Two points -- because jbrown is spot-on.
First, every 11Bravo (the US Army Infantry MOS) has the ability to "pull the trigger" without asking for permission. The "rules" are all decided before you ever get into the situation, as jbrown describes. It is the backbone of our Services from probably the Revolutionary War. You are taught the "rules of engagement" and are thus, authorized, to engage when necessary. The fact that in some instances people ask a higher authority "permission to engage" not withstanding, we teach our soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen what to do and when, then expect them to do it. Jbrown has it right for Marines, and for the Army too. In actuality, it is a main difference between us and the old Soviet regime, which was driven top-down. We, with our tremendous NCO corps, are bottom up. In reality, it is the difference between our two systems of government.
Second, the
Situation, Mission, Execution, Administration and logistics, and Command and Communications (as I remember it! ) as JBrown says, "known as a SMEAC" is the source of the derogatory term "Smack" when used for a lowly person in an officer training status, at least in the US Army. I'll bet, too, that's the genesis of its use to describe 4-digs at USAFA. In years past, it was used on lowly officer trainees to get them to commit it to memory, because it is a useful checklist for any operations plan and operations order when you are under fire. No matter what's going on, if you can remember SMEAC you cover most all bases needed. I have used it many times in many situations, including things as innocuous as going on a camping trip, since I first learned it, long ago....
Thank you, jbrown, "for the memories!"
Now, jbrown, did you use the term "bean-head" too?