forcing your opponent(s) to adapt in ways they do not want to. By displacing them, they are at a disadvantage, not you.

Conduct ROC drills, synchronize the operations and effective execution of your life. Be prepared so you can be bold like Captain Swenson.

Do not wait for the leadership void to be filled - you fill it!

That’s this week’s brief.

Thank you genuinely for reading and see you next week.

— Ryan “DQ” DeQuiroz —