What is the Military OODA Loop?

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Let’s look at a tool that the military and members of the special operations community use to make quick decisions in a rapidly changing environment. It is called the OODA Loop. Lets discuss what it is, how to use it, and then I’ll give an military example of using the OODA Loop while rescuing a downed pilot … and we will finish off with a business example of using the OODA loop.


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Christopher Littlestone
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00:00 Introduction
00:36 What an OODA Loop Is
01:23 Overview
02:43 Military Example
03:59 Business Example

[frisbeelaunch]

Fun fact! Boyd, an Air Force Colonel, also developed the maneuver warfare doctrine employed by U.S. Marines!

[corporaterobotslave]

Oodaloop sounds like a Dr Seuss character.

[davidaustin]

Currently in Air Force Officer Training School (graduating in three weeks) and we learned this two weeks in. Pretty cool to see it in your videos man

[studredfield]

I feel like the OODA Loop terminology sums up my daily life. Especially my hobby as a hunter, I have to constantly adapt to my environment according to weather, other hunters, time of year, moon cycles, and countless other factors that are continuously changing. Many times, I've been in the field and one or more factors have changed determining my actions that need to be taken in order to successfully acquire my prey. I've used the method many, many times in the field both hunting, fishing, and even backpacking, I just never had a term to define it.

[robertalonzo]

Been a charge nurse in the ER for 22 years. This becomes the default the busier and more intense the environment gets. Sometimes it feels like running in circles which used to bother me until I realized I was running continuous OODA loops during peak census. Things get done and you jump into the next loop (problem).

[davidgerholdt]

I’ve used the OODA loop when I travel to different places around the world; first I research the country I want to go to and orient myself to a few basics in the language, security and culture. Then, I decide what my length of time is going to be in that country and what specific spots I’m going to visit with a certain mode of transport, of course a choice of a secure hotel. Finally, I act on this information by putting in the paperwork for visas, book the tickets for the flight and establish a new SIM to stay in communication in case of emergency.

[danielvillarreal]

I used a combination of advice from a trusted colleague and the OODA Loop to finalize my decision to bail out of a university teaching job that was becoming a bit too toxic for my taste. It was a two-hour commute, so with toxicity in the mix, exiting that environment was a smart move for my health and my career.

[magmomwise]

Great info. This blends well with my problem solving. You can't fix it if you don't understand it.

[MountaintravelerEddie]

Hey there Pfc, go to the store and get the ID-10-T form, a box of OODA loops and some blinker fluid..!!!

[vicaz]

I teach personal defense, own a business, uses OODA Loop on every day life.

[LRSB]

I live the OODA Loop. I studied and practiced Aikido for 5 years. One day I teained under Sensei Yamada, who learned umder the founder. That man would litterally disappear by moving from where you attacked, causing the attacker to readjyst and Yamada moved again and he would remove my balance and then, he hurt me. OODA Loop is real. Look at Mike Tyson's best knick outs. He got one man against the ropes and stepped in with right foot the rurned 90° and switched to Southpaul. His opponent's eyes bulged. And Tyson put him on the mat

[abdullaali]

Organized process, with this concept can avoid any confusion or fail to remember or neglect anything

[skollmemes]

You can also get more advanced like the special special forces and use the FROODALOOP system.

[camronsmith]

Ah, this is the last channel I’d expect to have the concept misunderstood. Please check out a video lecture called “maneuver warfare” by a USMC officer here on yt. It should add new practicality to the idea. Either way this is one of my favorite channels

[FrancisGo.]

The Primordial Game Loop. Hegel in real time. The Hero's Journey instantiated in a particular scene.

[Brigand]

This gives me flashbacks to high school driver's ed.
I.D.P.E. Identify Decide Predict Execute.

[kevinthompson]

It is nothing new as the Navy Seals use
R.E.A.C.T.
Recognize the immediate threat Evaluate the situation
Adapt to the situation
Create the best solid solution
Take action and monitor for improvements as needed.
Or

A.D.D. (Assess, Decide, Do)
Assess the situation
Decide the best course of actions
Do take actions to bring the best results.

Or.
S.T.E.P.S.
Seek To Eliminate Problems
Successfully
1. State the Problems
2. Think of the possible root causes of the problems
3. Examine the possible solutions
4. Pick the best Solution available
5. Start taking action and improvise as needed.

[GladioUmbra]

I teach a "situational awareness" class for my Court personnel, This concept is one of the components I teach on. This and the "color code" among others.

[JuanAdam]

IIRC from the book about Boyd, he hated it being called “ooda.” It was the “O-O-D-A loop.”

[jonathancooper]

Observe, Object, Deny, Assign Blame….