What is the 10-10-10 rule in the military?

The 10-10-10 rule is a commonly taught time management and decision-making framework used in military leadership and planning. It is not a formal regulation but a practical cognitive tool to help service members, especially leaders, assess situations and make sound judgments under pressure.

The rule involves asking three sequential questions about the potential consequences of a decision:

1. What are the consequences of this decision in 10 minutes?
2. What are the consequences in 10 months?
3. What are the consequences in 10 years?

By forcing a deliberate consideration of immediate, medium-term, and long-term outcomes, the rule helps prevent rash decisions that might solve a short-term problem but create a larger crisis later. It encourages strategic thinking beyond the immediate tactical moment. For example, a leader might use it when considering disciplinary action, a tactical maneuver, or a resource allocation decision.

This concept is taught in various professional military education courses and is part of a broader philosophy of developing critical thinking skills in complex and ambiguous environments.

For information on other military processes and standards, you can learn about physical disqualification rates at MEPS.

The 10-10-10 rule is popularized in civilian contexts as well, notably by author and columnist Suzy Welch. You can read about its broader application in decision-making from sources like Harvard Business Review.