This is a touchy subject and a sensitive matter I am going to discuss politics, race relations and police killings. Yeah, I can already see my haters lining up to try to start trouble but fuck'em... If my cursing offends you or seems unprofessional welcome to America and my right to say fuck'em, now grow up and quit being a pussy... Yes I called you a fucking pussy, if being offended hurts your feelings then lets get right to it.
This is America and it is an issue not of political parties, races, cultures or income levels, it is a matter of ideas and expectations. What is coming to America is a financial collapse, race wars, civil unrest, terrorism and martial law. What is coming is a matter of personal survival and how well we as a nation survive this together. We are not a unified nation, we don't have a common history like the other nations and our nation was built on conquest of the native population simply because they were technologically under developed compared to most of our European Ancestors.
America has had some laws and policies which discriminated against, abused and degraded people in this nation simply because of the color of their skin and the home of their ancestors. I won't apologize for it, I didn't have a say in it and it happened before I was even born. Should we forget it? Hell No! That is a part of American History, a dark part of our history but a part none-the-less. However, many of those crimes against our citizens have been resolved and people like Colin Kaepernick who address those crimes of the past are in my eyes diminishing the sacrifices and fight of those who came before to remedy the situation. Imagine an act where some protested Blacks being forced to sit on the back of the bus... They aren't forced to do so now because Rosa Parks already fought that battle. It is not saying we should forget the past but, that fighting for the wrongs someone else has already fought to right is a bit unrealistic. Think about Colin Kaepernick's whole claim about the National Anthem being racist because American Slaves took up arms for the British in Canada to win their freedom. Yes, that is a historical fact and one in which Kaepernick was right about, however it says nothing of British slaves who were still slaves, long after the US ended slavery by-the-way... So what is my point? That Slaves fighting against slave owners for their freedom in support of another nation which was slave owners and kept their slaves in chains is a bit, repetitive... Ever hear the saying "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss." Well this is Kaepernick's argument especially since it makes zero sense to protest something that is a) a historical event which we can't change (unless Marty or Dr. Brown will let borrow their car) and b) why protest something so pointless... if you want to gain attention to an historical event then god their are other and better ways to do so (at least in many people's eyes, I don't care it nothing I can change but thanks for the history lesson).
Now Colin Kaepernick's newest protest which makes more sense has to do with Police Abuses of Power and American Civil Rights, but only if you are black or a minority. This offends me... So much on so many different levels first that such protests only go to provide for the Race War Narrative. This is just bad because Black cops kill more blacks then white cops, regardless such a narrative only pushes racial targeting of whites by black criminals who feel they are justified in doing so. This prevents Americans who ahppen to be black from seeing the real amd greater problem that this is an issue of those with political power and those without political power being victimized by those with political power.
I cannot in good continence simply obey orders that violate the rights of others. Having gone through my own trials of being falsely arrested and having my name slandered. My life virtually destroyed by lies and false evidence. I won a huge portion of my fight by openly challenging said corruption using a rather graphic hypothetical legal argument. Hell i even proved the Prosecutor of Raleigh County falsified evidence in my case. But... I DID ALL THIS USING THE SYSTEM AND MY RIGHTS. Calls to violence in self-defense are fine but, they must be balanced with work within the system to change it.
Look this is America and the issue of civil rights is an American issue. I agree we still have issues of racism in this country but you cannot solve them by acting like a bunch of thuggish criminals. Doing so only divides people when we will need each other the most.
Add to this the approaching financial collapse of the many bubbles propping up the economy. Once this happens then many programs will cease to exist, including Social Security which has less people paying into it as jobs move overseas. I truly do think Trump will be a Savior in this area but, i am afraid of abuses of power under his watch from the police. Which gets up back to the American issue of Civil Rights violations and murders carried out by police officers.
The depreciation of our dollar backed by the rising cost of fuel will bring us into a world of rising crime. People often talk about the rising cost of living, the rising rates of substance abuse and fail to see why people turn to drugs... Becoming a scenic is popular and being mean to others is considered cool. Adults act like children and depending on the police is a joke... So people feel alone and hopeless.
Surviving all I went through with constant harassment by the police did involve some drug use on my part (I won't lie about it, psychiatrists call this "self-medicating" basically the only way to take my mind off threats to my family and myself was to lose touch with reality & I needed some chemical aid with that) but so did my faith in God. In fact, God played a very important role in my life during the Darkest of times for me. No... I am not going to convince you of my religious beliefs and I am not talking about religion. I am talking about faith, to steal a line from the movie Serenity "I don't care what you believe in just believe." I would like to think God was preparing me for the Darker Times I know are coming and the Bible even warns Christians (originally called Nazarine Jews, the term "Christian" was invented by the Romans) to prepare, if you read all of Mathew chapters 24 and 25 completely. I even covered this in Living Without Rapture. Am I trying to convince you of my religion now... No, I am saying Scripture Teaches "X" and if you are taught it is something else you might want to do some research because faith isn't something that is established with religions, it is simply what you choose to believe. So if you are "Christian" I suggest you read the Bible and follow the instructions of Jesus Christ, forget what your preacher, pastor or priest tells you if it is different from what Jesus taught.
We know what is coming but none of us can stop it and there is nothing you can do to stop it... Not petition, no protest and no amount of bitch and crying will stop this. The economy will collapse, civil unrest with break out and their will be different little factions trying to kill each other, as well as different little groups of people who aren't in a "faction."
So now that we know the problems... What are the answers?
First off there are hundreds of forums, facebook groups and web sites giving away free information and there are many books on survival at my own publishing company Shadow Warrior Publishing, as well as able to be bought at book stores and publishing houses.
With Poorman's Guide to Prepping 2 being an in the works project...
There is a simple plan that comes into action here...
Be prepared, develop a Strategy to Bug-In (hold down the house, apartment or whatever) AND Bug-Out (evacuate your home). That means yes getting gear, food and water stocked up. What gear do you need?
Lets keep it simple start with a bug-out bag, a good gun has to double for hunting and defense (AR15, AR10 or any AKM style weapon should be the primary tool here) & a handgun (doesn't matter because its a back up weapon, so if you need it you are in a very bad place to start with)...
Develop a Re-Supply Plan: You can't store enough food or water, so develop a plan to collect and filter water, grow food and raise small tasty animals (I suggest squirrels and chickens, maybe a goat) and yes this can be done in an apartment if you know how...
Develop a Survival Data Base or Virtual Library (Yes I have an old SHTF-Laptop just for this) & a Physical Library as well, the Physical Library needs to be small & potent (You might to bug-out with it)...
Develop multiple Bug-Out Plans, by vehicle, by water, by bike and on feet. You need a place to retreat to (family or friends) in all four cardinal directions...
Practice your plans at least once a year (though I am thinking it will start to break apart in far less time, like after the elections at this point), all of them...
I can't tell you how to save your own butt... I can warn you & suggest you get ready for what we all know is coming. After that is all on you. Just realize we do have an issue with police in this country and the outcry as well as the abuses of power didn't start when Obama took office. That we have issues of racism in this country, it didn't just go away because we repealed unjust and racist laws. We have issues with radical and racist influences in the police departments (the FBI even warn of the KKK infiltrating the police departments) and gangs in the military (many just as racist as the KKK). I am not saying to or not "trust cops" or "the military." I am saying "Do what you need to do to keep yourself alive and family safe." But don't pretend there isn't a problem with the police and with ourselves as a nation, like they say in rehab... Knowing you have a problem & admitting is the first step on the road to recovery.
Money might still be of value, the lights might be on & water might still come out the sink with your toilets still flushing but, you could just as easily face an increase in crime, rapes, murders, muggings and home invasions. Because if our nation's streets turn into a war zone, we might have no choice but to fight pitched battles to make it out alive... As for police protection? Well they will protect their families and the government, we the citizens don't mean much in that regard. Cops have no duty to protect the general public, so we to do whatever we need to do to get by.
Gun
fighting makes us think of Westerns & War Movies, it is the
foundation of the U.S. Army because whether you are a Cook, Clerk or
Infantryman you get to go through BCT or Basic Combat Training. This
means learning to operate as an individual marksmen & as part of
team of soldiers in combat scenario. One Mantra we are taught during
this time is Shoot, Move, Communicate & Kill...
Applying
this to teaching firearms training, either as part of the Patriot
Movement or as part of my own Black Dragon Ninjitsu course of
training is two fold. First off, anyone who has ever read Shadow
Hunter or Army of Shadows knows I stress individual tactics.
Secondly, anyone who has ever served in the Military, particularly
the U.S. Army or trained with me knows why. I stress these tactics as
guide posts and not hard set rules. There are no rules in a fight,
that includes tactically.
Allow
me to explain, I teach the individual tactics of Closing Fire &
Retreating Fire. This the element of shooting while on the move,
anyone who has every been in a shoot house knows you don't stop to
aim when shooting at the targets as you enter the room, this is
because if you stop the guy behind you crashes into you and you both
become “sitting ducks” for the enemy. So what do you do when, you
have to engage an enemy at 100 yards? You drop prone or run for
cover. What do you do in a hallway with no cover and an enemy at 50
feet or less? You shoot the enemy and close with to ensure you killed
the enemy or to disarm an injured enemy. The tactic of Closing Fire
exists to teach the principle of shooting while moving at close range
because the enemy may not be alone.
Retreating
Fire is used to teach the marksmen to fire while moving away. It
works at close range but outside of 75 yards isn't practical. The
idea of these tactics is to know the environment & conditions in
which certain concepts or tactics can be employed. Retreating Fire is
and has been used while pulling injured men behind cover while
attempting to Suppress an Enemy with Suppressive Fire, another tactic
I teach. Suppressive fire isn't shooting to kill or even injure the
target but, to keep the enemy's head down and behind cover allowing
you room to maneuver to gain a better advantage in a gun fight.
The
idea of shoot, move, communicate & kill is essential to how the
individual shooter needs to think and act in a combat scenario. Those
Individual Tactics are just a basic frame work for how one shoots &
moves. The Communicate part is what gets most civilian shooters,
including Law Enforcement. The Basic idea is pretty simple, Soldiers
don't always “talk to each other” they communicate through hand
and arm signals and through various prepared signals. For example,
does an Infantry Fire Team say they are going to shift & lift
fire as part of a React-to-Contact Drill? No... They use a Grenade or
Flash Bang Concussion Grenade to Signal the Flanking Teams movement
to Sweep the Objective. Why? Because we communicated before the
Battle, know the Signals, Trained the Signals and are Communicating
with our Actions.
This
means if you have a family or friends, and will be carrying a gun as
a soldier, law enforcement or even just an armed civilian you need
training to go with the shooting part and you need to Communicate
your intent via your actions. A reader of this blog Jake Roberts
posted a link to Kid's Tactical Vests in a comment on another blog
post. These vests are awesome, if your nine or, even if you just want
to teach your kids basic tactics and firearms safety (safety first).
Why is this such an awesome thing? Because it gives a parent who is
carrying their firearm an opportunity to “play” with their kids
and teach what to do if Mommy or Daddy has to use their Weapon to
defend themselves or their family (communication before the fight).
Kid's will know if the parent has to draw the gun to get behind them.
They will be drilled on what to do and this should be true of a
spouse, friends and so on.
So
you have to engage a threat, say knife wielding post apocalyptic
muggers in a parking lot of the local Grocery Store (it's my straw
man argument and I have SEAL Team 6 from 3016 be the bad guys OK). So
in Response to an Obvious threat, Daddy draws his Concealed Carry
Weapon, Mommy makes sure the kids are between her and her husband &
draws Concealed Carry Weapon, watching the kids and her husband's
“Six” and the Kids know to get between Mommy and Daddy, hold each
others hands and hold on to Mommy's belt. Mommy gets the kids to the
Car and Daddy takes a position behind cover to engage the post
apocalyptic muggers. This is all a made up scenario, a story, to
illustrate a point...
The
Point being that Communication took place before the Fight. That
Daddy doesn't need to tell the kids to get behind me, they already
know when Daddy draws his gun get behind Daddy & hold on to each
other's hands. Mommy already knows to Draw her gun and cover her
Husband's tail & make sure the kid's have hold of her. So
shooting and moving are fine but Communication is also a key
point.
Another straw man example, is a Concealed Carrier
shooting a person trying to rob a Convenience Store he or she is in.
The key issue of Communication is that the lawful shooter, needs to
drop his or weapon and lay face down on the ground when law
enforcement arrive. Why? Because this action, Communicates that the
Lawful Shooter is not resisting detainment and disarmament, i.e. is
not a Threat to Law Enforcement & probably won't result in the
Lawful Shooter being shot.
The
last part kill really doesn't apply unless one is in a combat
situation. The basic idea of Shoot, Move, Communicate, Kill as a
Mantra is basically teaching the foundation of U.S. Military Battle
Drills, the React-to-Contact Drill. Shoot means to establish
Suppressive Fire and pin the Enemy in Place. Move means to Flank the
Enemy that is pinned in place, moving behind available cover and
concealment. Communicate means to perform a pre-planned action that
will reveal one's intent to Sweep the Objective. Kill means to sweep
the objective and kill the enemy using Closing Fire at Close
Range.
So while I got your attention talking about guns and
Army tactics, allow me to explain how this applies to Martial Arts
and Self-Defense. Training should be done in phases,
1.
A learning phase of basic techniques...
2.
A basic training phase of practice conditioning those techniques...
3.
A advanced training phase of applying that conditioning and
techniques, usually through sparring & simulated Self-Defense
scenario drills to prepare a student to use those techniques in a
real world scenario.
Training
with prepared responses is only part of the drill, its the
conditioning element of the basic training phase. Because when you
“take training wheels off” you need to explore the world of
dynamic kinetic action & reaction. It is one thing to perform a
jujitsu kata of applying a technique against a non-resistant opponent
but, its very different to apply a technique against a resisting
opponent. That is the difference in how you train, knowing that
training is about phases and that it doesn't matter if you are
talking about training to use a firearm or your body as a weapon.
Training has to be dynamic and mimic the real world where the air
isn't air conditioned, the floor isn't covered in mats and the
injuries can stop your progress or end your life. There is no hard
rule of do or don't do this... There is a loose guide of do this and
adapt and adjust as needed once you understand the “finger pointing
to the Moon” isn't the goal, you need to set your sights higher.
Not long ago, I read a article called How To Travel When SHTF by Prepper's Will. I don't think its a bad article but I think it needs to provide some information about how to just that. So I've decided to write a blog explaining such tactics and techniques that should have been in Prepper's Will own blog.
While the cited article was focused on general information it was more like generalized things to do without much discription on how to do them. Many things addressed like securing you vehicle was covered in Poorman's Guide to Prepping: Economical Doomsday Survival available from Shadow Warrior Publishing for $14.95. Knowing what to do is only part of the solution, knowing how to do it is just as vital. As they say in G.I. Joe, "Knowing is half the battle." but they don't say doing is the other half.
Rule Number 1: Know your Area!
Terrain dictates tactics, so if you know your terrain you know know what tactics you are going to be dealing with. Terrain is not just about hills and valleys, swamps and deserts, urban or rural but who is in your area. Many Americans live in rural areas where the prepping lifestyle is a way of life and moving to these areas your "Prepping" is just a funny city-slicker way of say Red Neck Ingenuity or Common Sense to a Hill Billy. Some places in the woods locals don't go because they know there are pot fields, meth labs and people who will kill you to protect their supply. Police won't even go into those areas without going in force, having back up ready and air support. So know not only the hills and valleys but the people you are dealing with.
Travel on Foot:
Travel on foot may be unavoidable and while I somewhat agree with Prepper's Will about travelling at night, night time is more likely to get you shot for being mistaken for a looter or burglar. In some cases you may need to travel alone, car breaks down and you have to stash or abandon your gear and just travel with a bug out bag, a state of martial law is declared for a localize emergency (Hey I was 13 when the Governor of West Virginia declare a State of Emergency and put National Guard on the Streets because an ice storm knocked out power and people started breaking into drug stores and looting, it is not as strange or as dramatic as Hurricane Sandy or Katrina was.).
There are debates online about whether to be a Grayman or go all paramilitary when SHTF. This all depends on what and how things are breaking down. Now yes, police and those in authority will treat a individual in paramilitary garb as a threat but statically speaking criminals will leave you alone. This is based on a Department of Justice Survey cited in the U.S. News & World Report story titled Open Carry Deters Crime so even you are walking up the road with a backpack, your hunting rifle and a handgun on your belt, you are a less likely target to criminals then someone carrying concealed. Now whether you are a target for some Rambo-wannabe Barry Fife is a different matter. I always suggest someone getting starting with a bug out bag and working down from there.
While I agree with Prepper's Will about not travelling but you need to a) understand your environment and b) know the people you are dealing with. Night time travel in a cold environment is not suggested and if you must evacuate (that's what bugging out is) you need to know not only were you are going but have worked out several alternate routes. A substitute for foot travel is using a smaller vehicle such as a bicycle, moped, dirt bike (motor cycle) or ATV. However, these things are limited by what kind of terrain they can be used one, and the need for fuel. An electric motor can be charged using a small solar kit but that effects travel. Regardless you need to practice said hike before you attempt it in a emergency. Even then, just avoiding the interstate isn't enough because many people will risk it, even not knowing the area just to "follow the locals" hoping to avoid a traffic jam and many local may be trying to use the same paths and trails you are. So again you need to know your area, physically and socially.
Basic Tips for Travel On Foot:
Avoid Traveling Alone: If at all possible avoid traveling alone but, lets assume you can't help it. Great either try to blend in with others if you are in a crowd or try to find a place to lay low to evaluate the situation and figure out your next move. If you have to travel alone make sure to use the proper tactics, be the gray man with authorities and present a hard target to criminals.
Noise and Light Discipline: Noise and Light Discipline is military term for "shut up, tie down, dirty it & no Light." Shut Up, is the very simple concept of don't speak unless you have to and speak quietly (whisper when you do). Tie Down, is the simple concept of tie down any loose straps, clothing and so on, so as not to create a snag or brush against something when moving. Dirty it, is the basic concept of using dirt to cover the shine of skin, metal or plastic items and any bright clothing. This is basically camouflage. No Light, doesn't mean not have a flash light, it means not to use it excessively. If you use a flashlight put a red lens on it and even then cover it. This a) protects your night vision and b) makes a you less visible to other. So if you are checking a map, cover you and map with your coat while using the light.
Camouflage, Cover & Concealment: This is pretty simple, camouflage is any clothing pattern and movement method which allows you to go unnoticed. Many "survival experts" call this being the gray man and treat the tactic of camouflage as if it is a survival strategy, it isn't. You don't need to wear BDUs or MarPat to be camouflaged, right now its fall I live in West Virginia which means there are no leaves on the trees and everything is brown. So wearing Tan and Khaki clothing will allow me to blend in better then a pare of BDUs. Cover is an obstacle that prevents contact with the enemy (anyone who threatens your life and safety) and obstructs said enemy's view of you. A sheetrock wall is not cover, if your enemy is armed, bullets will pass through sheet rock. This makes sheetrock concealment, concealment is anything that obstructs sight with the enemy but doesn't prevent contact.
Travel Along Cover & Concealment: Don't avoid roads, just avoid traveling on them. You can travel along a road but approximately 30 to 50 yards to the side of, off the road. This allows you observe the road and follow it but allows you remain concealed so as to avoid an trouble on the road. Do not walk on the tops of ridges or hills so as not to silhouette yourself, instead travel along the side of the hill.
Camouflage your Camp Site: If you have to lay low or shelter in place, you need to camouflage your area. This means avoiding the usual camp site activities like camp fires or building shelters. Even if you do build a shelter you need to make sure it's hidden from view and preferably between two larger objects with a limited area of approach. If you have to build a fire us a Dakota Fire Hole.
Learn Individual Movement Principles: Learning basic skills like individual movement techniques for sneaking about. You never know when it will come in handy. When in doubt, freeze or just drop to your stomach and low craw to cover. To get a basic idea just watch the video below...
Post Watch/Traps/Alarms: When camping or rest, set a few small noise traps, or even defensive traps to cause injury if you travel alone. This allows some small amount of protection, though travelling with someone who can keep watch while you sleep and you can watch for them while they rest is the best bet.
Always Be Armed: You don't need a AR15 with all the latest tacticool gadgets or a AK47, anything will do as long as you have some means of self-defense. Even if you are carrying a hastily made spear out a butcher knife, duct tape and an old broom stick or just old broom stick. Having some means yo defend yourself is critical.
Travel in a Vehicle:
Vehicle Travel is a pain in the ass, because you either have to be on the road before traffic turns the interstate into a parking lot or you have wait until after all hell breaks loose and its safe too travel afterward, which puts you in the "storm" when shit hits the fan. In either case you need to have extra fluids, gas for your vehicle and still have to sport room for you preps. If you have more then one vehicle remember the slowest and least off road capable sets the pace. Then there are security issues... Look any jack ass with a chain saw and a gun can rob you by putting trees in the road and car jacking you. Some small towns with little to now law enforcement presence will have a Bubba or group of Bubbas who will set up their own check points in a Doomsday scenario. Some of these small towns will then cut off routes through rural America, so taking the back roads can and will be more dangerous then we think. Same can be said for some urban and sub-urban neighborhoods. This happened during Katrina and Sandy in the US.
So lets look at the most likely scenario, a father of 2 children (a 14 year old argumentative drama queen brat of daughter who thinks the world revolves around her & a 7 year old son who has spent more time playing video games then playing outside) are forced to evacuate. The family mini van is packed with essentials, and they have to travel 47 miles to Aunt Marta's house during a mass evacuation.
But what are the essentials? To the son its a PSP and an MP3 player... The to daughter its her cell phone and facebook which is now down. To the wife its all the canned goods and everyone is packing a lot of cloths. To daddy, John Doe its his .380 and 12 gauge shot gun. This nightmare scenario becomes so much worse if we are talking about a single mother or just a single person.
So lets discuss those basics shall we, what do you need for your car-kit?
Cloths are fine and all but you need no more then 5 pares of cloths, per person. But, you also need to think Hygene as well, Antiseptic Wipes or Antiseptic Soap and a wash cloth, Tooth Brush, Etc.
The Bug Out Bag, there are different builds and each person should build there own to there needs. Bug-Out bags are the basic foundation. Most of the essentials should be covered here and a little extra in car, like matches and lighters doesn't hurt.
I suggest at a minimum two 5-Gallon Gas Cans, jumper cables, Jump Starter, extra fluids (all of them) at least 4 bottles and 6 for oil, spare blankets, flashlight, socket set, spare fuses, car jack, lug wrench, a case of water and some emergency food (trail mix & jerky will do) and that is for everyday travel. And that is not counting the spare tire or tire chains if your location requires them and oh yeah a can of fix-a-flat or 4, just in case. Don't forget your first aid kit either.
A fairly medium tent would be a good addition. Your vehicle is made of glass and steel and those things trap heat but also transfer the cold temperature will make your car a freezer in the winter. A good tarp is also recommended.
Then you can start looking at Food to take, other things... of that nature. As for guns well, that is on you but I think the pioneers had a good system. You need only 3 three at a minimum. A shotgun for utility and a handgun for close in defense. You need a rifle for long range shooting and don't forget to buy a big freaking knife and a hatchet or tomahawk. For rifles I suggest a AR15 or AK47 style rifle as it is good for general defense. Also take a tactical class and learn to use it effectively.
Now what are the special items you need, after all I just covered the basic above... Lets start out simple, maps... GPS is fine but paper maps don't need batteries and if you are going to Aunt Martha's you need to map out back roads and main highways to get there. You can get local area crime stats at your police departments and mark danger areas you want to avoid. Some people suggest having cache's along the way and you can do this along those routes but, a cache can be found and looted by others. So do so at your own risk. A pioneer's kit is also recommended, a axe, shovel and pick or matic is recommended at a minimum.
Now if you have your family of 4, you need security... Mommy and Daddy need to be packing. With that family of 4 daddy needs his handgun handy for a right hand draw, and mommy needs to be sitting in the back seat middle with the shotgun. Grocery bags filled with dirt (i.e. sandbags) can be used to line the back of mini-van and placed long the doors on the inside to provide some ballistic protection (hey if it works for the US Army it will work for your family). That single parent needs to sit in the driver seat with a shotgun across their lap to cover the right side and that handgun at a right hand draw to cover the left side.
If you are traveling by convoy (3 or more vehicles together), the fastest vehicles needs a flare gun and too travel about 1 to 3 miles ahead of the rest, with two people inside. This allows for a forward observer in case the road is blocked or a situation arises. In case the radio can't reach you, I live a state where mountains can block cell phone and even CB reception, the flare provides an emergency warning. All non-combatants (injured, women and children; Note: I'm not saying women aren't capable for defending themselves I'm saying they are the last line in defending the children and we all know that saying about mother protecting her young... Oh and I'm sorry men should be men and fight to protect their families!) need to travel with the supplies. The "defense forces" or IRF (instant reaction force) needs to have all the fighters in the group. Order of travel is simple, Scout Vehicle, IRF and Non-Com (Non-Combatants). If the threat comes from behind, the IRF can provides a defensive position to engage while the Non-Coms advance past them to safety or advance while the Non-Coms halt should the Scouts encounter anything. More so, just because they are non-combatants doesn't mean the Non-Coms should be unable to defend themselves.
DO NOT Pick Up Strays... By Strays I mean anyone not in your group. I don't care if it is women and children if you don't know them personally, you are best to avoid them. Look criminals use kids all the time to run drugs, steal and commit other crimes. They also use them as decoys, so don't take the risk.
This is very loosely based on US Army doctrine and convoy SOP. Ideally, if the scouts encounter a potential threat they call in IRF as support and investigate one scout providing over-watch with a rifle and allow the other to advance. A Bubba checkpoint might only seeking to keep out trouble or it could be a ride side robbery waiting to happen. The last thing you want them to know is that you have a combat capable IRF on standby. Basically, it is a very simple matter of using this as recommended for basic tentative plan and adjust were you need to. Two vehicles don't need to send a scout element because that splits the force in half.
Travel Alone:
Travel alone is not recommended. But its say it unavoidable well that video on basic individual movement will provide some basic techniques for you. Some additional information for those travelling alone...
Always assume the area is under enemy observation.
Move slowly. A sniper counts his movement progress by feet and inches.
Do not cause overhead movement of trees, bushes, or tall grasses by rubbing against them.
Plan every movement and move in segments of the route at a time.
Stop, look, and listen often.
Move during disturbances such as gunfire, explosions, aircraft noise, wind, or anything that will distract the enemy’s attention or conceal one's movement.
Avoid known enemy positions and obstacles.
Seek terrain that offers the best cover and concealment.
Take advantage of difficult terrain (swamps, dense woods, and so forth).
Do not use trails, roads, or footpaths.
Avoid built-up or populated areas.
Avoid areas of heavy enemy & criminal activity.
Avoid conflict when possible but, if you have to fight... go all out and take no prisoners.
Travel by Day or Night:
While I somewhat agree with Prepper's Will, I don't think night time is the only option. If you are in difficult terrain or a rural area with large predators. Travel at night might not be advisable, so when moving through difficult terrain day light hours are your best bet. There is no single answer and each situation is different so do what is best for you, when you feel you have to.
Know Your Environment:
I know I've covered this already but you need to practice you drive or hike out of dodge and practice the alternate routes at least twice a year. You need to know of if not know, everyone in your area. The social landscape can be just as dangerous as the physical one and will impact the physical landscape in an emergency.
Types of SHTF:
Different type of SHTF events require a whole different set of tactics. The basic idea here is simple, you are bugging out for a reason. Regardless of whats happening you are leaving your home and have to assume none of your stuff will be left behind because it is better/safer for you to leave and not stay put.
Martial Law:
Many people talk about the government coming for you or America becoming a police state. Well guess what, too late we are already there... suck it up "Tinker Bell" and deal with it. There are several situations in which martial law can and will be imposed. In small areas like we've seen in the past covered by the mainstream media with its government funded propaganda. Like Hurricane Katrina, Boston and Hurricane Sandy, now here is the thing...
Lets say your area has been placed under a state of emergency and the police are coming door to door taking your guns and other preps. You have three ways to handle the situation. 1. Start shooting, likely to get you and others killed. 2. Bug-out and 3. Accept it.
Now if you accept it the government will cart you off the a FEMA camp or some location like the Super Dome, with a bunch of other people. And well it took FEMA how long to get water there and if you haven't heard the stories about the rape gangs that was in the Super Dome and how little protection people had... well google it. Or just read this story from the LA Times.
You could resist and that is going to do three things, a) get you killed, b) get you arrested and c) cause the powers that be to put more trigger happy and paranoid jack-booted thugs on the ground to terrorize you. Then there is bugging out.
Our middle option is to sneak out the area of effect and get on to your BOL (Bug Out Location). You can't just drive through a check point with a car full of gear and guns go to Aunt Martha's. You will most likely have to hike out on foot carrying your gear and dragging your family with you. Like's a bitch but hey get to walking...
Natural Disaster:
Travel during or after a major natural disaster is a different scenario. Remember what happened in LA post hurricane Katrina with the localized martial law was due to a sudden up-shoot in crime and looting. Not keep this in mind because a natural disaster caused massive civil unrest and civil unrest lead to martial law. So lets look at the Natural Disaster angle for a minute...
A natural disaster causes a breakdown in social order and most likely economical and utility service in an area. This causes civil unrest or those of malicious intent to act maliciously. Either way, weather or flooding or earth quakes have all cut you off and you need to get out the area. You might have to accept a few things, first is that certain roads may be impassable and second you might not know it until you are on said road. You can map out and mark locations likely to suffer landslides, flooding and so on. But if you are home you are home and if you are leaving home there needs to be a major reason why...
Civil Unrest:
This is the bitch issue, asshole breaking stuff and robbing people. Looting is a criminal act of stealing things you don't need to own or sale for profit via breaking and entering. Savaging is taking things you need via theft because it's an emergency. Both are illegal and both can get you killed. When the police are arresting people and breaking up riots they don't care what you are doing, if it look illegal, it's illegal. If you are breaking down my shop door, I don't care if your daughter is dying from a bad asthma attack or your trying to get a free TV. I'm going to shoot you if not shoot at you...
This is where people skills and de-escalation are handy for dealing with people & why I teach it in my Street Focus Jujitsu course. Now lets talk the major issue, civil unrest brings the authorities to re-establish order. You don't want to be on the road when this happens and you could have no other choice. If possible get away from the conflict zone and wait it out in your car. If you are forced to evacuate an area under civil breakdown or, just drive through Detroit, its best to travel in the day where you can see a threat a long ways off and be armed.
I remember reading a person's account of evacuating during Katrina. The truck ran out of gas in bumper to bumper traffic on the interstate that was going at a snails pace. As one person began filling the truck from a gas can, other people started demanding gas for themselves. Well three younger men were going to take the gas, until the older gentle man in the truck brandished his handgun. Imagine the effect of those three attacking other drivers and looting their vehicle. It would have spark additional unrest and violence in an already heated situation with people's emotions running high.
These are the three main scenarios for a SHTF event and that is leaving out terrorism or other massive breakdown events. The focus is travel in an event of emergency and dealing with possible risks.
Summer Travel and Winter Travel:
Not every crisis will occur during the summer or in warmer weather. So you need to have certain gear for winter travel when bugging out in colder weather. Colder weather brings a whole catagory of risk few preppers are really prepared to face. This is especially true of travel
Travelling during SHTF:
The basic focus has been in evaluating the situation and various methods. Its important to know the difference between a survival tactic and survival strategy. This is basically the difference between a tactic and strategy. Strategies are a series of overlapping plans that direct one to reach the ultimate plan, tactics are pre-planned responses to an event. You need a plan a strategy but, you also need to know some basic tactics to make that strategy work.
I hope you never need this information and that if you do, this blog as been of some help. I'd also like to think Prepper's Will for the inspiration to write this blog. Be safe everyone and thank you all for helping this blog reach 30,000 viewers.
This was a interesting study in examining the Bubishi. First, Patrick McCarthy is a Karate Historian and his research into the "Bible of Karate" actually reveals Karate's roots in White Crane Gung-fu and among the wealth of knowledge in the Bubishi is several charts on Dim Mak. I full well plan to do a comparative study of the Bubishi & Count Dante/John Keehan's World's Deadliest Fighting Secrets, as well to see if Keehan has in fact read the Bubishi or had some access to it. I will include some questions directed to Keehan's students and those following his legacy in this matter as well. However, our focus will in fact be on Yang Zhee Lee's work for this article.
I don't need to tell you Yang Zhee Lee is a pseudonym. If fact, he explains this in the Dim Mak Simplified. The person behind the pseudonym doesn't want to tarnish his business or alternative medicine with being a martial artists and writing a book on what he considers a perversion of acupressure and acupuncture.
Now let us get to the bare bones of this examination, this is not found in the comparison of techniques between Chinese Street Fighting and White Crane Gung-fu. Nor, is it in the examination of Karate techniques but in the methodologies and vital points reference by both documents.
Let us begin with Yang Zhee Lee's simplified Dim Mak points...
Here Yang Zhee Lee breaks his target points into two specific types, points for grabbing and points for striking. More so, Yang Zhee Lee describes these vital points fall into three categories of vital points and in further description of individual points notes that some points are in more then one category of martial arts. These three categories are Dim Mak: attacking acupressure and acupuncture points to disrupt chi within the body, Dim H'sueh: which effect blood vessels and, Dim Ching: which effect nerve clusters.
Comparing it to the Bubishi we see may of the same points... though fewer used in Dim Mak Simplified. The Bubishi is of course a detailed study of martial sciences, to include herbal medicines and healing arts.
If you wish to argue that the Bubishi is merely demonstrating Kyusho or Koshijutsu, let show this & explain that even within the Bubishi is a detailed description of the Bubishi's Chinese roots, this is of course expanded for us Westerns with Patrick McCarthy's own historical investigation. And yes, the Kanji of Dim Mak & its alternative Dim Xue both of which stand for vital point manipulation.
Even in the above image you can see a reference to the time table for striking said vital points which is a powerful characteristic of Dim Mak, often separating it from similar Japanese styles. It is important to remember Okinawa is not Japan and benefited from trade and colonization with the Chinese Ming dynasty in Kume village from 1393 to Okinawas Japanese annexation of Okinawa (called the Ryukyu literally "School Boy") in 1873, following McCarthy's research. In fact, Kume was called "Okinawa's Window to Chinese culture" because Chinese immigrants brought Chinese literature, music, poetry, engineering, medicine and more. In fact, no one know who wrote the Bubishi but it appears to be Chinese in origin & a "secret" of Okinawan Karate Masters for centuries.
Those same time tables are discussed by Yang Zhee Lee using a simple set of charts, that a reader would need to reference to find the best time to strike the listed 21 Dim Mak vital points for maximum effect. In fact, the contents page explains much of the information detailed within Dim Mak Simplified.
Section 1: Details basic Gung-fu/Kung-fu beginning with the basic 5-Animal Stances: Crane, Snake, Tiger, Leopard & Dragon and their principles for application. This then addresses basic striking techniques and chin-na grappling. Section 2: Breaks down the 5 animal short form into individual fighting tactics. Each Short for is expanded by moving from one form to the other. Section 3: Describes training drills and exercises to build the body and develop physical power and endurance for application of Gung-fu/Kung-fu in self-defense. Section 4: Details the charts and time tables that can be use maximize the already effective vital points of Dim Mak striking, such as; Chi Principles for understanding what chi is how it functions within the body and the universe, the five element theory of Chinese Alchemy, the Solid/Empty Organ theory of how chi circulates in the body and, finally the 12 hours of the Chinese calendar and times when chi flow is strongest to vital areas. Section 5: Give a brief overview of Chinese Street Fighting Rules, Ranking and History. Section 6: Deals with the Author's philosophy toward violence and how kindness is a stronger weapon then aggression. It also explains some practical first aid applications of Dim Mak. Section 7: Is an about the author and why he chose to use a "pen name."
There is an Appendix A demonstration a 14 step Boxer's Form for additional study.
Clearly Dim Mak Simplified lacks the depth of Bubishi & few works modern or ancient truly compare the Bubishi. However, the vital points between the two works clearly overlap, though there is many more charts found within the Bubishi's texts expanding & overlapping with the 36 vital points mentioned in this article. The Bubishi is catalog of essays, philosophies, and skills ranging from simple fighting techniques to medicine and healing arts. Dim Mak Simplified is a stripped out bare bones explanation of an art without masters where one's status is obtained only by fighting others (Chinese Street Fighting) and simplification of a whole science detailed in Bubishi. Both are worth a look and both reinforce principles in the other.
The essence of modern martial arts is most often characterized by he growth of the MMA community. However in modern MMA competitions rules and federal and/or state regulations still limit the progress of the technical options available to the martial artist. While Self-Defense Courses and, the more tactically designed Reality-Based Self-Defense systems, offer a more weapons focused and practical from of technical execution they are still limited by the "need for safety" which prevents full speed and full contact execution of fighting techniques. Tradional Systems draw from a wealth of experience and recorded knowledge of more then one master or set of grandmasters, the paramilitary structure makes learning easier but limits freedom of thought or action in execution, a aspect needed to instinctively & intuitively modify or apply a technique without conscious thought on the matter...
So what is the Modern Martial Artist to do? We are told the only way to be an expert if to set your feet firmly in one of three catagories; Competition or sport martial arts like MMA or Bjj or Judo or Tae Kwon Do or Muay Thai, in Reality Based Self-Defense systems & short cut self-defense systems like Tony Bauer's SPEAR, Jim Wagner's Reality Based Personal Protection or even the Fairbairn system of Military Hand-to-Hand Combatives (all good systems with a good foundation of techniques) and in traditional systems with spirit and history unique to them but adapted or not to modern sport useage or ancient warrior fighting techniques. Is the Modern Martial Artist to bounce between all three mainstream branches of martial arts and create their own system or be drawn up into a Martial Arts cult of personality where Grandmaster so-&-so or System founder whomever cannot be questioned and their methods can not be improved upon..?
There will always be a need for tradition especially in the area of the Spirit of the martial art. As a ninjutsu practicer I find that many elements of ninjutsu are applicatable for modern life; even though ninjutsu historically is not a "martial art" in that it has a battlefield application. Ninjutsu is the "Hidden Art" it is about creating results with the smallest amount of force. Rather then fighting we disappear and hide from the threat... rather then fighting we use psychological manipulation to redirect an enemy... When all else fails we Assassinate an enemy so that they do have a chance to retaliate or harm us or our loved ones...
While I don't find much use for the assassination portion of ninjutsu, I do use psychological manipulation on a regular basis. Everything from dealing with unruly individuals to helping people realize their true potential. I have even been acused of misusing my "Ninja Powers for Evil" by Grandmaster David Harris to pick up women... In the modern world of "Civilized Society" the courage to face an aversary directly is replaced with a sort of political in-fighting & back stabbing that can make the threat of physical violence all the more dangerious if only indirectly.
The Modern Martial Artist is at a disadvantage and at an advantage from his older peers; first the Modern Martial Artist has more information and more options, secondly the modern martial artist can custom build a system from several others that may fit the needs and personality of the individual Martial Artist. The Modern Martial Artist has two distinct disadvantage as well...
More information means more useless information to the individual & custom building a system is hit or miss, trial and error and time consuming. I recently watched a video of Tony Bauer explaining "Hick's Law" (More options more time to sort and choose those options) which reminded me of a very scientific way of explaining Bruce Lee's infamous words about the goal of mastery being a daily weeding out of excess and not its abundance. For the Modern Martial Artist the daily decrease of techniques to simple core methods that needs to be built up & is the only path to success...
The Threats of modern society are self-defense against devious coworkers trying to steal your job or keep you from being promoted, false friends who wish to drag you down with them, muggers, rapists, terrorists and even their own psychological weaknesses. The Modern Martial Artist must be built on a solid foundation of psychological and philosophical principles that create a kind of mental toughness associated with the Warriors of the Past, carrying their spirit of self-discipline and self-sacrofice to the modern word around them. Then core fighting techniques need to be drilled so that speed, power and accuracy are developed and adaption and competition to develop simulated experience (not just in a cage or on a mat but in dealing with self-defense scenarios as well) and finally expanded into weapons systems.
It is not a matter of this style Vs that style, and while I have taken this approach with Street Focus Jujitsu (http://shadowwarriorpress.com/products/street-focus-jujitsu-handbook) that concept and principles are not my own to claim, they are not exclusive to myself. The concept is a Spiritual Root in all Martial Arts no matter their form. The spirit of the concept is one of personal growth and understanding. Of being in a state of constant readiness and prepared to face your enemy on any and all grounds by being mentally and physically tough.
Self-Aware, Self-Controlled, Self-Motivated and Self-Disciplined, now more then ever does the Modern Martial Artists have an opportunity to become a Modern Warrior reflecting the best virtues of Bushido Philosophy...
Many times, I find that I don't always stack up to the competition that some people spend more time following their chosen course in life then I do; be it a martial arts tradition, military service or just setting safely behind a computer screen trolling away. I tend to be on the fringes and with good reason I travel the road less travelled.
Sometimes I get to go to out of the way places like the stream above. Where I sat meditating and practicing a kata on a large rock about 10 to 12 feet in diameter. Why did do meditate and practice forms? To perfect my martial arts skills or find enlightenment? God no... I was hiking and we stopped to do some fishing. I hate fishing so I decided to sit and enjoy nature, the harmony of the moment. The forms came as I needed to stretch a bit. Ultimately, I was so taken with the spot I snapped a picture on my phone.
Did the same to get this image of a farming village in South Korea, out exploring back roads through the mountains on foot.
Waterfalls I've climbed & cliffs I've dived from. Oh sure I have my enemies & I know they are many.
Here is a picture of a couple of them now at the same water fall.
Here is a spot I enjoy, a mountain top overlooking the whole of Beckley WV at about 6:30 to 7am. At night its just as awesome overlooking a city lit up with lights, especially around Christmas. At 6 am to 7 am it looks like this...
And of course there are those off the wall moments like below. I was waiting on a friend to get off work at 2 am and was laying a bench. I ended up eating a slice of pizza with a homeless guy who thought I was homeless myself. Then me and my friend went to Donut connection after he got off work were I took this picture of a guy who said he was "on a date" with his blow up doll/girlfriend.
Life is a series of moments and find ourselves in places we do not always expect. We are born with two options in life; to follow the well worn path of fitting in and finding acceptance or to follow the path least travelled. To do the exceptional, to be the exception. Not, because of some external power source granting us anything special but because what is special is within us. This month Never Back Down comes out, and I focus on my court issues and the legal corruption. I'm not one to teach based on a tradition of do as someone else does but on the vast catalog of experience I have, having been a team leader & hand-to-hand combat instructor in the US Army, having fought in "underground tournaments" with gang members and criminals, having learned from a Hitman & had a Karate Instructor who was also an outlaw biker and mob enforcer.
I'm not the good guy, nor am I always cast as the villain. I follow the path least travelled because I don't know how to play it safe and be "normal." I don't need anything to tell me I am special or unique. God made all of us for a purpose, and mine is spent out on the fringes. Everything put before us is a test of our faith and while I have my moments of doubt my faith is strong because I've put it to the test. If I can do it so can anyone else, all it takes is the belief that you have everything you need within you because God put it there in you or in your life & the faith to follow the road less travelled. It is not always comfortable and often difficult.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.
The failure once again is stalking me through cyber space. The internet is where cowards and the weak minded come to spin tales of their greatness. It is were forums host a number of experts and people who can shoot at 1,000 meters with rifles the US Military declare the maximum effective range at only 800+ meters, without extensive marksmanship training. Basically the internet is full of bull shit, in truth much of our culture is full of bullshit the internet is simply the largest point were it collects. It is the sewer of our society because certain critters can't face physical consequences for what they say... or do. Its even been made fun in various media like Brad Paisley's Online.
What does this have to do with the fat one, well lets look at it shall we. Today I set up a twitter account as bait to draw out the Fat Phil Failmore (my pet name for Phil Elmore). And like an incompetent psychopath, Phil Elmore took the bait, posting on the Twitter account in reference to Never Back Down coming out in March. So at the mere mention of a book showing the factual material evidence involved in my court case & the falsified "evidence" by my martial arts competitors Phil Shows up to call it a lie...
Why does Phil fear proof that he's lied and sander my name being presented in the book? What about now? You can read all about his appearance yesterday (2/27/2015) in blog post The Lies, Stalking & Harassment by Phil Failmore today he used his Wester Easterman troll account to join the Shadow Warrior Publishing forum where he was automatically reported and banned. So why is Phil stalking me across the internet, why does he feel the need to be recognized?
Lets be clear Phil Elmore is a fraud and chump, oh sure he has his black sash in Lew's Slong Kung-fu (yes I know I misspelled the name, it was done on purpose) but this is only to try to justify his previous "teachings" in his first book Shorthand Empty Hand were he didn't even bother to correct his mistakes...
Mantis Hook:
Now I'm no Kung-fu man but from pictures on the net and online resources the Mantis Hook taught by Phil seems, improper even unmanly inspiring this meme.
Compared to this collaboration of actual mantis stylists Phil Elmore is wrong. More so does Liu Seong have mantis stances and techniques? If not how is this guy suddenly a creditable source of mantis techniques or a black sash in Liu Seong Kuntao. And you can all see its wrong compared actual mantis stylists.
Notice the difference?
Tiger Claw:
Sorry I couldn't help but present another Meme. Seem familiar? You bet here is more of Phil Elmore's half ass and unintelligent kung foolishness. He even has the "Crazy Eyes."
Asserting his manhood?
Phil the failure has a long history of trying to express his manliness, which only makes him look like a pathetic wimp who uses the internet to present what he doesn't have skill, knowledge & a reputation. Phil has plastered his vestige across the internet posing with weapons in an attempt to appear to be a tough guy.
Phil Elmore's impersonation of Dirty Harry, course Harry wasn't real...
Who wears a tactical vest to a gun range? If you look he is wearing a bandanna because that's tacticool and armed with a second gun in the tac-vest. And fat boy is too big for the tactical vest, literally busting at t seems making it more of a tacticool girdle.
What is the point? Crazy person with a knife? Who I'm posing with knives...
Oh but Phil isn't just wearing a bandanna he's also spotted in a Beret, in the picture that conjures up images of a Communist hero Che Guevara. I suspect, it is only my opinion but... I suspect before converting Aye Rand's Objectivist stupidity he was the typical college liberal... I could be wrong but still posing with his "AK47" I present Phil Elmore meme #3...
Ah but why throw fuel on the fire, because as much as like razzing Elmore when he raises his head it is done in response to his own unwanted contact with me. Why follow someone around the net stalking them and attempting to harass them? Because even if I am the total fraud Phil claims I am, I have not been found guilty of the crimes by which Phil suggests and outright has claimed online, thus I have to defend my good name such as it were. Phil attempted to involve himself in my Terrorist Threats case yet I was not convicted and neither was I convicted in the child porn case and Phil Elmore is seeking to change history. To slander my name and somehow claim he is acting morally and objectively. When all he is doing is holding onto old grudges and that of putting him into his place numerous times in the past.
Subjectively, Phil Elmore is just some pathetic wannabe tough guy who "is so much cooler online" or tries to be. Objectively, Phil is just a pathetic and sad man boy, wannabe tough guy and fraud.
Once again the Paladin Press mouth piece for so called legitimate martial artists Phil Elmore ha reared his ugly little head. No doubt a response to my Blog post which was in itself a response to Phil Elmore following me around the internet and posting his article full of lies. The Lies of Phil Failmore Defining Another's Character... I'm not who you want me to be
And of course I addressed the so called experts online who are either connected to Paladin Press or the Bujinkan (remember Phil is associated with Paladin) attacking me. Though I don't remember ever mentioning his name in the article. The Absurdity of Martial Arts on the Internet
He yet again makes an appearance on the Shadow Warrior Publishing facebook page. Where his post was deleted and he was banned. Have no fear, it was saved for evidence of a history is harassment by the double talking troll.
Ultimately it comes down to this, come March Phil Elmore will be addressed in the up and coming book Never Back Down: The True Story Behind Ron Collins & no doubt is afraid of the truth. Phil Elmore is coward who hides behind his computer. The image above is another of Phil Elmore's lies here he quotes me & then uses images of the my many previous arrests not for that which is quoted and a picture from a news article all to suggest my stated quote is somehow false or to mislead the viewer into believing all arrests where related to said quote. That is not true...
The fact is Phil Elmore is a coward behind a computer screen where no one can bitch slap him back into his place, he looks for reasons outside himself; martial arts, military service (which he has none) & tactical training (yeah...). He threaten Dan Bowen into backing don from a challenge by threatening him with CPS, he provided one sided evidence (which I posted as bait for him) to Trooper Duckworth in my own state when I as arrested for making Terrorist Threats but not convicted of it... Hell I even caught the Prosecutor lying and fabricating evidence.
Yet again all Phil Elmore can do is bring up the past and twist facts to suggest, imply or outright lie about situation. I am among other things the student of Danny Ray Massey, himself a student of Tracy Cook. Danny was a member of the Avengers MC considered organized crime by the FBI & the state of West Virginia. The Avengers are directly connected to Kirks, Reddens, Lillys, former Magistrate Maryanne Jennings and (yes) Trooper Gregory Duckworth. My charges are directly related to these people and to my refusal the join the Avengers MC.
Read the whole story, with evidence presented in the book: Never Back Down: The True Story Behind Ron Collins at Shadow Warrior Publishing
Purpose: The purpose of this page is to discuss the self-defense awareness philosophy & help the reader to understand criminal psychology. To do this we will offer practical advice and discuss inherent self-defense awareness philosophy.
How we reach this purpose is by first forgetting what is the common instruction of self-defense. Many times we are told to use the color code of self-defense awareness. The color code system was invented by John Dean "Jeff" Cooper a retired US Marine Corps officer, writer & firearms instructor. Mr. Cooper's color code system was based on awareness of one's own biological reaction to stress. Beginning in condition white, then yellow, orange & red. The US Marine Corps uses an additional condition of condition *black however, condition black was not part of Coopers original color code.
Combat Mindset & Cooper Color Code:
White: Aware of surrounding and completely relaxed. If you are in this condition you should not be conscious.
Yellow: Relax alert, no specific threat detected.
Orange: Specific Alert, a potential threat detected. Heart Rate elevated.
Red: Fight! You are engaged in open conflict and have a sense of immediate danger.
*Black: Panic! Heart rate over 175 beats per minute, breakdown of physical & mental functioning.
Why this good for Soldiers & Marines but bad for Self-Defense.
Marines are fighting men, they are trained to be prepared for the enemy's tactics, they have experienced leaders & multiple individuals to maintain awareness of the signs of potential danger. What civilian has a) "combat experience" with criminal activity or b) has an NCO to tell them condition orange intelligence said? These conditions are even true of Police Officers who use the same color code awareness & get information from snitches and informants & have higher ranking officers to tell them to raise their awareness level.
Self-defense instructors spend most of their time teaching simple but effective fighting techniques. What they don't often teach is to think like your "enemy" the common criminal. How will reach condition orange if you don't know what should trigger said condition. By the very nature of violence & the criminal mindset, their goal is t get you to condition white. They lie, they cheat and they stack to deck before they engage. It doesn't matter if you walk around in condition orange going from possible threat to possible threat in your awareness if you don't know what a threat looks like. There are only two conditions of awareness; aware and unaware. If you are aware, are you educated on what to be aware of?
Educated awareness means knowing the basic tactics of common criminals to avoid the potential threat before it becomes a danger to you.
How is Educated Awareness Different then the Color Code Awareness:
The color code of awareness is intended for military men in the course of their service. These soldiers have many different variables such as Fragos (Fragmentary orders), Situation Reports, Mission Briefings, Safety Briefings, Intelligence Briefings & more to ensure these fighting men are aware of potential and present threats. War fighters have an educated awareness. As a lone individual you have only two conditions aware & unaware, and that means you need to be educated to what a potential threat may be.
There are many things that effect your awareness; intoxication, distraction & the limits of your senses. A mother trying to get a crying child in its car seat and keep the grocery cart from rolling away can't be expected to keep the same level of awareness as a someone simply walking to their car in the same parking lot. Thus aware or not aware or properly, exercising educated awareness or unaware because to quote G.I. Joe cartoons from childhood "Knowing is half the battle."
Fight, Flight or Freeze Vs Threat Display, Fight, Flight or Submission with potential intellectual Freezing:
There is debate among the Status Quo Self-Defense Instructors as to whether the Fight or Flight response should include a Freeze response. Modern Sociology says we have instead four response to interspecies conflict. Posture, Fight, Flight or Submit with Freezing being the result of conflicting information between natural response and conditioned responses. What this means is that their is pre-conflict phase of displaying a threat posture to either gain dominance or ward off attempts to be dominated. This suggests a preliminary phase of sizing up your opponent. From this you will go in either Fight, neither side finds the other's threat posture intimidating so fight/physical conflict occurs. Flight, a tactical withdraw from physical conflict doesn't mean you've won just means "they" might be back with friends or a weapon. Submission, which is the yielding to the threat display either calling off the original threat display or giving into threatening individuals demands.
Freezing occurs when one has a conditioned response that is counter-productive to a person's nature. If your natural impulse is to fight and you've been conditioned to not fight, your response might be to freeze because your conscious mind is repeating the conditioning and you've been given. The same is also possible where a person who learn martial arts knows 100 responses to a single technique. Their mind freezes because they must try to select 1 of 100 responses in the fraction of a second. Once you understand the issue is nature versus nurture you can find ways nurture your nature, i.e. make the art your own. You see this with Champion Judoka or Karateka who use only a select set of preferred techniques. They can teach 100s of techniques but only use about 10 to 15 themselves that thy have perfected over time.
Not all Violence has been Created Equal:
There are two types of violence merging into three forms. The two types of violence are social & asocial violence. Social violence is the threat of violence or violence to gain/maintain social dominance. This can be seen as bullying or temper tantrums and so on but can be seen in a more acceptable form in terms of competition like martial arts, wrestling or boxing. Asocial violence is violence or threat of violence with the intent to harm others. This translates into the three forms of violence;
A Fight: This is social violence of bullying, competition & social dominance.
A Self-Defense Situation: This is use of violence or threat of violence to gain something or take something from another. It is materially motivated asocial violence on the lower end of the spectrum.
A Street Fight: This is the higher end of spectrum of Asocial violence where intent is to severely harm another; Kill, Cripple or Maim.
Once you understand their are different types & forms of violence you understand their is no one size fits all solution. The problems are often social, psychological & environmentally based that determine the threat level. Here educated awareness is key understanding the variety of situations you'll find yourself in or could find yourself in. A gang member conducting a drive by shooting and a terrorist executing a suicide bombing are in essence the same a street fight. Which is the same level of intent as two thugs with baseball bats. Your response to all three is essentially the same; avoid it possible, break contact if you can & be willing to do whatever it takes to survival. This is completely different from keeping drunk uncle Bob in line without seriously hurting him, a fight. This is Self-Defense Situational Awareness Philosophy.
