A military command and control function must reduce complexity and resolve uncertainty when confronted by unexpected events, and be able to apply existing knowledge in new situations. Organizational memory research is therefore one of the relevant command and control research approaches.

We present observations from a staff exercise, which illuminate some organizational memory processes and structures. An analogy to organizational memory is the bootstrap in a computer, which is the permanent program that initiates the operating system at switch on. The memory flexibly supports communication, the power structure and an organizational structure. It also builds a frame reference for the interpretation of events. Personal communication is important for the organizational memory function.