1.13b Analysis

Analysis

The second cognitive skill is analysis. Analysis is to identify the intended and actual inferential relationships among statements, questions, concepts, descriptions, or other forms of representation intended to express belief, judgment, experiences, reasons, information, or opinions. In normal English it means to take things apart to understand how they work.

US Army M-915 semi-truck with 40feet M872 trailer burning on MSR Tampa, Iraq 2003. Many trucks were destroyed by enemy action. This truck could not take the heat and the engine spontaneously combusted. The crew got out safely. Fortunately, it was carrying bottled water and not ammunition or fuel.

Credit: © M.Corson. Used with permission. 

Having gained situational understanding via extensive visits to every transportation node, base, and unit, the BC and his staff were able to start deconstructing and charting many moving pieces of the theater distribution effort. Some parts of the operation seemed very clear cut. Other parts of the operation were hampered by differing perceptions, variable willingness, and in some cases outright lies, fraud, theft, and waste. Not everything was black and white—that was for sure. Oh—and don’t forget the enemy had a vote and they showed their displeasure with the US presence.

US Army HUMVEE after striking an improvised explosive device Iraq 2003. Major enemy insurgent action came as a shock in the summer of 2003. Then it became the norm for the next decade.

Credit: © M.Corson. Used with permission. 

The three sub-skills of analysis are examining ideas, detecting arguments, and analyzing arguments.