Military Entrepreneurship Manuals

Ok, this has taken me a while to figure out, but after more extensive research into military training and techniques, I have come to the conclusion that the DOD and the military machine knows more about entrepreneurship than they are letting on.

I was going through multiple field manuals, when I came across this in FM 22-100.

"Goal setting is a critical part of leadership, The ultimate goal is to ensure that every soldier and unit is properly trained, motivated, and prepared to win in war. Achieving this objective will normally require that you and your subordinates jointly establish and develop goals. When developing goals for your unit, remember several key points:

• Goals should be realistic and attainable.
• Goals should lead to improved combat readiness.
• Subordinates should be involved in the goalsetting process.
• You must develop a program to achieve each goal.

and another example;

"Planning is as essential for success in peacetime training as it is for combat operations. Planning is usually based on guidance or a mission you receive from your leader or higher headquarters. With this guidance or mission, you can start planning using the backward planning process. First determine what the end result of the training or combat operations must be; then work backward, step by step. If you use common sense and experience, this process will help you eliminate problems, organize time, and identify details. Backward planning is a skill, and like other skills, you can develop it with practice. "

Change a few words and you have a "How To Start Your Own Business" best seller.

As I dug deeper into each of the FMs, it became clear to me, that all military training is about entrepreneurship. From FM 1-112 Attack Helicopter Operations to FM 23-10 Sniper Training to Field Manual 100-11 - Force Integration, it's about entrepreneurship.

Wikipedia defines an entrepreneur as - " an enterprising individual who builds capital through risk and/or initiative"

Merriam-Webster: "one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise"

A common thread through all FMs is "initiative", "managing risk" and "leadership", the overwhelming attributes of good business.

So stop wasting your money on all those "How to" books and go back to the fundamentals of your training.

Remember, it's "Plan, Plan, and then do whatever it takes", also, there will be some "Hurry up and wait" in there, so plan for it.

Thank you for your service!!