How to tactically, mentally, and physically prepare for the worst.

Status
Not open for further replies.
Counter Ambush Training.

"Worst Case Scenario" training is a concept that is thrown around a lot in this industry. All too often, we see people refusing to understand how they are actually choreographing their responses based on presumptions when they claim "counter ambush".

Being put into a "worst case scenario" is not nearly the same as preparing for that situation in the best way possible.

This is a link to a video that I did to explain what we mean by Counter Ambush Training Methodology:

"Chart of Doom" Video Clip

-RJP
 
Thanks, Lee!

Cripes, Lee, it looks like you know more about my home state than I do! Thanks for the reference to that great training thread, and yes, I was able to find some very promising leads on local training that won't break the bank.

By the way, one of the very best books I have found with regard to the original post of tactically, mentally, and physically preparing for the worst, is The Book of Two Guns by Tiger McKee. Unlike many of the books on my firearms book shelf, my copy is worn, tattered, dog-eared, and highlighted profusely. Definitely a "hands-on," nuts n' bolts book.

Again, I thank you for your response!
 
Begin tough love:

Studying websites like this, reading, watching DVDs & (gasp!) thinking is a very good place to start but it is only the tip of the iceberg.

The key item that most gun people, or those who are tactically minded neglect is their general physical health. It doesn’t matter how well you shoot if you get winded walking from the 5 yard line to the target & back. Pounding down Cheetos & Yoo-hoo while watching Collateral is not training or even useful. The first step in picking a victim is to spot someone who looks easy. The decision tree probably looks like:

Paying attention:
Yes- keep looking
No- go to next step


Can you take them:
Yes- go to next step
No/maybe- keep looking

If you keep your cell phone in your pocket, occasionally look around & look like you can move pretty well then you have most likely failed both of those selection questions. That’s not to say that a fit person in yellow will never get attacked but the risks associated with that attack are higher for the criminal than someone tweeting on their iPhone while taking a breather on the first floor landing. On a related note, your chances of dying from a heart attack or other health problem are many times greater than being mugged to death. Take care of yourself. We need the good guys to last as long as possible.

To Lee’s first post, the “ultimate badguy” concept is not just someone who is a former SEAL or Delta guy, but also includes people who are just good criminals. Someone who has been around the block a few times & knows how to handle a stickup or an urban carjacking ambush or whatever the case may be. You’re good at your job. If someone off the street came in & watched you work they’d probably be pretty impressed. Same goes for the career criminal. They’re good at what they do. Just because someone isn’t a CrossFit-ing former super secret ninja squirrel who shoots quarter second splits at 50 yards into a fist sized group while using the rest of his body to win UFC matches doesn’t mean he isn’t well trained & dangerous.

We do need to strike a balance in our lives. It isn’t hard to train hard & have a life. I’m the guy described earlier who works 40 hrs a week, mows the lawn, etc. & I train something every day. It doesn’t have to be long, it doesn’t have to be your sole purpose in life. If you do a little bit, every day, you won’t even notice the time spent, but it will pay big dividends.

Likewise, there is no excuse not to train. You can get into a class every bit as good as, or better than, something from one of the “sites” for less than half the cost. There are enough trainers around that you can probably find a class within an hour or two from your house so the gas/lodging/meals won’t be too bad. Start putting money away every month. Buy a couple boxes of ammo every month & stash them for class. Don’t have any extra money you say? How much do you waste on smokes, beer, eating out, Starbucks, stupid things that you’ll use once & store in the garage? You don’t have to be a hermit but a lot of the people who “don’t have any money” waste a lot of it on stupid things. If you want to train you will find a way. If you don’t then you will find excuses. You can learn a lot from books, but nothing near what you’ll learn in a real class.

I fully realize that I’m more TPI than THR but even when the training isn’t fun I still do it because it is something that can never be taken away from me. It is one of the few things that I can pass on to my son regardless of political or social climate. And it is one of the very few things that will help me to do my duty as a father, husband & decent human being. You might not need it, but if you pass it on to someone who does need it then the time, effort & money was worth it.

NEVER let anyone talk you into doing less.

End tough love.
 
Amazed at the lack of responses suggesting military service.
Click to expand...

I would also advocate military service. However, speaking from personal experience even after two combat deployments, the military has taught me very little about firearms. The typical soldier gets little real trigger time unless you are a gunner or out kicking in doors and really in the fight. When you are in garrison you may not see a weapon more than once a year for a very limited time!

Join shooting clubs, go to the range and practice, attend courses...

And consider moving from California to a gun friendly state.
 
Nice post, Yammy.

This is one of several good points, and one I have not seen brought up as often as it should:

You might not need it, but if you pass it on to someone who does need it then the time, effort & money was worth it.
Click to expand...

I have spent a little time at some "name" schools, and enjoyed it a lot. Good thing it was so fun too because, frankly, I live a fairly low-speed, high-drag life; I fully expect to make it out the other end without having to test out my skills.

But I do have a friend, a young lady, who has found herself suddenly on the wrong end of some criminal attention (through no fault of her own; it can happen). Even the LEOs involved suggested obtaining a weapon.

Since I was the gun buff around at the time, I had the privilege of taking her, a novice handgunner, and passing on some of the benefits of those classes; coaching her through some basics, as well as a perfect score on an LFI-1 type qualification while she wait-lists for some local class slots to open up.

I feel very good about being able to give some of this info to someone who stands to gain much more comfort from the training than I.

Plus, her smile and sharp-looking target earned me some street cred with the guys at the range on the way out...
;)
 
Last edited:
Good job sidheshooter.

That is how we're going to turn more people to the light.

Here in CO we have "emergency" carry permits that are good for 90 days IIRC. They don't require any upfront training like the standard pemit does, & I think they're issued more or less on the spot. You still have to train, apply, pay & pass a background check though for the regular permit. You might want to see if your state has something similar for her.
 
I have talked myself out of some BAD spots by being confident. No one wants to do something the hard way if they think you are armed or prepared I have always parted friends though both sides knew shoot outs could happen. Pick up on there concerns that they perceive and build on it. Path of least resistance. Really it's no more complicated than that if you can be convincing. Rememberv if your in a car set up in forward or reverse to hit the assailant as fast as you can
use this as a last resort. An automobile is one of the most deadly weapons you will ever grab ahold of.




Jim
 
Last edited:
Here in CO we have "emergency" carry permits that are good for 90 days IIRC. They don't require any upfront training like the standard pemit does, & I think they're issued more or less on the spot. You still have to train, apply, pay & pass a background check though for the regular permit. You might want to see if your state has something similar for her.
Click to expand...

Good thinking, I appreciate it; as it happens, the sheriff's office may actually be able to sign off without a class given extenuating circumstances (and the fact that another LE agency is giving a recommendation). If something good comes to pass on this, I’ll post here again.
 
Speaking from my experience as a military member, I'd say that while the military is good for teaching a lot of things that are especially relevant for combat survival, it's by no means the only--or even the best--way. I'm currently deployed, hold a combat MOS and I am amazed at the general incompetence and lack of skills I see on a daily basis. Most people in the military aren't "gun people" and could care less about developing real skill sets. So while there is a lot to be gained, you best know that you'll pay a high price for it.

I would suggest saving some money and going to a good quality school and having a professional show you how to use your weapon. Check out Gabe Suarez; he's based in AZ, but travels a lot for classes and tends to focus on practical shooting.

Another bit of advice that I've found extremely helpful is to read. Read everything you can get your hands on regarding the subject. "On Killing" and "On Combat" are two that would be on my must-read list.

Of course, I'd also second the advise to get the hell out of California. That place is downright unfriendly towards gun owners.

Just my opinion, feel free to disregard.
 
Lee Lapin said:
I think that's a better question to work on here... and it's open to discussion.
Click to expand...

Well, for starters I think that was well said... But, I should add in here that I am impressed by the philosophical side that you've brought to this debate!

For the OP, I hate to sound like a kill-joy, but you won't learn how to operate "tactically" from a book or DVD. Those items can supplement other training, but you should still seek out some quality training! Still, you might do well to read some books that talk about the psychology of defense, as many mental barriers can be overcome without one-on-one professional training (after all, it is all in YOUR head).

For combat psychology, I suppose Col Grossman is as good of a place as any to start. Read the article through this link and you'll get a feel for his style of thinking:

http://www.killology.com/sheep_dog.htm

My department sent me to one of his seminars a few years ago, and I thought it was a valuable experience. His books have been well-received by law enforcement as well, and you might check some of them out ("On Killing" and "On Combat" were both popular with my colleagues, though I've actually only attended the lectures myself... still need to read the books).
 
Well Col. your right I have always benn able to imagine the reaction and what action to take. Beleive me Path of least resistances is the rule of thumb. If you are able to tell someone there's easier living without issueing a chalenge the better chance you have. Sociopaths are the only ones to worry about the rest bow out gracfully and go on down the street.



Jim
 
Last edited:
sidheshooter

Thanks for posting that link to AYOOB.:D I ordered the book and the LFI video. I haven't read any of his works, but have heard his name mentioned very highly here before:cool:
 
I don't care what method you learn bottom line is your better have something and more important convince your opponent you have. I try to act as an equal so not to challenge. I have walked or drove away from deadly situations. Verval Judo though I haven't taken it sounds like the best course to take. Face it it won't take long to hit someone at 7 yards. Getting out of that situation is the key to success.


Jim
 
As nice as it would be, I won't be out of California for a while. I am keeping up the gun rights fight here though.
 
Fastest way would be to kick over 7-8 bikes out of 40 on a Friday night at the local biker bar. Should be a hell of a training program.:p



Let me know how that works out.




Jim
 
almost joined the military but was actually talked out of it by my family (dad was army, both aunts were marines and army, cousin army, and soon to be brother in law was marine infantry meu) and some personal issues with my recruiters and plus got a scholarship to college so decided to take that path. i think serving ones country is a great honor and support all who do so and can help one mentally and physically for those rough situations but does not make one magically a great marksman or tactician. albeit my soon to be brother in law is in essence a asskicking machine (was in fallujah iraq, afghanistan, somalia, kosovo you name it) he got that way because he was in essence made for war and trained hard for it. just because your prior military dont make you effective in combat or better yet a self defense situation. I was lucky to have a couple mentors early on for training (actually 3 my dad, uncle who is a leo, and one of my best friends dad also leo) and learned how to use cqc tactics either with a pistol rifle knife lead pipe etc. i outshoot and can outperform most folks ive trained with and why is that it is because i PRACTICE. make it a weekly deal to go shooting 22. s with your friends kids wife etc, read into tactics and such, exercise (lots of folks out there who think they can beat anybody in a fight but cant even maintain their breathing while walking in the park), and either pay for sd courses or if your lucky have somebody mentor you in the art of war. just my 2 cents ;)
 
1: Join the Marines!
or
2: Take a class from a good instructor
or
3: Keeping shooting, practice practice practice until it becomes habit (this includes, safety checks, clearance, surveying surroundings) keeping your cool and staying calm is the key to surviving situations.
4: Engage in activities that build confidence, confidence for me is maintaining calm collective reasoning in extreme anxiety/dangerous situations. See option 1!! ;) Wrestle, box for fun, a black eye or bloody nose is what you need, you play rough you react rough. Suck up your pride, learn to win by winning, learn how to stay calm, not get angry and to not lose control. Learning your limits and taking a lose as a lesson in winning next time builds character and the callus mindset you need in hard situations, which brings me to option #5.
5: Get the **** kicked out of ya, or at least take a solid one in the face. Honestly once you have been hit, and I mean seeing stars, puffy face for days hit, it's not so bad anymore, you have to know what it feels like so you aren't afraid anymore, no more wondering or fantazising how bad it could be. Learn to take it like a man and bounce back, thats the only way to face your fears and inadequacy worries. Or try Option #1, it always works.....
 
You get my vote.
It's what I meant by observing a lack of military references.
MOS that requires the "extra step", not just what we called a "duty soldier."

If you want to really prepare, you need to go out and get dipped in it and hopefully survive.
Kicking over bikes would be fun to watch.
Preparing for the worst requires a few scars and the ability to take some damage.
 
Last edited:
Rocky Branch - I like that "dipped in it and hopefully survive." baptism by fire. When you start fixing all your wounds with super glue, duct tape, and spit, with callused hands like tree bark and a story behind every scar, thats better learnin' than any book can do for you. As for kicking over bikes, well I hope you can run REAL fast! hahahaha
 
I can tell you one thing, when that worst case scenario actually happens, you just move. No time to analyze, you know exactly what you have to do. You don't have time to rationalize, you just do what you need to. I think the best thing a person can do is realize that eveyone is a potential victim. Choose your path, and show the bad guy that you choose to do anything and everything to protect yourself and your family. No matter what the outcome, you will do everything you can to keep from becoming a victim.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

T
  • Locked
Preparing for training
Replies
8
Views
405
444
4
C
  • Locked
Top Physical Condition!!!??
2 3 4 5
Replies
118
Views
6K
hammer4nc
H
D
  • Locked
Police Academy: Physical fitness
Replies
19
Views
820
riverdog
R
Z
  • Locked
Prepared mentally for self defense
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
CountGlockula
CountGlockula
S
  • Locked
Training and Physical Limitations
Replies
5
Views
378
Sweatnbullets
S
Back
Top