28July05

Alertness and training pay off for this student of ours in CA:

"This morning I was at my desk in a corner of the lobby, as usual so rting through papers. I noticed a slovenly-looking person approaching my desk fr om the side. I didn't know whom he was, but I did know he didn=80 t belong there.

I quickly drew my flashlight as I stood up. I directed the beam at his fac e as I arrested his forward progress with a strong, verbal challenge. I then

moved off the line of force. He started to ask a question, but never completed his sentence. As he fumbled, I informed him he was in a restrict ed zone and directed him out of the area. He turned around and left, mumbling to himself.

My training with Dave Manning, Larry Nichols, and you really worked! Even in daylight, my Surefire simultaneously disoriented him and forced him to l ook away. When he recovered and attempted to resume the conversation, he found

himself addressing empty space! I was no longer where he expected me to be . As he searched around trying to find me, I seized the initiative and announced (loud enough for everyone to hear) that he needed to leave. All this happened within a space of five seconds. It was a 'natural=80 reaction for me, because I have repeated it so often in training.

Some people at work used to tease me about being 'over-prepared. =99 Today, after the incident, several of them came over and asked me if I would train

them!"

Comment: Many of the protective/interactive skills we teach don't ev en involve firearms or weapons of any kind. Alertness and preparedness should always be "turned on," regardless of the circumstances. People who think they will be able to perform as smoothly as my student did in the forgoing scena rio without ever thinking about it in advance or exposing themselves to serious

training are naive fools.

One of my instructors puts it this way: "I expect myself and all my gear to be the toughest in the fight, and I am determined to keep going until I win. Toughness, durability, preparedness, and personal competence matter. I don't plan to have to worry about myself, my equipment, or anyone with me falling

apart when things get exciting."

WILLINGNESS IS A STATE OF MIND. READINESS IS A STATEMENT OF FACT!

Good show, my friend!

/John