OODA Loop

[Bttbbob]

This is for Instructors and Students of advanced self defense classes. Some people have heard of it, but do not understand its application for self defense. Some Instructors cover it, but only cover the terminology and not how it is integrated into self defense skills in a civilian environment. I will give the question later but first let me tell you my take.

All of my advance courses have classroom on the Marine Corps Color Code of awareness (not the Jeff Cooper version). The OODA Loop and how these are integrated and applied into CQB. I took and taught many classes related to this in the Marine Corps.

A little background. The OODA Loop is a Combat operations process invented by USAF Colonel John Boyd. He interviewed, while he was a pilot in Vietnam many different pilots who had been in dogfights. Didn't get enough answers, so he expanded his interviews to Korean War, WWII pilots and pilots of foreign airforce pilots. He found out this system to use ones energies to plan, fight and survive. It has since been twisted turned and used not only in combat but also in business and everyday life.

This is tactical training that should be required in every self defense course, as opposed to every pistol instruction course. (Tactical vs. Firearms Training).

O-Observe
O-Orient
D-Decide
A-ACT

His doctrine and theorum, dictates that these four loops continued constantly with change, during an action of violence. The faster you can work through your LOOP in the changing scenario's through your opponents LOOP. The better your chance of winning a conflict.

How many know of this doctrine? How many have used this doctrine? How many can relate this doctrine to their training?

[Firefighterchen]

I knew of disruptive tactics, but didn't know of the OODA loop until BC1 brought it up earlier at USA Carry (I believe he teaches the OODA loop in his classes).

How do I fit in the OODA loop into my defensive strategy? A few examples:

1. Throw away wallet.

Wallet filled with some money, some cards, stuff that I can easily cancel and replace, or don't have any worry about losing. I will throw that wallet past the threat on his weapon side (so he turns his weapon away from me if he goes for the wallet, also so he can't use his weapon hand to grab the wallet out of the air). This will break his OODA loop long enough for me to run or draw, hopefully.

2. Look beyond the threat with anxiety.

Get the threat to feel he is being approached from behind. This will hopefully give you the time to draw or run.

Other aspects go into getting the most out of disrupting the threat. Such as hand placement: if you put your hands up, keep them low, not way above your head, so you can get to your weapon faster. Also, if your hands are forced behind your head, keep your weapon hand on the outside, for the same reason.

Disrupting the OODA loop only gives you a second, maybe 2. Make those seconds worth while.

[tcox4freedom]

I believe the sooner you can disrupt a potential BGs OODA loop the better off you'll be. If you find your self in an "active" SD situation you're already behind the 8-ball. (Incidentally, one of the reasons I like OC is because it interupts the OODA in the "observation" stage.)

Ideally, the OODA loop should be interrupted during the "Observation" stage. (Hopefully, this would take place prior to any confrontation & would force the BG to choose another target.)

I also think it's important for a GG to practice running the OODA loop sequence over-and-over in order to hone their own SA abilities.

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[JimPage]

As a fighter pilot in Vietnam I used the same system while flying but it was not defined and elaborated upon. I use the same tactics in any situation, whether a simple argument or a hostile situation. Unlike Vietnam, I have never had to resort to violence since. That makes me happy, but I am always aware and ready with the whole situational awareness. It's a hard thought process to lose.

[Firefighterchen]

I believe the sooner you can disrupt a potential BGs OODA loop the better off you'll be. If you find your self in an "active" SD situation you're already behind the 8-ball. (Incidentally, one of the reasons I like OC is because it interupts the OODA in the "observation" stage.)

Ideally, the OODA loop should be interrupted during the "Observation" stage. (Hopefully, this would take place prior to any confrontation & would force the BG to choose another target.)

I also think it's important for a GG to practice running the OODA loop sequence over-and-over in order to hone their own SA abilities.

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I would like to also point out that ALL carriers (CC/OC) should be trying to disrupt the OODA during the observation by simply keeping up their situational awareness. When a BG is observing and picking a victim, I would put money down the majority of victims will be unaware of their surroundings (which is quite obvious to those who look for it).

[Raider-3]

We teach this at work

[JCliff]

There are no Marine Officers (and few from any U.S. military service) who are not intimately familiar with Colonel Boyd's work. It forms a large part of the intellectual underpinnings of the maneuver warfare doctrine practiced in the Marine Corps. The OODA loop cycle is applicable to any undertaking or environment that is competetive in nature, whether between individuals or organizations. It is highly applicable to any form of self-defense training. Good self-defense instructors are incorporating, whether they know it or not, Colonel Boyd's theory in their instruction.

[BC1]

A very important part of any advanced PP curriculum. Also very helpful in business negotiations.