It is really a bizarre process. There are two main pathways. The money route is one: contractors, lobbyists, sometimes a military champion, Congress and then filters down the chain from the Secretary. The other pathway is via the action officers (mostly majors and Lieutenant Colonels), sometimes contractor influence here too, responding to a question or problem that flows down hill. Often the response is jumbled and nothing happens. That is why I created a conspiracy of action officers. Each one would move the answer forward in their area and indoctrinate their replacement to do the same thing. When the question / crisis flowed down hill, the same response would be given to the full colonels, who would respond to the general or generals with my guys said this. All the responses would be the same and create instant agreement. Often it would take longer than desired before the question / crisis flowed down. So many things we could have created a decade or more sooner.

A visionary can really move things along if they are creative. The problem arises when the visionary moves on. Stupid things can happen.

Remember: An idea that captures the imagination is very powerful and doesn’t die easily. And briefings can gain a life of their own.

My current efforts are in high leverage toys (a step below revolutionary) and revolutionary strategies. All sweat equity at the moment.

Oops. Dang auto correct. Libya. I did lead it astray by reversing the y and i.