for Essays Guru Responses M1D1

1. Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness. It should work by the process of analyzing it thoroughly instead of simply guessing or hoping.

Critical thinking is important in the military world and lifestyle. It is a powerful asset to have in this environment because everything is moving quickly at a fast pace and you also need to be prepared to adjust to change at a fast rate also in this profession.Critical thinking is a must have asset for every leader because it enables you to make some good decisions after assessing the situation and that is a must for your chain of command to have confidence in you to get the job completed to standard and also so your subordinates will have the utmost respect and confidence as their leader that you will make quick, well thought out decisions that will have their best interests and safety in mind at all times. Sometimes as a leader in this business you are faced with some off the wall missions with some unrealistic timelines to get that mission completed. When I was faced with some of these situations, I was forced to think outside of the box and make it happen.

2. Critical thinking is a systematic, structured, way of thinking in order to complete a task or mission.  This type of thinking will lead to a deliberate, direct, decision making process.  During the process, pros and cons are evaluated in order to come up with the most efficient solution to a problem, or course of action for a plan.  This can be as complex as a battle-focused task that needs to be accomplished in order to execute a mission during wartime, or as simple as determining the quickest way to realign vehicles in the motor pool.  In a perfect world, the pros should always outweigh the cons.  In the instance that this is not possible, then risk must be evaluated and assumed.  In assuming risk, the commander or senior person must ensure that mitigating factors are put into place in order to safely execute the mission at hand.

            In my career field, critical thinking takes place often.  Almost everything we do has some type of decision-making process tied to it, which continually involves critical thinking.  It is almost second nature to many of us.  An example of this, for me, would be the new position that I was recently placed in, within my organization.  I was placed in a position of responsibility, to oversee the restructure of our unit.  This involves realigning and creating new positions, duties and descriptions, roles and responsibilities, and best practices and processes.  In order to create the most efficiently operating element, hundreds of critical thinking instances have and will continue to take place.  This is generally done in groups of five or so personnel the process is not always an individual effort.