OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM

To Plan

FOR THE 1ST MARINE DIVISION, Operation Iraqi Freedom was one of the most thoroughly planned campaigns in history. Months of staff effort went into developing the complex schemes of maneuver and logistical procedures to enable the division to fight and support itself from the Kuwaiti border to Baghdad and beyond. To facilitate the planning process, General Mattis instituted several innovative approaches. The now famous Lego Drills were held at Camp Pendleton in December 2002 and January 2003, during which colored Lego pieces representing each of the 5000 division vehicles were moved sequentially over a terrain model. In Kuwait, several so-called Jersey Drills were held as Marines in colored jerseys, representing the different units, moved over a one-hundred-square-meter terrain model with amphitheater seating. Unit commanders, staff, aviation personnel, and higher and adjacent unit leaders observed these drills, as problems were resolved and plans refined to the smallest detail.

Of course, many of these well-laid plans changed as the operation unfolded, confirming the general belief among Marines that plans often (or even usually) go awry, but that the planning itself is vitally important. In fact, staff planning went on throughout Iraqi Freedom. One staff officer, Colonel George Milburn stated: “You have to replan continuously. Once we begin executing, we’ll continue to plan. Our job is to make sure that we can take care of any contingency that comes up. I honestly believe that . . . as Americans, we’re going to do that anyway. We’ll plan for the last day.”

Christians seem to have their own special outlook on the subject of planning. I have often heard fellow believers talk about their plans for the future and then conclude with the remark, “Well, we know that God laughs at our plans.” This is a healthy perspective if it gives us pause to pray more diligently and to seek assurance from God that our plans are in accordance with His. However, as the Marines say, the planning itself is extremely important. God honors our efforts to look ahead, to “count the cost,” and prepare for the future—even for the Last Day.