Importance of Critical Thinking

The Importance of Critical Thinking

Bianca Raschelle Olivo

PHL/320

January 9, 2017

Chris M. Mendoza

MEMORANDUM

TO:         Bianca Olivo
FROM:         Bianca Olivo
DATE:         January 09, 2017
SUBJECT:         The Importance of Critical Thinking

As I had expressed earlier in the class critical thinking is the ability to reason in a manner that is considered objective, taking into consideration all possible outcomes to determine or come up with the best possible solution for the issue at hand.

Background information

A real life experience I have had where I had to put critical thinking to use would be when I was working in Afghanistan. My company Afghan Vertical Logistics Solutions (AVLS) was contracted by the Department of Defense to provide aerial support to various Forward Operating Bases (FOB’s). AVLS contracted a Colombian company called Vertical Aviation (VA) to provide fixed and rotary wing pilots to man our operations in Afghanistan.

Information on the climate and conditions in Afghanistan

Contrary to popular belief, Afghanistan is a mountainous landlocked country located between South and Central Asia. This war-torn country shares borders with Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Pakistan, China, and India. Afghanistan as a whole has clearly defined seasons where the summers are hot, and the winters are cold and arid. The temperature in the summer months can get up to 120 degrees Ferinheight, and mid-winter temperatures can get to as little as 15 degrees Ferinheight. Temperatures can also vary within a single day ranging between sub-freezing at dawn and into the upper 90’s around noon.

Colombian Crews Working in Afghanistan

Most of the Colombian Pilots working on the project were ex-Colombian Airforce, pilots. Considering Colombia uses a class system pilots in Colombia especially those with a military background tend to act like they are a class above the average person. These workers typically come from economically privileged families. They expect to be treated and have better accommodations than the average person.

In Colombian culture technicians and inspectors are considered blue collar workers. Regardless of the extensive schooling and intelligence required to be an aircraft technician or inspector, they are still looked down upon, usually receiving subpar accommodations. These workers tend to come from a background with less financial resources, and the workers have a tendency to be more humble.