returned to COP Falcon.
It was foolishness not to work together. Though we were working in
small teams with some distance between us we weren’t on our own. We
were all trying to accomplish the same mission. The enemy was out
there working against us—all of us. It was essential that we support each
other and work together. One element must cover so that the other
element could move. Our OP2 had gotten lucky this time around, damn
lucky. But my chief knew, and I now recognized, that we had taken a
needless and foolish risk. We should have utilized every strength and
tactical advantage possible against these ruthless enemy fighters
occupying Ramadi. The most important tactical advantage we had was
working together as a team, always supporting each other.
It was a rude awakening for me. I had become so immersed in the
details, decision points, and immediate challenges of my own team that I
had forgotten about the other team, what they could do for us and how
we might help them.
Going forward I never forgot my chief’s guidance. We utilized the
principle of Cover and Move on every operation: all teams working
together in support of one another. That realization and the lesson
learned implemented no doubt saved lives, greatly reduced casualties
and enabled us to more effectively accomplish our mission and win.
PRINCIPLE
Cover and Move: it is the most fundamental tactic, perhaps the only
tactic. Put simply, Cover and Move means teamwork. All elements
within the greater team are crucial and must work together to accomplish
the mission, mutually supporting one another for that singular purpose.
Departments and groups within the team must break down silos, depend
on each other and understand who depends on them. If they forsake this