Useful

**Stonker** · 12-01-2012, 21:52

Originally Posted by alfred_the_great

I've also been briefed by Cdr Steve, which led to me buying the book. I'm also in an Influence post, hence a professional interest!

Well, I dunno how it goes in your part of the Forces, but you might want to take heed.

From that piece Iinked above, re. MacKay's views on the MoD:

He warns that anyone who attempts to pursue “soft power” in the Army is effectively writing the death knell for their careers.

**alfred_the_great** · 12-01-2012, 22:16

I'm young enough, and thoroughly unimportant enough, that it doesn't really matter. And it's also a tertiary job, because god forbid we'd want to complete the third "leg" of Joint Action with a full time Officer......

**Mediaeval** · 12-01-2012, 22:48

Not sure if it is in the preamble to his book, but with reference to the debate on graduates, Mackay was not (as I recall) a graduate. He joined the Army in his mid 20's having served for several years (and been decorated) as a Hong-Kong policeman. That may be instructive in itself...

M

**smallbrownprivates** · 12-01-2012, 22:52

Originally Posted by alfred_the_great

I'm young enough, and thoroughly unimportant enough, that it doesn't really matter. And it's also a tertiary job, because god forbid we'd want to complete the third "leg" of Joint Action with a full time Officer......

Following up a though from that comment, could all those following this thread please follow this link Behavioural Conflict - Mackay & Tatham -Who is interested in Influence? vote on the poll and add any qualifiers you feel might be of interest

**stabtoreg** · 12-01-2012, 23:07

Originally Posted by Mediaeval

Not sure if it is in the preamble to his book, but with reference to the debate on graduates, Mackay was not (as I recall) a graduate. He joined the Army in his mid 20's having served for several years (and been decorated) as a Hong-Kong policeman. That may be instructive in itself...

M

Why?

**smallbrownprivates** · 12-01-2012, 23:12

Originally Posted by stabtoreg

Why?

You're the bloke with 2 degrees, you work it out.

**stabtoreg** · 12-01-2012, 23:16

Originally Posted by smallbrownprivates

You're the bloke with 2 degrees, you work it out.

Well Chippy, it seems to me that someone has taken a piece of data and then attempted to make a theory out of it.

**Bubbles_Barker** · 12-01-2012, 23:22

I think we can safely say that the enemy aren't having these navel gazing sessions, certainly not online. How about we just concentrate on killing them?

And keep on doing so until we bale out in 2015. Any other real alternatives?

**Stonker** · 12-01-2012, 23:22

Originally Posted by Mediaeval

Not sure if it is in the preamble to his book, but with reference to the debate on graduates, Mackay was not (as I recall) a graduate. He joined the Army in his mid 20's having served for several years (and been decorated) as a Hong-Kong policeman. That may be instructive in itself...

M

Originally Posted by stabtoreg

Why?

Originally Posted by smallbrownprivates

You're the bloke with 2 degrees, you work it out.

Well, it would certainly reinforce my line: that rigorous and original thought are by no means the sole preserve of the graduate. A man with no imagination is a man with no imagination, however many scrolls he may have on his study wall.

**Stonker** · 12-01-2012, 23:30

Originally Posted by Bubbles_Barker

I think we can safely say that the enemy aren't having these navel gazing sessions, certainly not online. How about we just concentrate on killing them?

And keep on doing so until we bale out in 2015. Any other real alternatives?

Not in this instance.

But there will inevitably be a 'next time'.

Be nice if, just once, the Firm actually learned something, instead of just burying the dead and walking away having gained fuck all from the loss.