Introduction
Mission command analysis can be defined in the light of its application and perception in philosophy, in war fighting function, and as a system. In the lens of philosophy, mission command can be viewed as the directive and authority employed by the commander to transmit his influence and demands to the other fighters and ensures uniform and unity of purpose in the hands of adversaries. In the light of the war functions, mission command can be viewed as the systems, people, and other resources that are employed by the commanders for the common purpose of the war. On the system approach, mission command can be described as the arrangement of the personnel, information, and other systems that enable the commanders to function and carry their mission successfully.
There are six principles of command. The six principles include creating shared understanding, building cohesive teams through mutual trust, accept prudent risk, employ mission orders, provide clear commander`s intent, and to exercise disciplined initiative. The writer will explore the conduct and functions of Governor William Henry Harrison in the battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. The writer will explore the conduct and functionalities of the Commander in the lens of the command mission principles and description. The analysis of the conduct of the commander will be in the lens of the war fighting function of the command mission. War fighting design explores mission command as the group of tasks and systems that include people, organizations, processes, and information that are united by the common purpose and employed by the commanders for the accomplishment of the missions and training aims.
Mission Command Analysis
Governor William Henry Harrison was the commander in the Tippecanoe Battle that was fought in the year 1811. Through his active involvement and leadership, the soldiers that he led prevailed. The war was fought by the American forces that were led by Governor Harrison that was from the Indiana territory at the present day Lafayette, Indiana against the Native American warriors. The Native American warriors were opposing the expansion of the United States to the native territories. The Native Americans were led by the Shawnee leader, Tecumseh and his brother that was known as the prophet. The Native Americans were against expansion of the United States to native lands and Tecumseh was rallying allies to oppose expansion. At the height of the resistance, Governor William marched to the Native Americans strongholds with one thousand soldiers, caught them by surprise and destroyed their camps that included the prophet town. Destruction of the town disintegrated the resistance of the Confederacy of the Native Americans and was unable to recover. However, the involvement of the United Kingdom in support of the Native Americans led to the US declaration of war against the United Kingdom six months later after the defeat of the Confederacy of the Native Americans. The battle was nicknamed Tippecanoe because the Prophetstown that was held by the rebels and was burned to the ground by William and his forces was near the Tippecanoe and Wabash Rivers.
Mission Command Analysis in the lens of War fighting Function
War fighting function describes the mission command as the group of procedures and systems that include people, organizations, information, and processes that are united by the common purpose that the commanders use to accomplish their missions and for the purpose of training. Governor William was the legal leader in the region and represented the interest of the United States Government. Being the Governor that represented the interests of the United States, he had at his disposal the County Government administrative systems and the support of the Federal Governments to employ to the best interest of the US Government. The Governor employed County and State resources towards the course of fighting against the resistant Native Americans. He linked the desires and the interests of the Federal Government with his county mission and employed the County resources to fight against the Native Americans. By the powers and authority vested in the position of the Governor, William was able to rally one thousand soldiers to the battle. In addition, the expenses of the battle came from the County, the State, and the Federal Government that used William to advance their interests against the rebel. In his conduct and involvement, William employed significant mission command principles that enabled his soldiers to prevail in the war.
Build cohesive teams through Mutual Trust
William was able to build cohesive teams through mutual trust among the various people that were stakeholders in the war. William was able to rally 1,000 soldiers that were involved in the combat mission against the Native Americans through mutual trust between themselves and the leader. To be allowed to utilize the county funds for the battle, William had to indicate mutual trust and common purpose between the county representatives and the mission. William was able to have the State and the Federal Government to support the mission. The support accorded to William by State and Federal Government was established through the formation of mutual trust between the county, State, and the Federal Government. In addition, William had to convince other relevant stakeholders such as religious and Non-Governmental organization leaders that his mission was for the benefit of the largest of the society to gain their approval and support.
Create Shared Understanding
William was able to create a shared understanding in his combat mission against Native Americans at the Tippecanoe battle. Shared understanding developed by the leader was between the commander and the combat soldiers, facilitators, State and the Federal Government, as well as County representatives and members of the public. Although some of the external stakeholders had differing perspectives from William, the largest of the internal communities supported his intentions. The US Government was in the verge and expansion intentions to the Native Lands. The forces that opposed the expansion of the US were against the interests and aims of the Federal Government. William was able to create a shared understanding between Federal, State, and County Governments that had their interests and aims as expanding the US into the Native lands. In addition, William developed a shared understanding between the leader and soldiers that indicated it was to the best of their interest to erase the forces that opposed the expansion of the United States to the Native lands. The 1000 soldiers that rallied behind William understood it was their duty and responsibilities to advance the interest of the Federal Government.
Provide a clear Commander’s Intent
In his conduct and role as the commander in the battle of Tippecanoe, William employed clear indication of the Commander`s intent mission-command principle. William indicated to the State, County, and Federal Government that it was his intent to fight and eradicate the Native American forces that were against the expansion of the US territory to the native lands. The commander let his soldiers know his intention and the purpose of the mission. The soldiers that accompanied him in the battle understood what they were fighting for, the desired outcome of the war, and the consequences. The clear provision of the commander`s intentions was instrumental in rallying the soldiers behind William and motivating them during the war.
Exercise disciplined initiative
William exercised disciplined initiative in his conduct and involvement in the Tippecanoe battle. The mission had a clear purpose and responsibilities expected from the participants. The soldiers were expected to observe and observed war discipline and conduct that included protection of the civilians in the battle. William made the warriors understand purpose and the relevance of the battle. The advancement of the interest of the United States was at stake following the actions of the rebel Native Americans that were against the US expansion. William deemed it appropriate for the soldiers to employ their tactics and skills to advance the interest of their nation.
Use Mission Orders
William employed the principle of mission orders in the command mission of the Tippecanoe battle. The commander gave orders that were to be followed in the battle by his soldiers. The orders to be followed were made using deliberate actions developed from battle intelligence. William had learned of the camps of the enemies and the preparations that they were undertaking. Following the information, he gave orders to attack that caught the enemies at a surprise. The rebel military leader was away rallying allies when the American Forces struck at his stronghold. The enemies that lacked their leader were easily defeated and fled the town. After they had fled, the commander ordered his armies to burn the town to the ground. Burning of the town suppressed the supply of food, water, and shelter to the enemy forces. After burning the town to the ground, the soldiers were ordered home.
Conclusion
The battle of Tippecanoe was fought in the 1811 by the American forces against the Native Americans. The Confederacy of the Native Americans was against the expansion of the US to the native territories. William was the leader of the American forces that waged war against the Native American warriors. William was the Governor of the Indiana region and represented the interest of the US in the region. To prevail in the war, the Governor employed the mission command perceived in the war functioning perspective to rally the soldiers and have the support of the County, the Federal, and the State Government. William employed various mission command principles that facilitated the effective accomplishment of the mission and the prevailing of the soldiers against their adversaries.
Works Cited
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ADRP 6-0. “Mission Command”. (n.d). 1-12
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Smoak, G. E. "The Gods of Prophetstown: The Battle of Tippecanoe and the Holy War for the American Frontier." Journal of American History 99, no. 3 (2012), 899-900. doi:10.1093/jahist/jas479.
