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fighting positions in the jungle or holding security on a remote hilltop. And yes—this framework was built for exactly that: soldiers under pressure, limited time, and the constant threat of being overwhelmed.
But here’s the truth:
The same priorities that keep soldiers alive can also protect the business executive facing heavy competition, the coach overwhelmed by demands, and the teacher managing 150 students and a stack of deadlines.
The military knows how to bring order to chaos. The Priorities of Work do exactly that.
Let’s break down what they are—and how they apply far beyond the battlefield.
What Are the Priorities of Work?
In the Defense, the Army teaches a structured sequence of tasks a unit must complete to establish security, stability, and readiness. While variations exist, the core priorities typically include:
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Security
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Positioning & Sectors of Fire
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Communication
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Work/Rest Cycles
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Weapons & Equipment Maintenance
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Improving Fighting Positions
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Logistics & Resupply
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Planning & Rehearsals
These priorities are not random. They are designed to keep the unit alive, effective, and prepared—especially under pressure.
Now let’s translate each one into civilian leadership.
1. Security — Protecting What Matters First
In the Army, security is the first priority because nothing else matters if the unit is vulnerable.
In civilian life, “security” means:
• Protecting your schedule
• Protecting your energy
• Protecting your people
• Protecting your mission from distractions
• Protecting your business from competitors or threats
Executives “under attack” from competitors must secure:
• Customer base
• Intellectual property
• Brand trust
• Key relationships
• Core revenue streams
Before you innovate, expand, or fix anything—you secure what keeps you alive.
2. Positioning — Putting the Right People in the Right Roles
In a platoon, soldiers establish positions and sectors of fire.
In organizations, this means:
• Clarifying responsibilities
• Assigning roles intentionally
• Eliminating overlap and confusion
• Ensuring everyone knows their “sector”
A team without clear roles is like a defensive line with no assigned fields of fire—chaos waiting to happen.
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3. Communication — Keeping Everyone
Informed and Connected
In the defense, communication ensures units know:
• What’s happening
• Where everyone is
• What’s coming next
• How to respond to threats
In businesses and schools, communication:
• Prevents confusion
• Reduces mistakes
• Builds trust
• Keeps the team aligned
• Allows rapid adaptation
A team that communicates well can absorb pressure without falling apart.
4. Work/Rest Cycles — Preventing Burnout
Soldiers cannot pull security forever. Leaders must enforce rest cycles.
Executives, teachers, and coaches often forget this concept entirely.
Rest is not a luxury.
Rest is a priority of work.
Teams need:
• Time off
• Mental clarity
• Emotional resets
• Sustainable schedules
A burned-out team is an ineffective team—no matter the industry.
5. Weapons & Equipment Maintenance — Keeping Tools Ready
For soldiers, this means:
• Cleaning weapons
• Checking radios
• Inspecting gear
For civilian leaders, it means keeping your tools ready:
• Technology
• Systems
• Processes
• Curriculum
• Playbooks
• Skills and competencies
If your tools fail under pressure, the mission fails with them.
6. Improving the Fighting Position — Continuous Improvement
This is one of my favorite parts of Army doctrine.
Even when everything is set, soldiers continue improving:
• Better cover
• Better camouflage
• Better angles
• Better routes
In civilian terms, this means:
• Refining systems
• Strengthening weak spots
• Improving communication
• Updating SOPs
• Becoming more efficient
• Innovating before the competition does
Leaders don’t wait for problems—they prepare for them.
7. Logistics — Resourcing the Mission
A platoon cannot fight without:
• Ammo
• Water
• Batteries
• Supplies
Organizations cannot function without:
• Budgets
• Staff
• Time
• Training
• Clear workflows
If logistics fail, everything fails.
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| Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash |
What’s Next
Soldiers rehearse contingencies and upcoming missions.
Leaders do the same when they:
• Hold strategy meetings
• Run “what-if” scenarios
• Prepare for competition
• Train for change
• Coach teams through transitions
Rehearsal turns chaos into confidence.
Why This Applies Everywhere
Because pressure isn’t limited to the battlefield.
Teachers face pressure daily.
Coaches face pressure weekly.
Executives face pressure constantly.
Families face pressure quietly.
Small teams face pressure unexpectedly.
The Priorities of Work give leaders:
• Clarity
• Order
• Focus
• Discipline
• Predictability
• Confidence
It’s a system for keeping your team calm while the world around you is anything but.
Final Thought
The Priorities of Work in the Defense were written for platoons digging in under stress—but their principles apply to anyone leading a team under pressure.
Position your people.
Communicate clearly.
Protect your energy.
Maintain your tools.
Continuously improve.
Resource your mission.
Plan ahead.
These steps won’t just make your team stronger—they’ll make your leadership unshakable.
Teach. Coach. Lead.
JVD
Sources & Credits
The Priorities of Work in the Defense are outlined in U.S. Army infantry doctrine, including FM 3-21.8 (The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad) and Ranger Handbook (SH 21-76). Interpretations here translate those priorities for civilian leadership and organizational settings.
This post was drafted with the assistance of AI (ChatGPT) and edited by Mr. VanDusen.
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