Col. John Boyd (1927-1997)

For Erie native John Boyd, an early career as an Air Force pilot led to greater renown as a military strategist.
Boyd entered the Air Force during World War II with a love of flying. He later fought in the Korean War. But he is best-known for developing the strategy credited with winning the 1990-91 Gulf War.
That theory, the OODA Loop -- which stands for "observe, orient, decide, act" -- is aimed at making good decisions faster than the opponent.
While Boyd's daughter, Mary Ellen Boyd, who lives in Virginia, said her father's experience in war helped him as a strategist, she is heartened that his theories have applications beyond the battlefield.
The OODA Loop, for example, is often cited as a strategy in business, law and sports.
"I like that it isn't just about death and destruction," Mary Ellen Boyd said. "His work applies all over the place."
She cited her father's ability to "hyperfocus" as a factor in his success.
He would study at home, Mary Ellen Boyd said, and nothing else occurring in the house would bother him.
"He just focused," she said.

[ShapingNPDSuccess]

Correction at 1:41
On 30 October 1944, Boyd enlisted in the Army Air Corp. He reported for duty 16 April 1945. He listed his civilian occupation as “lifeguard.” (Page 29 of Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War, Robert Coram 2002)

At that time, he was rejected for pilot training because of 'low aptitude.' (Coram, Page 30)

During college, he enlisted in the Air Force then reported for duty in the Summer of 1951. On 1 August 1951, he began his flight training. (Coram Pages 39-40)

[Farscape]

John Boyd was an “Authentic “ American Hero !!!
I grew up in Erie knowing John Boyd.
He was aggressive and arrogant; but he was usually right.
America would NOT have the F-15, F-16, or F-18 without his relentlessness and his Fighter Mafia Group.
If you ask Vice President Dick Cheney who was the architect for the USA Strategy and Tactics in the 1st Iraq War
he will mention one name - John Boyd !!!

[jgburmann]

Anyone knows if exists a video of Boyd presenting his famous briefing, Patterns of Conflict? I would like so much in see this video. Thank you.

[GreeenBaron]

Ah, so you DID have more to back that up. I appreciate the time you took to reply; I understand the limits of the YT comment box. I'm not completely sold on your POV (still need to check out the dissertation link), but thumbs up for actually having more to say than a YT troll. I'll do some reading and reply to your PM.

[burtonegel]

Boyd's life would indeed be a great subject for a biopic, Diva. Perhaps the new movement in alt media will see the opportunity.

[WarVideo]

This video is great but it only gives a small look at everything he did.

[SabraStiehl]

Ref Boyd's rants in front of those who outranked him at the Pentagon, he was referred to as "Genghis John" and "The Mad Colonel." Ref the 40 second thing, he flat-planed his F-86 or F-100 to get all the drag he could while he barrel rolled, which caused his opponent to slip past him. He'd then say, "Guns, guns, guns, " and it was over, always within 40 seconds. Besides besting every USAF or Navy type that took him on, he slipped in behind 6 pilots from other air forces to get $20 each and great respect from them. Ref his OODA loop, you might substitute the words hypothesis for decision and test for action. They're the same things under other names. John got to Korea as a lieutenant after the Russians departed, flying only 25 or so missions as a wingman, but establishing himself as the best wingman in his unit. If you're really interested in fighter plane maneuvers, you might check out Boyd's "Aerial Attack Study" online. It's on the Air University site. 

[divanola]

too many Americans know nothing of this fantastic subject for a movie or at least a high-end mention of the A-10 warthog here either

[JonathanCastillo-wgyk]

1:49 The greatest fighter pilot in American history? i'm a huge fan of John Boyd, but that seems like a major stretch...

[mrcraig]

Little man "mikelh" said:
"That video is full of erroneous claims...but the professionals in the defense industry&military saw right through."
He's only saying this because he wishes HE WAS John Boyd;)

[CatDaddySteve]

HIS CRASHED SABRE JET. You can still go out in the Mojave desert and find small peaces of His jet crash, ( He bailed out of course)

[DCCENTRALFOX]

Put it this way. How many active duty Colonel's do you know would get away with putting a lit cigar out on a General's tie? Yes, that is one of many things he's done and got away with... Read his biography titled, "BOYD". And you too will understand... Crazy stuff...

[GreeenBaron]

You’re saying he was an outright liar about his accomplishments (eg EM Theory, OODA, FX/LWF), citing as evidence, only “common knowledge” of the institutions whose dogmatic, money wasting, corrupt weapons development schemes (eg F111, F35) that he battled? It’s one thing to disagree with his ideas- he was pretty extreme sometimes- but to say they were “simplistic” is itself an oversimplification, and betrays a lack of understanding of his theories. Got anything more substantial?