WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF…
By Ernie Medina, Owner of TRB Tactical Training
Routines. All of us have some level of routine in our daily lives that allow us to do things quickly and efficiently. In many cases these routines allow us to focus on more critical tasks in the moment that require more of our brain power, however, this is a double-edged sword. Routines can also support a dangerous lack of situational awareness that leave us vulnerable and open to assault and attack.
Of course, those of us that like to read ATF Magazine are typically alpha personalities. We believe to a certain degree we are tough and could handle almost anything that comes our way. Just ‘say when’. We enjoy the finer things in life like great whiskey and alcohol, fine cigars, tobacco, and some of the most finely tuned machines that are firearms. While this comes with a great degree of truth, have you ever had a come-to-Jesus moment with yourself and asked ‘what would I do if?’
“You make a snap decision and draw your firearm. In that split second every skill you practiced is what you’re calling upon to save your life ...”
Picture this: You’ve just left the bank after withdrawing a large sum of cash for a major purchase you’ve been saving for. You're on your way to run an errand from the bank, perhaps the grocery store or somewhere similar. Out of nowhere, three men approach you rapidly in an aggressive manner. What would you do? Two of these men are in hoodies and unrecognizable to you. The third man is in everyday working attire. You've seen him somewhere, but you just can't quite place where from. As they approach, you confirm two are wielding knives and one has a firearm. What would you do?
This is about to be the worst day of your life. You make a snap decision and draw your firearm. In that split second every skill you practiced is what you're calling upon to save your life, however, this is nothing like what you’ve practiced on the range. This time you're moving. This time you're holding stuff in your hands. This time you're concealing your firearm; having to clear your garment just to get to it. This time the kids are right next to you. In this fraction of a moment, you question everything about your training. You think ‘are my skills sharp enough to get me through this?’ Whatever the answer to this question may be, it's too late. You're in the situation and it's playing out, whether you are ready or not.
We can certainly agree that as law-abiding and patriotic citizens, we are reactive in nature. In self-defense situations, it's the bad guy who decides when and where the fight occurs. The only thing we have control over is our ability to anticipate, decide, and react in a way that allows us to seize control of the situation and win the fight.
In the situation I painted for you, let's think about some things that perhaps went unnoticed, resulting in that dynamic.
“None of these shots are taken with any high level of accountability or standard, or even push their skills to the point of failure, thus, no new learning occurs.”
One of the three assailants was indeed familiar. In fact, he was standing in line at the bank a couple of people behind you but went unnoticed. You left the bank and walked to your car focused on the rest of the tasks that you needed to get done before heading home, unaware that you were being watched by the two men you didn’t recognize. You made it all the way to the next pit stop without realizing that you were being followed and it wasn't until the attack was launched that your situational awareness antenna picked up any signals.
We can’t be aware of everything all the time. Total awareness at all times would take a very high level of mental engagement that the human brain could not constantly sustain. It would be like being in fight or flight all the time. What we can sustain is a high level of observation built into our daily habits. This allows us to identify and avoid conflict altogether, or at least help us prepare to deal with it before it's too late.
I want to focus on the part of the situation where you questioned your skills and your ability to survive this encounter. For some, the precious time spent on the range is somewhat recreational. Typically, it's at an indoor facility, with air-conditioning, and a table conveniently placed just above waist level to place their firearms and relevant gear. There's no rhyme or reason to the shots taken in this static, low-stress environment. For some, it’s an hour or two of unproductive target practice shooting mag after mag of one, two, or three shots in a row; sometimes aiming for the chest, sometimes aiming for the head. None of these shots are taken with any high level of accountability or standard, or even push their skills to the point of failure, thus, no new learning occurs. No skills are developed or tested. For others, range time may be a completely different experience.
When it comes to fighting, I want to win. I want to win by such a great margin that there is no question I have the advantage in every possible way. Most of us would agree with this attitude. Here's the difference: Instead of practicing in the aforementioned way, try shooting in a dynamic setting. For example, shoot while moving forward, backward, and laterally. Try putting a time standard to certain skills like drawing from concealment and speed reloads. Practice shooting with one hand and reloading with only that hand. Practice with the support hand to the same standard and proficiency. In addition, practice drawing and employing the firearm from various positions to include seated, kneeling, urban prone, and even on your back. Ask yourself, “Am I just as good doing all of these techniques as I am shooting statically with no stress?”
This is just to name a few skills. If one can master the fundamental skills and manipulations with their everyday carry firearm, both statically and dynamically, then paying attention to the things related to situational awareness become a lot easier. Winning that fight becomes a mindless task.
Easier said than done. Going to the range every day to practice these skills is nearly impossible for most. People have families, jobs, and commitments that rightfully occupy most of their time. What’s not impossible for anyone is practicing these skills in the best training center that everyone has access to, The Home Dojo. Almost all the skills that we need to master can be accomplished with dry fire at home. Dry fire can be mundane and boring, or you can make it fun and challenging. You don't have to drive anywhere, pay any fees, or deplete your stash of ammo.
Next time you hear your couch calling, ask yourself, “Am I ready if you-know what hits the fan the next time I step out that door?” Depending on your answer, train accordingly.
Ernie Medina is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, a former U.S. Marine Captain and is owner of TRB Tactical Training in Southern CA. Learn more about Ernie and TRB at www.trbtraining.com
