Not knocking companies that build overseas. Some things need to be built there for a variety of reasons that we can get into later if you guys want to, but it costs more to build things in America. It’s that simple. Unfortunately, Americans have been sucked in by the big box stores and the notion that they can buy 4 T-shirts for $3. You can’t apply that same pricing model to products made by your fellow Americans. For one thing, the workers themselves make at least minimum wage. Additionally, there are a great deal of taxes and fees associated with running a business here in the US. And, everybody wants their cut, from the federal to the state to the county and city governments.

Then, there’s an entire supply chain involved in the manufacture of that product. In very simple terms, they provide the raw materials, transportation and physical plant to facilitate the manufacture and delivery of a product. They all employ people and their pricing is driven by their costs. And, don’t forget that pesky fuel cost that plays havoc with pricing across the entire value chain.

Finally, the merchant you purchase your Made in USA! product from has to make a buck. And remember, he has to pay employees and overhead and taxes as well. It all adds up.

We haven’t even delved into the costs of R&D which also have to be recouped. Some firms choose to see a return up front and then drop the price while others attempt to amortize cost over multi-year production.

I see a lot of grousing over pricing on here. Whether made domestically or offshore, a great deal of cost has to be captured and defrayed. It’s even more expensive to make it here. So consider what goes into a product when you look at a price tag. Don’t get sticker shock. Know what goes into the products you are purchasing. Be an informed consumer.

I’ve noticed a LOT of negative comments lately toward products featured on SSD. Generally, I don’t mind negative comments so long as they are constructive in nature. However, many have been mean spirited. Some have been by readers who don’t have anything to say, but that doesn’t seem to stop them from trying. Quite frankly, both sorts have gotten old.

I realize we have quite a few new readers here so I am going to remind folks that although this is the internet, on SSD readers should conduct themselves as though they are having a face to face conversation. Constructive criticism is encouraged but quippy, “you suck” comments will not be tolerated. This isn’t the place for it. The written word is a powerful tool and you can say a lot, positive or negative, without being ugly about it. Learn how. It will take you far in life.

Thank You…

This is our 5000th active post in just under 4 years of publication as SSD. So say, “Hip, Hip, Huzzah” three times for us and then back to work.

One of my sons found out his brother had received a new pair of swim trunks. He told me that he needed a pair as well. So, I asked him if it was a requirement or a desirement. He said, “wait, now I’m confused.” Now that I think about it, I’d venture to say that he isn’t the only one. Back in the dark ages, before the war, we used to get asked if a piece of gear we wanted to purchase was mission essential or mission enhancing but the fairly free flow of OCO dollars has meant that most any whim was met with a purchase. You’re probably realizing that those days are over.

Your unit isn’t going to have much money. It may already be an issue. Hopefully, it won’t be as rough as the bad old days, but you’ll need to ask yourself if you really need the unit to purchase that new knife, or eye pro, or day pack. Or, can you purchase it yourself (that’s what we had to do), or do without?

Do an analysis and be prepared to actually justify the impact of the gear on the mission if it passes the “smell” test. Save the silver bullets for real needs and be ready to invest a little personal cash in the things you’ve taken for granted these past 10 years.

Army Special Forces officer Grant Martin wrote a piece for ‘Small Wars Journal’ on effective Disruptive Thinking. Very good article and well worth your time to go read it. Make sure you check out ‘Disruptive Thinkers: The Disruptive Poets Society.’

I was actually encouraged and cultivated to serve as a disruptive thinker during various parts of my career. Unfortunately, the institution I served, as unconventional as it was, wasn’t entirely made up of the open minded. The institution isn’t a monolith and that goes both ways. Conventional units will have freethinkers and SOF will have their dogmatic followers of the status quo. The military attracts joiners and you have to be aware of that. Some folks are more than happy to be cogs in the machine, as clunky as it might be. And, you will often work for someone who is really good at going with the flow and getting promoted. Generally, these types are staff officers or XOs and serve as door keepers. Be prepared for that. Instead of looking at you as an asset they will feel that you are upsetting the boat. When possible, wait them out or learn how to co-opt them.

I have interesting perspective having served in both the Army and Air Force, with most of that service in SOCOM organizations or other similar assignments. Over the years I learned a couple of things that initially didn’t make sense to me as a disruptive thinker. First off, it’s pretty hard to think outside the box if you don’t know where the edges of that box are. Learn doctrine cold. Then, take a look at how you actually do business. This is where disruptive thinking begins; in the seams between doctrine and reality.

Second, it’s ok that the institution resists change. Not every idea is a good one so it’s actually a good thing that the military doesn’t change how it does business willy nilly. Make sure the idea is worth it and be prepared to defend it in the context of doctrine.

Next, don’t make long-term changes based on one person. Once I had a boss ask me, short of cloning, how we could another me once I PCSed to my next assignment. They had created a duty position that was uniquely me, much like this website. I had a skillset that was outside of my careerfield and there was no way that they were going to get someone like me at my grade level with my experience. They had to reconsider what that duty position’s value was to the command once I left.

Real change isn’t made with fielding a new widget. Don’t confuse wanting to buy a piece of kit with disruptive thinking. In particular understand DOTMLPF. Real change is generally effected in other ways than kit and that shiny new piece of gear often requires changes in other areas well including organization, logistics and training.

Keep change simple. Like Albert Einstein said, “Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex… It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.”

Finally, only try to fix one thing at a time. The institution isn’t prepared to make wholesale change. Often, to effect what you see as real change, you feel that a lot has to happen. Instead, analyze your concept and the institution. Look for that one item that will not only improve the institution but also make them open to more of your suggestions. Remember that door keeper I mentioned above? Look at your idea from his perspective – Red team yourself.

Chances are good, if you’re an SSD reader, you are constantly looking at how to do things better. Learn to harness those thoughts and look at things from different points of view in order to anticipate friction points. When you are ready to present them, know your audience and seek out buy in.