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SDRNews: Wikified Army

August 16th, 2009 Administrator

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Wikified Army Field Manuals

by Andrew McCaskey
Field Manual Doctrine

The recent article today is welcome news, at least at some level. It will remain to be seen how the process of actively soliciting Wikipedia engine based sourced versions of the US Army’s Field Manual doctrine works out. Any US Army ID service member logs on with credentials including real name to keep things honest and transparent. The important fact is that the leadership is willing to consider adoption of the sorts of tools that most young officers and noncoms are comfortable with, and apply it to the very serious business of tactics and techniques.

As a Vietnam era veteran it brings to mind the endless reports of filed away “Lessons Learned” after action reports compiled by many were, almost as they were being written (in long-hand) then transcribed by clerk, typed onto onion skin paper carbons. I expect there will be a good deal of foot dragging and reluctant participation in the wiki experiment – but it appears that there is serious intent to effect a major transformation. Only about fifty doctrine defining documents will be retained in the old production format, with around 500 moved, eventually to the new Wiki based structure.

Imagine. Current information from those in the field and just returning from the field – searchable. Useful as a training tool, and incredibly useful in the best tradition of the US Army – a plan, the purpose of which is to have something to deviate from once contact with the enemy changes the rules.

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