The Boyd Cycle reinforces individual and where cohesion exists, group or organizational  knowledge allowing us to take appropriate actions on the street.  Through observation-orientation-decision and action cycles we continually learn, unlearn and relearn on the fly allowing us to better understand the environment, and the climate of the situation.  This allows us to adapt and choose the right methods to respond with and the how and why behind the actions we take. The Boyd Cycle enhances the strategic and tactical mindset over the emotional reactive mindset. 

“Conflicts are time Competitive Observation, Orientation, Decision, and Action cycles! “~John Boyd

The essence of conflict as described in the Marine Corps Warfighting Manual is a struggle between two hostile, independent, and irreconcilable wills, trying to impose itself on the other. Conflict is fundamentally an interactive social process.

“Tiger, one day you will come to a fork in the road,” he said. “And you’re going to have to make a decision about which direction you want to go.” He raised his hand and pointed. “If you go that way you can be somebody. You will have to make compromises and you will have to turn your back on your friends. But you will be a member of the club and you will get promoted and you will get good assignments.”

Then Boyd raised his other hand and pointed another direction.

“The essence of winning and losing is in learning how to shape or influence events so that we not only magnify our spirit and strength but also influence potential adversaries as well as the uncommitted so that they are drawn toward our philosophy and are empathetic towards our success.” ~Col. John Boyd

The strategic and tactical mindset should have these words from Boyd in mind while we interact with our environment  and our adversary.

Colin S. Gray wrote in Modern Strategy back in 1999:

Over on JOHN BOYD America's Greatest Military Theorist John Robb has began posting articles for cops that discuss COL John Boyd's Theories as the apply to the street. His first series comes from Spartan Cops.

Great article by Bill Whittle posted at John Boyd that will give you insight into Boyd the man and his theories take a look. 

Fred

Here's a series of video's (relatively poor quality) from a presentation by John Boyd: Posted on JOHN BOYD America's Greatest Military Theorist. Enjoy

Stay Oriented!

Fred

The Defense and National Interest a site dedicated to COL John Boyd and his theories has stopped their publication on the world Wide Net and John Robb from Global Guerrilla's has started a new page with information from DNI  and with new information coming.

The Homeland Security Review a Journal of the Institute for Law and Public Policy of California University of Pennsylvania published the article written by Fred Leland Director and Principal Trainer of Law Enforcement and Security Consulting (LESC, INC).

The article focus is on rapid decision making also known as recognized prime decision making and how this methodology applies to law enforcement and homeland security professionals.