by Mike Konkel and Chuck Appleby
This is Carter McNamara, a friend of Mike’s. He permitted me to organize this blog post in his blog. I write “organize” because it was composed by Mike and another dear friend of mine, Chuck Appleby. I’ve read many times that one of the most powerful ways to make a point is to tell a story. In this post, each of them sure shows that to be true. In this post, Mike and Chuck each tell a Navy story, as means to describe how the task of writing can be so challenging for each of them.
Mike’s Story
Back in the Navy, we practiced (in simulator situations of course) tracking and shooting Soviet submarines with torpedoes. Acoustic information (for example, a bearing to the sound 095 degrees and drawing left) is all we had, so in order to determine the tactical picture (target parameters of range, course and speed), we would conduct a process called Target Motion Analysis (TMA).
By maneuvering our submarine’s left, right, up, down and changes in speed, the variations in the acoustic signal can be interpreted and your team can figure out the tactical picture!
A boat load of assumptions needs to be made–and then there is the possibility that the enemy is better than you at all of this and will shoot first. So it can get tense. That is where the “Reset” button comes in real handy–we all live, except it’s ass chewin’ time if someone screwed up!
The Fire Control Coordinator (Me) always wants more data to refine the picture. The Approach Officer (Captain) eventually feels comfortable with the solution, so he barks out, “Executive Officer, now you’re just polishing the cannonball. I’m shooting!”
The same basic thought process applies to my “writing.”
Mike
Chuck’s Story
Mike, I hope your writing is a bit less stressful than tracking Russian subs.
For me, writing is something I struggle with. I am not a perfectionist … so it must be something else. For example, writing my PhD dissertation was a very painful experience. I went for many walks in the woods to reduce the stress. The effort was worth it. It was honored as the best dissertation in Foreign Policy at the Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies. I was offered a book contract by the University of North Carolina Press. I did not pursue the book … too many juicy distractions engulfed me in my “Attention Deficit Disorder” world.
Writing the dissertation did show me that I did have the discipline to write a “book.” Most important, my topic became a lifelong focus on the challenge of leaders in managing dilemmas.
I took a deep dive into the formulation and execution of Eisenhower’s national security strategy; specifically, the way he managed the dilemma he faced with the Soviet Union (containment and arms control negotiations.) I interviewed around 60 players in the Eisenhower national security world, including Sherman Adams (Chief of Staff) and John McCone, who became head of the CIA.I think I am going down a rabbit hole … bye.
Chuck
