How familiar exercise patterns can mislead officers

Is it easy for an officer to make a mistake even when they know better?

Yes. Familiar exercises can encourage a commander to predict the wrong enemy action and commit forces to positions that no longer fit the real situation.

Mistakes remain easy even for officers who understand the relevant doctrine. The danger is often premature pattern recognition rather than ignorance. A commander sees a familiar exercise scenario, predicts the expected sequence, and deploys forces to meet it. If the enemy chooses a different course, those sensible preparations can leave the force badly positioned.