18 Dec 23
“Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-the-last mistake.”
Soldier’s Axiom
Yesterday somewhere in Israel, an Israeli soldier, in his IDF uniform, was at the well-lighted check-out counter of a convenience store.
This soldier was carrying a rifle (M4), slung over his back, muzzle-down. Hard to tell from the video, but I’m pretty sure a thirty-round magazine was inserted. Not possible to tell if a round was chambered or not.
The soldier was suddenly stabbed in the back by a terrorist who rushed-up to him from behind!
Until he was actually stabbed, it is apparent that this soldier had no idea he was in imminent danger.
Obviously, “well-lighted areas and CCTV cameras” represented no deterrent!
As it turns out, the soldier’s injuries were not life-threatening. The attacker ran immediately after just one thrust
of his knife, and was captured by authorities a short time later.
No shots fired.
This kind of precipitous attack is now far more common in Israel then before events of 7 Oct 23!
Indeed, this kind of murderous attack upon Jews in all parts of the world is on the increase.
Lessons:
1) I love the “Stealth Lifestyle,” where a low personal profile is continuously maintained.
Targets of religious/political violence are difficult to harm, when they’re hard to find!
In the foregoing case, being “readily identifiable,” by virtue of a military uniform, clearly made it easy for this terrorist to find and select his victim.
Yet, there are those of us who are denied the luxury of the stealth lifestyle, due to “duties and responsibilities.”
On-watch police officers and uniformed soldiers both come to mind, as do Christian clergymen wearing ecclesiastic vestments, and Jewish men wearing clothing items that make them easily identifiable as practicing Jews.
When one dons a distinctive uniform, it seems prudent that he also dons the correct attitude, equipment, and level of awareness that wearing that uniform demands!
2) Personal security emergencies involve short timelines! The conspicuous presence of a weapon (in this case an M4) obviously did little to dissuade this attacker!
This attacker calculated, correctly, that the IDF soldier he tried to murder could not get his rifle into action fast enough to defend himself effectively.
The lesson here is that any time you’re carrying a slung rifle, you also carry at least one pistol that you can get into action quickly.
Rifles are for “expected threats.” Pistols are for “unexpected threats”
Indeed, while in uniform the sage always carry a second, concealed pistol. It’s the pistol that potential attackers can’t see, don’t know about, and thus can’t plan around, that will save your life!
Chance favors the prepared. Fortune, the bold. Providence, the audacious!
Sun Tzu
/John
