Difficulty and misfortune are a part of life, and how we react to them shows the nature of our character. I have found that positive changes are the most difficult to get started, and negative are the easiest to start, but the hardest to stop. Training is always plagued with adversity, finding the time and the money, traveling, submitting to the discipline of learning, and lately Mother Nature. With all the reasons to miss training, the weather is the one we have the least control over in outdoor classes.
The last 3 pistol classes I have taught, it has rained, all day long. One of the classes was 33 degrees and raining. That’s a good reason to stay inside, or to drop out of class. Now here is the surprising part, not one person missed class. In fact, one of our shooters heading to our annual Alumni Appreciation Day at our range in Dahlonega totaled his car on the way to class. Someone T-boned him, and while the car did not fare well, thankfully he was not injured. When the Sheriffs department finished the paper work, he told the deputy he was going to walk the 2 miles to class, and the deputy kindly gave him a ride to the range. My wife Shelley made sure he was ok and hydrated. He had also left his lunch in the wrecked car, so everyone pitched in to make sure he had food to eat. In the AAD class shoot off, everyone competes, including our coaches, and top shooter will win a beautiful knife from our friends at knifekits.com. Two of the coaches had the top score by 1%, but decided to give the knife to top student, which just happened to be our car wreck shooter. These wonderful people had turned a bad day, into a special day for him, with selflessness and kindness.
Nothing will stop these fine men and women from training, and taking care of each other. Regular Janes and Joes, citizens, and no amount of adversity will stop them being self reliant and compassionate. The rain became the adversary, helping all of us to move beyond our discomfort, and forge our discipline. No one complained, and more importantly the shared adversity bonds a group of complete strangers together in to a community.
The next time difficulty or misfortune plagues you, remember to simply keep going, be courageous in the small things, take care of each other, and we will all benefit and grow together.
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Published by The Complete Combatant, LLC
My name is Brian Hill and I am owner and head Coach at The Complete Combatant. I have over 35 years experience in training and instructional combative firearm techniques and Martial Arts. My expertise is primarily in the context of the armed citizen.
If you are your first responder, then you are responsible for a wide array of skill sets. Seeing, recognizing, and believing danger is the first task. Having a plan for avoidance, deselection and escalation is second. If these fail, the fight is on, and it must be won. The first time you have to use the different levels of force, and everything is on the line, should not be the first time you practice your non-lethal (mindset, verbal, walk away, flashlight, etc.), less then lethal (OC/pepper spray, Combatives, etc.) and lethal options (firearms, advanced Combatives, etc.).
One of the areas students can improve their self protection skills is through organization and efficiency in their approach to practice. Methodology, structure, and feedback are critical elements that are often overlooked, but provide the best options for improvement. Strategy, tactics, and techniques need to be practiced until they can be performed with unconscious competence. Equally as important is the client's mindset, and how they can strengthen their performance under pressure. Believe it or not, decisions are more important then techniques.
While I still teach, and occasionally use iron sights and shoot from strong side, I switched to the red dot sighting system/pistol optics many years ago because it has several benefits that just can't be ignored. The way we aim our firearm is an area that sees constant improvement. These sights offer a tremendous advantage in speed, accuracy, and application.
This RDC class will focus on the draw to first-round hits from concealment unless you have an open rig. We will work on proximal extension relative to the attacker, using the red dot to the most significant advantage at different distances, multiple hand positions that the armed citizen encounters during a fight, and stacking complex cognitive tasks under pressure. Biomechanics of movement and the neuroscience of the decisional process and training methodologies will be explored. If you shoot competitively or carry a pistol for personal protection you will benefit from this class.
The pistol mounted optic is excellent for quick and precise target acquisition, allowing a focus on the target. Transitions are greatly enhanced due to the simplicity of using the dot aligned on the target, as opposed to the three focal planes of iron sights. If you have vision issues, the dot may be the solution for you. I primarily carry in the appendix position which allows for a quicker draw, and improved weapon retention. Instruction in the proper draw stroke improves the use and safety of appendix carry, and in addition allows you to find the dot sooner.
I have specifically designed The Complete Combatant for our US citizens that "carry or want to". I have always seen a need for the varied disciplines of self protection to be combined. Proper strategy, escalation of force and employment of tools…is one complete subject. Making good decisions, thinking ahead, the proper use of non-lethal, less then lethal and lethal tools will help you to fight back more effectively. Being creative, tool cycling and adapting could save you or a loved one.
MEASURE. REFINE. PERFORM
Brian Hill
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