Student ambassadors

The “OODA Loop,” designed by US Air Force Colonel John Boyd, can assist you in responding to a crisis. OODA stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act. During a crisis, individuals become aware of a potentially dangerous situation (OBSERVE). Next, individuals are encouraged to ORIENT themselves to the situation so they can determine response options. The next step is to DECIDE on the best possible response based on what is known at the time. Finally, an action plan is carried out (ACT).

The OODA Loop encourages individuals to use critical thinking and decision making skills to prepare and respond to situations and opponents. The loop continues as the situation evolves and new decisions and actions may need to be made.

  • Observe – Utilize all five senses, not just sight, to glean information about the situation.
    The more information you have, the more accurate your perceptions will be.
  • Orient – Understand the meaning of what you are observing. Analyze the information available.
  • Decide – Weigh options available and pick one. Changes to your decision can be triggered by new information as you continue to learn more about the situation.
  • Act – Carry out the decision. As you judge the effects of your action, you circle back to “Observe” in a continuous loop.
ODDA chart