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The Army is known for its discipline, planning, and ability to execute under pressure. But one of the most underrated tools the Army uses to build confident, adaptive leaders doesn’t involve a single soldier firing a weapon or stepping onto a training range.
It’s called a Tactical Exercise Without Troops, or TEWT.
A TEWT is simple:
You walk leaders through a scenario on the ground, in the actual terrain, without the full unit present. No troops. No equipment. No chaos. Just leaders, a map, and a problem to solve.
It helps leaders visualize, think, rehearse, and prepare before the real mission begins.
Here’s the best part:
TEWTs aren’t just for military operations.
They are a powerful tool for business teams, schools, coaches, and any organization facing complex challenges.
Let’s break it down.
What Is a TEWT?
A Tactical Exercise Without Troops is a leadership-focused walkthrough in the real environment where a task or mission will take place.
The Army uses TEWTs to:
• Review terrain
• Run leaders through contingencies
• Identify blind spots
• Practice communication
• Walk step-by-step through a mission before executing it
It is the perfect blend of planning and reality.
Now let’s translate that into the civilian world.
Why TEWTs Matter Outside the Military
Civilian leaders deal with complexity, too:
• Tight timelines
• High-pressure events
• Competing priorities
• New initiatives
• Personnel challenges
• Operational uncertainty
And just like military leaders, civilian leaders benefit from seeing the environment before they execute.
A TEWT is essentially a “practice run” for leaders—without the risk, cost, or stress of real-time consequences.
TEWTs for Educators
Teachers, administrators, and school leaders can use TEWTs to prepare for:
• Fire drills and safety protocols
• First-day-of-school procedures
• Testing logistics
• Parent-night events
• Building evacuations
• Assemblies and hallway flow
• Sub procedures
• Field trips
Example:
Walk through how students will enter, where backup materials are stored, how the transitions will work, and what happens if technology fails.
A TEWT turns chaos into confidence.
TEWTs for Coaches
Photo by Jeffrey F Lin on Unsplash
Coaches can use TEWTs for:
• Game-day field walkthroughs
• Special teams rehearsals
• Practice organization
• Facility layouts
• Travel and pregame logistics
• Weather contingencies
Example:
Walk the field to see sightlines, spacing, how the wind is blowing, where communication will happen, and what adjustments may be needed.
This gives players a smoother, calmer experience—and gives coaches far fewer surprises.
TEWTs for Business Leaders
This is where TEWTs become incredibly powerful.
Business teams can use TEWTs before:
• Large presentations
• Conferences
• New product rollouts
• Customer visits
• Hiring events
• Crisis-response rehearsals
• Company-wide meetings
• Office redesigns
• Big launches
A TEWT in business is simply:
Walk the space.
Review the plan.
Talk through contingencies.
Check the friction points.
Fix problems before they happen.
Executives use TEWTs to:
• Reduce risk
• Improve clarity
• Strengthen communication
• Prepare teams for success
• Predict challenges before they escalate
It’s like conducting a “ground rehearsal” before going live.
Why TEWTs Work Everywhere
1. They expose problems early.
You see what won’t work before the stakes are high.
2. They build leader confidence.
Leaders rehearse decisions in the real environment, not a conference room.
3. They improve team coordination.
Everyone sees the same space, same obstacles, same plan.
4. They reduce confusion.
Clarity replaces assumption.
5. They strengthen mission readiness.
Teachers, coaches, and business leaders can apply TEWTs to anything involving people, space, timing, or complex tasks.
In short:
TEWTs save time, reduce stress, and increase performance.
Final Thought
The Army doesn’t use TEWTs because they’re convenient.
They use them because they work.
Whether you’re preparing a classroom, a locker room, or a boardroom, a TEWT gives you clarity before the chaos. It helps you predict problems, strengthen communication, and build confidence in your team.
Talk through the task.
Identify the friction.
Fix it early.
A few minutes of TEWT saves hours of stress.
Plus, it's really funny to say!
Teach.
Coach.
Lead.
Sources & Credits
TEWTs (Tactical Exercises Without Troops) are outlined in Army leadership, operations, and training doctrine, including ATP 3-21.8 and FM 7-0. Interpretations here translate TEWT concepts for civilian leadership, education, coaching, and organizational planning.
This post was drafted with the assistance of AI (ChatGPT) and edited by Mr. VanDusen.
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