Welcome to my deep dive conversation about the OODA cycle with Law Enforcement Trainer and Police One Columnist Duane Wolfe. In February 2014, Duane Wolfe retired from his career as a Minnesota Peace Officer after more than 25 years of service . During his career, he served as a patrolman, sergeant, S.R.T., use of force and firearms instructor. He was a full-time law enforcement instructor at Alexandria Technical & Community College in Alexandria, Minnesota for 28 years. Duane has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Bemidji State University and a Masters Degree in Education from Southwest State University.
Topics
Introduction of Dwayne Wolfe – His career background, roles in law enforcement, and experience as an instructor.
Introduction to the OODA Cycle – Discussion on the difference between the OODA Cycle and OODA Loop, emphasizing Boyd’s strategy and its relevance to law enforcement.
Origins of the OODA Cycle – How John Boyd, a fighter pilot trainer, developed the OODA cycle by studying historical combat tactics.
Boyd’s Combat Strategy – Explanation of using multiple feints to find weaknesses, bypass resistance, and drive toward an objective.
Human Factors in Training – The significance of considering genetic heritage and human behavioral patterns when training law enforcement.
Application of Boyd’s Combat Strategy in Law Enforcement – How understanding your environment and opposition’s weaknesses is crucial for effective policing.
Monkey Dance vs. Predatory Attack – Differentiation between social posturing aggression (Monkey Dance) and predatory attacks, and how understanding these behaviors can help police de-escalate situations.
Avoiding Confrontation and Ego in Policing – Emphasis on bypassing resistance and avoiding ego-driven confrontations to control situations effectively.
Observation and Orientation in the OODA Cycle – How orientation is the most critical part of the OODA Cycle, affecting observation and decision-making.
Teaching Officers What to Observe – Importance of teaching officers specific cues to look for during confrontations, not just telling them to “keep their head on a swivel.”
Enhancing Observational Skills – Techniques such as breaking down videos into short segments to train officers in identifying behavioral patterns and cues.
Orientation Phase in Depth – Discussion on the components of orientation: culture and tradition, analysis and synthesis, past experience, new information, and genetic heritage.
Recognition-Primed Decision-Making – The idea that in high-stress situations, officers make decisions based on pattern recognition rather than deliberate thought.
Automaticity in Training – The concept of training officers to respond automatically in high-pressure situations without conscious decision-making.
Use of Proprioception and Other Senses in Training – Incorporating senses like balance, pressure, and proprioception into training for better situational awareness and faster reactions.
Decision-Making Under Stress – How stress affects decision-making and the relevance of training for split-second decisions.
The Role of Culture in Law Enforcement – Trainers’ responsibility to instill a professional, effective culture in their departments.
Continuous Adaptation in Training – The need for law enforcement to adapt to emerging threats (e.g., drones) and new crime trends.
OODA Cycle in Scenario Training – How to design training that reflects the entire OODA Cycle, not just the action phase.
Combat Strategy in Verbal De-escalation – Applying Boyd’s combat strategy to verbal interactions in law enforcement.
Boyd’s Influence on Military Strategy – How Boyd’s work influenced aircraft development and broader military strategy.
Challenges of Teaching the OODA Cycle to New Officers – Keeping the explanation simple to avoid overwhelming trainees, while still instilling key concepts.
The Role of Science in Firearms Training – Using scientific principles such as recoil control and body mechanics in training to improve shooting performance.
Dealing with Retirement – Wolfe’s reflections on retirement, continuing to contribute to law enforcement, and maintaining a sense of purpose.
The podcast explores a wide range of topics primarily centered around the OODA Cycle and its application to law enforcement training, decision-making, and strategy.
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