28Sept06

We conducted an Urban Rifle/Shotgun Program in WA last weekend. As always,

it was a high-volume, grueling program. Scant glamour; just demanding exertion.

A student made these sage comments:

"Lessons learned:

(1) Indecision and dithering lead to lethal delays (gaps). Making a timely

decision, and sticking with it, is critical to winning.

(2) Skillful use of cover is crucial, but even more important is a prompt and adequate volume of accurate fire. Deadly-accurate fire, at once, is ultimately the best cover! Ending the fight quickly and conclusively is th e key to personal victory.

(3) Reckless speed, at the expense of accuracy, is invariably a death sentence. Well placed, deliberate shots are the unmistakable sign of compete nt riflemen."

How similar are comments made many centuries earlier by Mushashi. He reminds us that true manhood, true warriorhood, true scholarship, and true citizenship are inseparable:

" Dwell upon what is right and true. Do not fill your mind with se wage

Practice and cultivate the science; become acquainted with the arts; know the principles of the crafts

Understand the harm and benefit in everything

Learn to perceive all things accurately

Become aware of what is not obvious

Be careful, even in small matters

Do not do anything useless."

Comment: Merely learning a set of skills associated with the operation of a

machine does not a warrior make! True warriors relentlessly seek the True Way. During the journey, skills we all covet are added to us, almost witho ut our notice!

/John