1.13b Analysis

1.13b Analysis mjb116

Analysis

The second cognitive skill is analysis. Analysis is to identify the intended and actual inferential relationships among statements, questions, concepts, descriptions, or other forms of representation intended to express belief, judgment, experiences, reasons, information, or opinions. In normal English, it means to take things apart to understand how they work.

semi-truck carrying supplies burns after enemy strike in Iraq, 2003
US Army M-915 semi-truck with 40-foot M872 trailer burning on MSR Tampa, Iraq, 2003. Many trucks were destroyed by enemy action. This truck could not take the heat, and the engine spontaneously combusted. The crew got out safely. Fortunately, it was carrying bottled water and not ammunition or fuel.
Credit: M. Corson © Penn State is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Used with permission. 

Having gained situational understanding via extensive visits to every transportation node, base, and unit, the BC and his staff were able to start deconstructing and charting many moving pieces of the theater distribution effort. Some parts of the operation seemed very clear-cut. Other parts of the operation were hampered by differing perceptions, variable willingness, and in some cases, outright lies, fraud, theft, and waste. Not everything was black and white—that was for sure. Oh—and don’t forget the enemy had a vote and they showed their displeasure with the US presence.

remnants of a humvee military vehicle after bing destroyed by improvised explosive device
US Army HUMVEE after striking an improvised explosive device in Iraq, 2003. Major enemy insurgent action came as a shock in the summer of 2003. Then it became the norm for the next decade.
Credit: M. Corson © Penn State is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Used with permission. 

The three sub-skills of analysis are examining ideas, detecting arguments, and analyzing arguments.