David K. Corrin - CRITICAL THINKING

How Critical Thinking Develops Problem-Solving Skills

In public service, critical thinking is a developed skill that leads to effective problem-solving. By strategically utilizing my analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing traits, I have developed a broader ability to become a critical thinker. With the ability to process important information under high stress, I have become an important figure of leadership, both on the battlefield and within the Longview Fire Department organization where I currently work. On the battlefield, adapting combat operational plans required me to analyze data, evaluate the validity of counterintelligence, and develop a reaction plan to contingent actions on the battlefield. As I transitioned into civilian life and became a firefighter and paramedic, I have continued to develop and use these critical thinking skills.

Image: Mission preparedness requires critical thinking. Pre-mission photo.

Analyzing Behind Enemy Lines

Critical thinking skills facilitated my mission planning process, which was required before each combat operation to identify possible dangers to my soldiers. This required analyzing previous data and new intelligence to determine the likelihood of attacks from insurgents. Each combat mission posed its own inherited dangers, so success required me to analyze the situation to identify threats. Threats included improvised explosive devices (IED’s), high value targets (insurgents), and climate conditions. I spent hours prior to each operation analyzing previous data and intelligence that led to a more successful mission. It was my job as the team-lead to continually analyze the insurgents’ next movements as they threatened our mission objectives. This allowed my soldiers to keep their eyes and minds free for the next enemy contact. Each mission is different from the mission we operated on the day before. Therefore, analyzing the mission before activation required three critical steps: conduct mission briefs, walk through exercises, and discuss any contingencies that may be of concern for our team. This routine exercise brought unity to our team and allowed everyone to be on the same page with information that I had gained. Through 83 confirmed enemy contacts, over 12 very long months, I can proudly say that I brought my team home with not a single wounded or killed in action. For an active infantry team attached to special operations teams, this achievement is almost unheard of. My high stress analyzing skills were instrumental to building the foundation of my evaluation skills, which would later be better tested as a paramedic in my current career.

Under Pressure Evaluation Process

Evaluation requires assessing the credibility of information, arguments, or claims using evidence, logic, and reasoning. As I am dispatched for a medical call, I begin to evaluate important information that has been provided to the 911 call taker. The reporting parties are often not trained medical professionals and can only provide their observations. More complex calls such as cardiac arrest, strokes, sepsis, altered mental status and major trauma require a very in-depth evaluation process for a strategic treatment plan. Being able to make decisions comes from the foundation of patient assessments, predetermined protocols, and the use of critical thinking skills. As a provider for critically ill and trauma patients, I am often required to make evaluations with limited information and at a moment’s notice. I continue to prove my proficiency as a paramedic by the multiple citations I have been recognized with from the Longview Regional Medical Center Trauma Team for prehospital field treatment. I take immense pride in knowing I am representing my department, my family, and myself with this knowledge and skill. As I have built upon the skills of analyzing and evaluating under high-stress situations, it has provided me with a clearer mind for synthesizing situations that are under a less-than-stressful parameter.

Image: Decisions we make in combat not only affect our goals but the livelihoods of the local populous. Myself with two local children in the Panarak Village of Badghis Province, Afghanistan.

Synthesizing Outside the Box

Synthesizing combines different pieces of information or ideas to form new insights or solutions. I recently employed synthesis while mitigating and redrafting the standard operating procedures for the Longview Fire Department Honor Guard. After a retiree died a heroic and tragic death, he was given honors at his funeral outside of what is normally given to our retirees. This caused some tension among other retirees as they felt he was treated differently. I had to reevaluate what the standard operating procedures permitted us to perform and field the complaints of those who were entitled to the benefits of the honor guard. I then led a committee that adopted a new operating procedure and submitted it to the administration for approval. By utilizing the old policies as an outline, we added new parameters as to what each level of service would be granted. This maintains the integrity of a true line of duty death and burial rights. It was then important to my synthesizing skill development to communicate the new policy to the department and the retirees. Presenting the new policy demonstrated my ability to mitigate problems and develop new solutions that suited the needs of those we serve. Although not well received by all stakeholders, I was able to demonstrate the leadership actions of synthesizing through the process of policy development.

Conclusion

By cultivating critical thinking skills, I can enhance my ability to analyze complex situations and make sound judgments that lead to organizational growth. Evaluation continues to be my strongest feature in my problem-solving process. My patients’ lives depend upon my evaluation of their condition and treatments in the prehospital setting. Critical thinking is an essential skill in education, professional settings, and everyday life, as it enables me to make informed decisions and navigate an increasingly complex and information-rich world.