Force-on-Force

22 Feb 10

Scenario-Based Training:

We just completed another weekend, Scenario-Based Training Program (Airsoft) at the wonderful Safe-Direction facility in Addison, IL.

There is little point in beginning students attending these, but well-trained Operators benefit immensely from exercising their skills and judgement during a series of complex and demanding challenges, involving their entire repertoire of skills. My experienced cadre of actors are trained to draw-out specific responses, appropriate and inappropriate, from students.

Attendees were all well-trained Gunmen, police and non-police, all of whom carry regularly. Students succeeded brilliantly, and blundered clumsily, learning and relearning with every episode.

My observations:

A group of college students were engaged in a river-rafting adventure last summer in CA. One of them suggested the entire group visit a nearby, notorious "nude beach." Naively expecting to see a herd of glamorous movie-star look-alikes parading around in the buff, their foolish hopes were dashed when what greeted them instead was a pathetic gaggle of unattractive, fifty-ish, overweight, harry-crotched, males wandering about aimlessly, hoping to be noticed. Sadly, they were!

Next day, when they recounted their distasteful experience to an older and wiser member of the group (who had not been with them), he replied,

"Well, you dumb saps, what did you really expect to find there?"

It is called the "Unrealistic-Expectations" Syndrome, and it is just one of several we cataloged last weekend.

Here are the others:

The "I-Feel..." Syndrom: How often we hear, "I just had a feeling... I can't believe I was so wrong!" The advice we give to all is, "Gauge your protective posture based on suspect capabilities, not suspect intent." Guessing at someone's intent is always dangerous. Betting your life on your guess is often fatal!

The "Feet-in-Cement" Syndrom: No one is immune from this, and it must be addressed constantly. When we confront anything unexpected, our tendency is to stop where we are, plant our feet in cement, and then gawk interminably at whatever is currently confusing us. We have to train constantly to keep ourselves in motion and keep our head up. Whatever you're doing, do it while moving!

The "180-Degree" Syndrome: No one is watching your back! You have to be your own partner, your own back-up. There are 360 degrees to a circle, not just 180! You need to think of yourself as being in the center of a sphere. There is more to it than just the Equator!

The "Stand-in-the-Open" Syndrome: "Cover" is an attitude! Constantly presenting your attacker with a nearly impossible target is the key to a long and happy life! Who have been involved in active military situations rarely break cover. The less experienced naively walk into the open in order to "get a better view," "let him see my gun," "so that I can address him more clearly," and a host of other dubious reasons. For one, I have scant interest in a "fair" fight!

The "Get-Closer-When-They-Don't-Appear-to-Understand-Me" Syndrome: It is common, when a suspect does not appear to understand our attempts to communicate with him verbally, for us to take a step forward, and then repeat the command. With each non-response, we robotically take a step closer. We should be moving in the other direction!

The "Stay-on-the-Trigger-too-Long" Syndrome: Many otherwise competent students, when they make the decision to shoot, get on the trigger and stop shooting only when they notice they are in slide-lock. This practice routinely generates numerous entry wounds in the back of the suspect! When a violent criminal, menacing though he may have been seconds earlier, clearly no longer represents a threat, the law requires us to stop shooting. Most suspects, when shot via pistols, don't drop instantly to the ground. In the vast majority of cases, they run away! Continuing to shoot at them, as they run, is likely going to generate a real criminal-justice-system problem for the shooter!

The "I'm-Confused,-Let's-All-Take-a-Break" Syndrome: "Taking a break" only works when we all agree on it. Just because you're ready for a break doesn't mean the fight, and all involved, will go along with you! In fights, there are no scheduled "breaks!" Whatever happens, you going to have to fight through it. No worthy opponent will ever give you a chance to catch your breath!

The "What-Am-I-Really-Seeing?" Syndrome: What you're seeing is a historical snapshot! In most cases, you don't get to know what lead up to it. In most cases, you don't know much more than you do know. So many times, what we think we're seeing is nothing like what it really happening. Don't jump to conclusions!

The "My-Good-Faith-Efforts-Will-be-Recognized-as-Such" Syndrome: Dream on! Whatever you choose to do, or choose not to do, it won't be perfect. There was probably a better way. You just didn't think of it in time. When you choose to become involved in a situation, the law requires you to do so in a "non-negligent" manner, whatever that means!

The "Once-Down,-Down for Good" Syndrome: Dream on some more! When shot, some suspects do fall to the ground. Seconds later, they are often back on their feet and dangerous as ever. When a suspect goes down, it does not automatically mean that you can safely ignore him from that point forward!

The "Everyone-Will-be-Impressed-with-My-Gun" Syndrome: Brandishing a pistol often impresses people and causes them to mollify their threatening behavior (at least rational people). Conversely, criminal suspects, particularly when suffering from chemically-induced mental illness, are routinely unimpressed. Definitive verbal challenges often assist them in reevaluating their position!

We are scheduling another such Program in Addison, IL this Spring. Many, it seems, believe they will benefit from this kind of intense challenge!

/John