An Cosantóir

| 33 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE awareness and understanding, not as means of enforcing control. Commanders must remember that these technologies serve to supplement, not replace, the established principles of command and control. The art of command lies in understanding when to direct, when to monitor, and most importantly, when to trust subordinates to do what needs to be done. Thus, while technological capabilities evolve, the principles of effective leadership and command remain constant. Examining Napoleon Bonaparte's command style offers valuable insights. In his 1805 Ulm Campaign, Napoleon demonstrated a profound reliance on his Marshals' competence. After providing a clear intent to his Marshals - to cut off Austrian General Karl Mack von Leiberich from retreating and force a decisive battle - he relied on their ability to adapt to the unfolding situation and entrusted them to act autonomously within his strategic framework 8 . With limited communication, Napoleon could not direct every move, nor would he have desired to; instead, he had to trust his subordinate commanders to interpret his intent and make decisions that would achieve the desired end state. This level of trust allowed for increased operational tempo and decision-making at the point of contact. Napoleon's Marshals could use their initiative and local situational awareness to exploit opportunities without waiting for explicit orders, thereby maintaining momentum and keeping the enemy off-balance. In contemporary dynamic military environments, commanders should remember these lessons. While leveraging modern communication technology for increased situational awareness and coordination, they should resist the temptation to control every aspect of the operation. Instead, by creating a shared understanding of the mission's intent, fostering trust, and empowering subordinates, they can foster an effective mission command environment that truly harnesses the potential of their forces. So, how should we adapt the training and education of today's Cavalry Commanders? While the Irish Defence Forces may not currently boast heavy armoured units (MBTs), it is crucial to appreciate the formidable versatility of light and medium cavalry forces when optimally employed. Blended with mounted direct fire support, these units can exert substantial battlefield influence, especially when granted the requisite freedom of action. In the context of the Three-Block War — a scenario where military forces may be simultaneously tasked with combat, peacekeeping, and humanitarian aid within a confined area 91 — such a blend of forces becomes particularly effective. Light and medium cavalry can perform rapid scouting missions, providing timely and accurate situational awareness to command structures. This close to real- time information stream can enable commanders to make informed, proactive decisions rather than reactive ones, significantly increasing the effective use of time. These forces can also conduct armoured reconnaissance or provide the capacity to 'fight for information', a critical function in identifying favourable conditions for engagement or creating them where they don't exist. By identifying the enemy's strength, disposition, and intentions, scouting can tilt the balance of the fight, enabling commanders to strike when and where their force has the upper hand. Training modern cavalry commanders to make intuitive decisions 1 Szabó, 2010 2 Tucker, 2001 3 Letrun, 2014 4 Shamir, 2011 5 Connelly, 2005 6 Macksey, 1997 7 Woodword, 2010 8 Bowden, 1997 9 Ben-Ari et al., 2010 10 Gavin Egerton "Abandon Perfection" akin to their historical counterparts requires a blend of structured education, real-world experience, and continuous feedback. Regularly updating training methods, integrating new technologies, and keeping commanders informed about the latest tactics, techniques, and procedures, whilst also studying the strategies and tactics of past cavalry commanders provides the foundation. By analysing the successes and failures of previous campaigns, commanders can cultivate a sense of battlefield rhythm and flow; the Cavalry School's recent initiative, Virtual Battlefield Tours, plunges junior leaders into historical conflicts, prompting them to engage in group discussions and share perspectives on various battle phases. The Cavalry School have also transitioned to more realistic 'free play' training exercise scenarios that replicate the complexities of modern warfare. Such exercises have more fluidity and dynamism, and push commanders to rely on their intuition rather than static plans. We are also attempting to develop more Immersive Virtual Reality Experiences; just as historical horsemen often began their training as youths, modern commanders should be exposed to a variety of real-world tactical situations early in their careers. This cultivates a 'gut feeling' over time. We have developed a more candid and open feedback mechanisms, abandoning perfection 10 , and fostering a mindset of accepting mistakes. This helps commanders understand their decision-making processes and refine their intuitive skills. We are emphasising greater flexibility; this teaches commanders to adapt to evolving situations, as within the sphere of reciprocal influence, commanders must feel comfortable pivoting their plans based on the situation on the ground. We are learning to cultivate a culture of trust; superior officers should trust their commanders' intuitive decisions. This trust, once established, bolsters a commander's confidence in their own intuition, and while intuition is vital, commanders should also be trained to quickly weigh the risks and benefits of their decisions. Integrating emerging technologies, like Virtual / Augmented reality or sophisticated simulation tools, into training programmes can go some way to bridge the gap between historical scenarios and current challenges, and offer commanders a panoramic view of warfare. Breaking the 'status quo bias' is not about discarding the old but about discerning which elements of the past can be seamlessly married to the innovations of the present. It's a balancing act between reverence for time-tested strategies and an insatiable hunger for evolution. Only by acknowledging the inertia that sometimes accompanies tradition can we craft training methods that truly prepare our cavalry units for the challenges of the contemporary battlefield; however, it is also worth noting that, while technology and tactics have evolved since the days of historical horsemen, the principles of intuition, adaptability, and trust remain constant. I want to express my appreciation to Comdt Joe Tynan for our discussions on intuitive decision-making. Likewise, my understanding of Mission Command has greatly benefited from the knowledge and perspectives shared by Comdt Gavin Egerton. Their expertise has been instrumental in shaping my perspective on these topics. Napoleon takes the surrender of General Mack and the Austrian army after the Battle of Ulm in 1805 Close Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) off roading

• Cover