Here’s another attribute that should really prove my point once and for all. War is inherently disordered. With all the friction, fog, and fluidity of combat how can it not be? Now face it, is your life really any different?

MCDP 1 states “each encounter in war will usually tend to grow increasingly disordered over time.” I’ll just make the bold prediction right now that encounters in your life behave much the same way. Ever try to conduct a birthday party for a bunch of screaming six year olds? Then you know what I mean.

If you like to live your life in a nice, neat box that never gets cluttered or askew and you’re putting a lot of time and effort into maintaining that box then you could save a lot of headaches by accepting disorder and thriving on it just like Marines do. Now you may say that there’s not a more buttoned down and organized bunch than the Marines and you’d generally be right. However, it’s been my experience that when plans go pear shaped the Marines continue on with the mission any way they can. Conversely, certain other branches of the military which shall remain nameless (because I’m basically talking about all of them) go spastic when the plan doesn’t come together. If that’s your primary reaction, change your ways.

Marines may get overly exercised about proper haircuts, clean barracks, and ribbon placements on their uniforms but when it comes to war we know what we’re doing. Follow our lead and get ready for disorder. How? Simple plans, clear prior communication, devolved decision making authority, and well rehearsed immediate actions. These are some of our tricks of the trade that get us through the difficult times. Most of all, we have an uncanny focus on the mission, the end goal, that allows us to act independently when it really counts. At the end of the day, all that matters is to take the objective and put out your cigarettes in the blood of your enemies.

Is your life really any different?