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Building a combat mindset

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Alejandro Barin
  • 609th Air Communications Squadron first sergeant
The Air Force’s role as we knew it a decade ago has drastically changed. The tragic events of Sept.11 pushed our nation to combat terrorism at home and abroad. At the same time, the U.S. military services have experienced downsizing. 

The Air Force has found itself tasked to greater extent with members being exposed closer to combat since the Vietnam War. For this reason, it is important to instill a combat mindset in our Airmen today. 

I believe we adequately prepare our troops to physically fight in war. We train them in the unique contingency roles they have to perform. The Air Force recognized the need for a “Fit to Fight” force and has made steps to improve physical fitness. However, we also need to prepare our Airmen for exposure to combat. 

My prior career as a combat arms instructor in the Air Force gave me the opportunity to train with our sister services and agencies such as the FBI and various state police tactical teams. 

While the majority of the training I received involved improving my firearms handling and marksmanship skills, I was also to the mental aspect of training for combat. I learned quickly that it is not normal for people to adapt to situations that could potentially take a life. 

How do they do this? 

Our Airmen today must learn, understand and possess a combat mindset to be prepared to operate and survive a combat situation. 

To answer this question, I will begin by explaining what a combat mindset is. 

A combat mindset deals with a combination of three concepts. Col. Jeff Cooper, a retired marine, and founder of Gunsite Academy, said our mental awareness operates under four condition color codes: white, yellow, orange and red. Each of these color codes represents an increasing degree of awareness resulting from changes in our environment. 

White is a normal condition wherein we are almost totally relaxed. In the event we hear or see something that gets our attention, our mental color may change to yellow and increase our level of awareness to focus on what we hear or see. If we sense some sort of concern because of what we see or hear, then our mind moves us to orange to prepare to react. Red is the condition we end up in if the situation turns for the worst. 

The second concept is how we should react to situations we may be faced with. 

The Combative Concepts is taught by the Surefire Academy which was founded by retired cadre of Navy SEALS. They teach the concept of the observe, orient, decide and act cycle. When something gets our attention, we are generally oriented to look towards the source. We must keenly observe what is going on to decide what to do and finally act on it. This all takes place rather quickly and, depending on the nature of the situation, we do what we are trained to do. 

Finally, the third concept is the will to survive. This was probably the most challenging concept to teach. This is because each individual will have a unique reason to establish this will to survive depending on each one’s background. 

These three concepts are the necessary ingredients in instilling a combat mindset. This would provide a better mental picture of what to expect and how to properly react when faced with a life threatening situation. This will complement the physical training of skills we need in effectively operating in combat missions. 

We already provide the physical training for accomplishing our contingency roles. In the same sense, we need to provide Air Force-wide training on the combat mindset to our troops. 

This can be done in several different ways. Just as anything else, this begins with educating our leadership with the importance of integrating the combat mindset and how important this is for our troops in combat. Just as we teach force protection and situational awareness, we simply need to start including this concept of combat mindset in training today’s Air Force members. 

Initially, it should be included as part of the training required prior to deploying. Eventually, it can be included as part of annual training we must accomplish like Laws of Armed Conflict or Antiterrorism. 

By providing this mental aspect of training to Air Force members we are fully preparing our members for their role in combat today. By instilling a combat mindset in our Airmen, we provide them with a vital tool which greatly improves effectiveness and mental state in the demanding and stressful environment of combat. 

Most importantly, we will improve their capabilities to mentally operate under the most trying conditions as they carry out their combat roles in today’s Air Force.