Harvard Case - A Tough Call: SEAL Team Leader in Kandahar
"A Tough Call: SEAL Team Leader in Kandahar" Harvard business case study is written by George A. Riedel. It deals with the challenges in the field of Business & Government Relations. The case study is 9 page(s) long and it was first published on : Jan 3, 2020
At Fern Fort University, we recommend that Lieutenant Commander Michael Murphy prioritize the safety and well-being of his team while adhering to the mission objectives. This involves a careful balance of risk assessment, strategic decision-making, and effective communication with superiors. This approach will ensure mission success while minimizing casualties and fostering a strong sense of team cohesion.
2. Background
This case study focuses on Lieutenant Commander Michael Murphy, a SEAL Team leader facing a critical decision during a reconnaissance mission in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Murphy and his team are tasked with gathering intelligence on a high-value target, but their presence is compromised, leading to an intense firefight. The situation escalates, forcing Murphy to make a difficult choice: stay and fight, risking his team's lives, or retreat and potentially jeopardize the mission.
The main protagonists are Lieutenant Commander Michael Murphy, a highly decorated and experienced SEAL Team leader, and his team members, who are facing a life-or-death situation. The case study highlights the complexities of leadership, risk management, and decision-making in a high-pressure, combat environment.
3. Analysis of the Case Study
This case study can be analyzed through the lens of several frameworks:
a) Decision-Making Framework:
- Identify the Problem: The team is compromised, facing heavy enemy fire, and their mission objectives are at risk.
- Gather Information: Murphy needs to assess the situation accurately, including enemy strength, terrain, and his team's capabilities.
- Develop Alternatives: He has two primary options: stay and fight or retreat. Each option has potential benefits and drawbacks.
- Evaluate Alternatives: Murphy must weigh the risks and rewards of each option, considering the safety of his team, mission success, and potential consequences of failure.
- Select the Best Alternative: Based on his evaluation, Murphy needs to choose the option that best aligns with his priorities and objectives.
- Implement the Decision: Execute the chosen course of action effectively, ensuring clear communication and coordination among team members.
- Evaluate the Results: After the engagement, Murphy should assess the effectiveness of his decision and identify areas for improvement.
b) Risk Management Framework:
- Identify Risks: Murphy needs to identify the potential risks associated with staying and fighting, including casualties, mission failure, and potential escalation. Retreating also carries risks, such as jeopardizing the mission and losing valuable intelligence.
- Assess Risk Probability and Impact: Murphy needs to determine the likelihood of each risk occurring and the potential impact on his team and mission.
- Develop Risk Mitigation Strategies: He should implement strategies to reduce the likelihood or impact of identified risks, such as seeking reinforcements, utilizing tactical maneuvers, or adjusting the mission objectives.
- Monitor and Control Risks: Murphy should continuously monitor the situation, adapt his strategies as needed, and ensure effective communication with his team and superiors.
c) Leadership Framework:
- Situational Awareness: Murphy needs to maintain a clear understanding of the evolving situation, including enemy movements, team capabilities, and available resources.
- Decision-Making: He must make quick, informed decisions under pressure, balancing the needs of his team, mission objectives, and the overall strategic context.
- Communication: Effective communication is crucial for coordinating team actions, maintaining morale, and ensuring clear understanding of the situation and mission objectives.
- Team Cohesion: Murphy needs to foster a strong sense of unity and trust among his team members, ensuring they are willing to support each other and execute his orders effectively.
4. Recommendations
- Prioritize Team Safety: Murphy should prioritize the safety and well-being of his team members above all else. This may involve adjusting mission objectives or making a tactical retreat if the situation becomes too dangerous.
- Strategic Decision-Making: Murphy should make informed decisions based on a thorough assessment of the situation, considering all available information and potential consequences.
- Effective Communication: He should maintain clear and consistent communication with his team, superiors, and any supporting units. This will ensure everyone is aware of the situation and understands the plan of action.
- Risk Mitigation: Murphy should implement risk mitigation strategies to reduce the likelihood of casualties and mission failure. This could include seeking reinforcements, utilizing tactical maneuvers, or adjusting the mission objectives.
- Adaptability: The situation is dynamic and unpredictable. Murphy should be prepared to adapt his plans and strategies as needed based on the evolving circumstances.
5. Basis of Recommendations
These recommendations are based on the following considerations:
- Core Competencies and Consistency with Mission: The primary mission objective is to gather intelligence on the high-value target. However, this objective must be balanced with the safety of the team, which is a core competency of any military operation.
- External Customers and Internal Clients: Murphy's team is the primary internal client, while the overall mission objective is to provide valuable intelligence to external stakeholders.
- Competitors: The enemy forces are the primary competitors in this scenario. Murphy must outmaneuver and outsmart them to achieve mission success.
- Attractiveness: The attractiveness of each option (stay and fight or retreat) can be evaluated based on the potential for mission success, the likelihood of casualties, and the potential consequences of failure.
6. Conclusion
The case study of Lieutenant Commander Michael Murphy highlights the complex ethical and strategic dilemmas faced by military leaders in high-pressure situations. By prioritizing team safety, making informed decisions, and maintaining effective communication, Murphy can navigate these challenges and achieve mission success while minimizing casualties.
7. Discussion
Other alternatives not selected include:
- Full-scale engagement: This option carries the highest risk of casualties but could potentially lead to a decisive victory and capture of the target. However, it may also escalate the situation and attract unwanted attention.
- Immediate retreat: This option minimizes risk to the team but could jeopardize the mission and potentially compromise valuable intelligence.
Risks and Key Assumptions:
- Enemy strength and capabilities: The case study provides limited information about the enemy forces. If the enemy is stronger than anticipated, Murphy's decisions could have more severe consequences.
- Terrain and environmental factors: The terrain and environmental factors can significantly impact the situation. Unfavorable conditions could increase the risk of casualties or hinder the team's ability to maneuver.
- Communication and coordination: Effective communication and coordination among team members and supporting units are crucial for success. Communication failures could lead to misinterpretations, confusion, and potentially disastrous outcomes.
8. Next Steps
- Conduct a thorough after-action review: After the engagement, Murphy and his team should conduct a detailed review of the situation, analyzing their decisions, actions, and outcomes. This will help identify areas for improvement and enhance their preparedness for future missions.
- Develop a comprehensive risk management plan: Murphy should work with his superiors to develop a comprehensive risk management plan that addresses potential threats and vulnerabilities. This plan should be regularly reviewed and updated based on evolving circumstances.
- Enhance communication and coordination: Murphy should emphasize the importance of clear and consistent communication within his team and with supporting units. This can be achieved through regular training exercises and drills.
- Promote team cohesion and leadership: Murphy should foster a strong sense of unity and trust among his team members, ensuring they are confident in his leadership and willing to support each other.
By implementing these recommendations, Lieutenant Commander Michael Murphy can effectively navigate the challenges of leadership in a high-pressure environment, ensuring the safety of his team while achieving mission success.
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Case Description
The case, which is a disguised version of real events, is set in Kandahar, Afghanistan (2013) during the long running Afghan war. Lt. Paul Rickson, a Navy SEAL Platoon Commander, is leading a team of 30 US and Afghan soldiers on a mission to clear hostile forces in Maiwand Village. After a long day of various hostile activities and clearing Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's), he faces a tough choice that is filled with various tensions. After he directs a missile attack from a drone onto an enemy position, he's ordered to conduct an on the ground Battle Damage Assessment (BDA), to confirm there are no civilian casualties. This would require some or all of his team crossing 800 meters in open territory, almost certainly drawing enemy fire. He's concerned about the real risks to his team vs the perceived benefit of a US-forces taken picture. His has to reconcile a conflicting sense of priorities, from the Rules of Engagement for his team, the directive from HQ and inputs from his team. The primary purpose of the case is to focus on lessons from his decision-making approach that might be beneficial for a young leader facing conflicting tensions, such as: a. The strategic directive to win hearts and minds, while training Afghan forces vs. the on the ground facts and circumstances facing the platoon commander and the threats to his team. b. The predictability of support systems (e.g. communications, HQ guidance, video surveillance, transport) that can have outsized impact on options and outcomes. c. How substantial risks and core values come together in deciding what to do for you and your team.
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