Master the OODA Loop: Boost Your Situational Awareness Today

In a crisis, hesitation can cost you. Whether it’s a fast-moving threat or a subtle shift in your surroundings, your ability to quickly assess, decide, and act can mean the difference between safety and disaster. That’s where the OODA Loop comes in—a powerful mental model developed for fighter pilots, now embraced by law enforcement, military units, and savvy civilians alike.

In this article, you’ll discover how to use the OODA Loop to sharpen your situational awareness, outthink threats, and gain the upper hand in unpredictable situations. It’s not about paranoia—it’s about staying one step ahead.

An Example of How the OODA Loop & Situational Awareness Work

This video illustrates what the actions of one observant, prepared, and brave person can accomplish.

In this case, Jon Meis was a Seattle Pacific University student security guard. Meis survived an active shooter incident and saved lives.  Meis did so by, knowingly or unknowingly, employing the principles of OODA loop situational awareness. He…

• …observed the sound of the shooting.
• …oriented himself to the presence of the shooter.
• …decided to take positive action when the shooter began reloading.
• …acted, disarming the shooter, securing the weapon, and disarming the shooter of a second weapon before he could do further harm.

Jon Meis epitomizes the classic example of OODA loop situational awareness, whether it was deliberate or not. When he quickly became aware of the issue and assessed that it was needed, Jon was ready and willing to take decisive and effective action.  In so doing, he saved his life and the lives of unknown numbers of other students.

What is the OODA Loop & Situational Awareness

As I mentioned in the intro, Colonel John Boyd was a U.S. Air Force Pilot and a great military strategist.  His OODA loop philosophy helped fighter pilots to combat their opponents better. It did so by helping them to out-think their enemies by using a systematic thought process. This allowed them to make better decisions faster.

Eventually, it proved so useful that it became a primary core philosophy of preparedness that applies to all aspects of life, business, and survival.

Let's break down the OODA Loop situational awareness philosophy step by step.

Observe

Preparing for a situation like this is not difficult.  What is difficult is identifying the problem, or in this case, the threat.  There are far too many examples of people needlessly suffering because they failed to recognize a problem was about to occur.  They failed when the issue should have been identifiable.

Therefore, do not fail; start every day with a commitment to yourself.  You must commit to using your powers of observation and situational awareness to identify developing situations.  Does this mean you move throughout your day, paranoid and on edge? No, it means you listen to your gut.  It means you take in the environment around you.  It means you look for things that you think are not normal.

Also, it means being open to the signals sent by your subconscious. Do you ever get a nervous or anxious feeling for no reason? If you do, it may be your subconscious trying to alert you to something it's picking up. Unfortunately, our subconscious mind, it's not able to speak with us when it detects a possible problem. So, instead, our subconscious tries to alert us through sensations in our bodies. Some call this our sixth sense and they might be right. What is certain though, is for our subconscious mind to alert us to problems, we need to be open to receiving the signals it sends us.

Orient

When you do observe something that doesn't seem reasonable or makes your sixth sense poke you, you need to take notice. Pay attention to the situation and what is happening around it.  Try to identify what it is that doesn't seem right. As you do, you'll be one step ahead, processing the events and figuring out the unfolding situation.

Decide

After orienting yourself to the situation, you will decide upon a course of action. That decision may be to do nothing because, in your assessment, the situation isn't threatening, nor even an issue.  However, that decision may be to get actively involved as student hero Jon Meis did.  If you have young children with you, your decision might be to get out of the area as quickly as possible.

Regardless of what you do, make a decision.  Do not stand there, frozen, like a lookie-loo on a Southern California freeway.  Make a decision!

Act

Once you make your decision, it's time for action.  When you initiate your course of action, do so with commitment and determination.  Maybe your chosen course of action is to leave the area because there is no threat.  If so, then leave while continuing to remain vigilant.

However, if your course of action is like Jon Meis, to become involved, then do so with a 100-percent commitment. Anything less than 100-percent engagement decreases your chances of a desirable outcome.  Go hard or go home. So, remember when taking action, be like a momma bear saving her cub; relentless and in total survival mode.

How the OODA Loop Applies to Everyday Situations

The OODA Loop isn't just for fighter pilots or tactical teams—it's a powerful mental tool that can improve everyday decision-making. Whether navigating a difficult conversation, reacting to a suspicious situation in a parking lot, or adjusting plans during a crisis, the OODA Loop helps you stay ahead by structuring your thought process.

Practical Examples:

• Driving: Spotting aggressive drivers (Observe), interpreting their behavior (Orient), choosing whether to speed up or slow down (Decide), and then acting safely.
• Home Security: Hearing a noise at night and quickly assessing whether it's a threat or a false alarm.
• Preparedness Planning: Observing global news, orienting yourself with your local risks, deciding on a course of action, and taking steps to prepare accordingly.

When practiced regularly, this loop becomes second nature—enhancing your situational awareness and ability to make calm, confident decisions under pressure.

The Bottom Line on OODA Loop & Situational Awareness

If you follow the basic premise of the OODA loop situational awareness philosophy, you can become better prepared to overcome difficult situations that may arise.

By noticing what goes on around you earlier, making better decisions faster, and taking confident action, you will help yourself be better able to survive and thrive in any situation.

Have you ever used the OODA Loop in a real-world situation? Share your experience or tips in the comments below—your insight could help someone else stay safer and more prepared!

Additional Resources:

• Situational Awareness: Staying Alert and Staying Safe
• How to Spot Trouble Before It Starts: Situational Awareness Tips
• Master Situational Awareness (Effective Decision-Making)
• OODA Loop: Your Secret Weapon