I have written many articles on a wide variety of subjects from woodcutting to weightlifting, from herbal remedies to first aid. Many times, I wished to go into greater detail regarding subjects of a military nature or pertinent to combat, but I am limited by the amount I can write: books can be written on the subjects, and we’re trying to introduce readers to concepts. These will get you started…if you do something with them after reading them.
It is what you do with these concepts and articles that will determine how successful they will be in your employ.
That being said, there will be a time to fight. I want to emphasize a concept known in the Army as “Violence of Action.” This covers precise, measured action…not a berserk, uncontrolled frenzy…but a purposed delivering of the most hurtful response you can muster in a home defense.
Your culture…our culture…is based on authoritarian rules of conformity that (at times) instigate complacency during an emergency. “Wait on the authorities,” or “call the police,” or that ambiguous “someone will take care of it.” No. That “someone,” when the SHTF, will be you. Successful actions depend on a good follow-through.
All of the articles I have written on physical conditioning, weight training and basics on combat both with a weapon and unarmed…. all of these are your “basics” to build off. I have suggested different works to read to learn about the warrior mentality and ethos. Why? Why all of this preparation and development of the warrior mentality?
Because it is the warrior mentality that you will need to make it through, and protect you and yours.
Let’s cover a few concepts that can further your preparations…thoughts to consider.
- You are going to be faced with a deliberate decision: to act or not to act when it hits the fan. This may take several forms: escape from a large city or suburb and fleeing to somewhere out of a target zone…with dangers along the way.
- In a SHTF situation, the resultant frenzy that begins 24-48 hours later (or even sooner) may force you to fight…and “Marquis of Queensbury Rules” will not be honored by those storming your house and front lawn.
- Fight or Flight: you must weigh the threats and see which are viable…that you will have to confront immediately, or that it is best to withdraw from. Discretion is the better part of valor.
- Are you “finger-drilling it,” or is it for real? Are you ready…really prepared physically, mentally, and yes, spiritually…to act? On behalf of you and your family? There: it’s the next door neighbor trying to jimmy your back door open with a crowbar, and his two sons with rifles behind him. Are you ready for them? Or are you going to “offer some of them your canned jellies, preserves, and fruity treats” from your larder?
“Finger Drilling” is a term we had in the Special Forces Medical Course. One of the instructors was a skinny black guy who had served in Vietnam named Mr. R.V. Johnson. He was a stickler for taking real pulses and really assessing the patient in a primary survey…not just playing the scenario with taking a “fake” pulse or seeing clear breathing when the patient was told to simulate sonorous breath sounds. “Finger Drilling” was just going through the motions.
Are you going through the motions, or are you really preparing for what you’ll have to do…fight to protect your home and family?
- Take action on your training program…of marksmanship, of hand-to-hand combat, of physical conditioning. Take the action now. Train with the heavy bag, train with family members. Resolve yourself to carry out the defense of your family…in a controlled, purposed manner…with the violence of action and follow-through. No finger drilling. Resolve yourself to prepare.
Resolve yourself to fight, and when you do? Resolve yourself to win. Mentally preparing yourself to face the challenge is just as big a part of it as the actual engagement is. Review all of your materials, find a good instructor or training partner and get to work. We’re getting “long in the tooth,” and winter is getting ready to arrive in a short time. Utilize every task of physical labor to prepare you physically and mentally. We have a fight coming in the United States. It won’t be in a foreign land on CNN. It will be in our backyards and at our front doors. Now is the time to prepare…so that you can fight that good fight well…and win.
“Winning isn’t everything…it’s the only thing.” – Vince Lombardi
Jeremiah,
Perhaps it would be good to adapt your article for readers who cannot be twenty-something gym-masters. The smaller-framed, female or older folks aren’t going to weight-train themselves into Green Beret shape so they can defeat young thugs in hand-to-hand.
They don’t have to have SF body just a SF mindset which means train, train, train and train however; hand to hand combat is a last resort measure. Regardless of your size or gender you can and should get in shape. There many self defense course out for kids, women and men that will teach you how to defend yourself but you will need to train and train. I’m in my 70’s now, when I was in my 20’s I was in the LRP/Rangers and SF even then hand to hand combat was not first choice, it my last, I much preferred a shot to the head. So Mic, learn and then train and train on what you’ve learned. I sure as hell am not going to go hand to hand with young thugs today, so as all SF guys learn to do . . . I adapt and train!
No reason to NOT be strong and fit in your 70s ! see my comment above with the links for simple proof !
Didn’t say I wasn’t ~ just not like I was in my 20’s!
At my age there is no hand-to-hand fighting. I will not let anyone get close enough. In order to survive I have adopted a Trust No One policy. Think about it …. If things go really bad, I mean Waking Dead /Mad Max bad who could you really trust?
We, all, need to be in better shape, in every way.
absolutely, MJ both physical and mental, see my comment above with the links for clarity
Amen and Amen and rah!
I knew an old tutu in Hawaii who would garden in a crab squat because it helped her Taiquondo. She was well into her 80s and was exceptional with kicks. I reiterate, exceptional.
My advice on achieving the warrior mentality, go fishing. Planning, tricking, trapping, catching, killing. Its all there. Night fishing, I practice stealth and silent approaches.
I encounter that many deadly species of predators that one learns to be a predator.
There is a saying in the spear fishing/lobster diving community. When your hunting, sharks can tell, and are fearful of you and stay away. When your just going for a swim, your dinner. The difference between the two is your MENTALITY. The sharks sense it.
Not to be redundant but,,,,
There was a samurai who while walking through the woods became the object of interest to a pack of hungry wolves. The samurai stopped and stood as still as stone, without a flinch, blink or a single movement, the wolves ran away in fear. Thats a warrior mentality.
Rah!
Remember fast and hard not bulky like a body builder. Fast twicth muscles are not big. Hand to hand should include weaponry clubs, machetes, shovels, etcetera. You can bet thugs will be using weapons. There are less strenuous martial arts just don’t go for belts. Krav Maga, Systema, and even Tai Chi have self defense aspects.
Correct, long stringy muscles and not short bulky muscle is the ticket. And you can only get that with specialized training techniques adapted to each individuals body type. Too much bulk is the opposite of stamina and endurance as well as flexible movement and body core strength. This is easily accomplished once you know how to balance your endocrine system and metabolism via nutrition and your work out regimen. Everything is always about balance and that is how you accomplish the correct mindset and frame of mind with confidence and purpose. This also applies to every aspect of any training to include self defense and any type of weapons, all else is just talk that accomplishes zero. I am all about results and little else except first hand experience as a reference point. You cannot purchase the warrior mindset or simply read about it and acquire it, it must be earned and created by you ! The good news is all of it is easily acquired as well as great fitness, good health and well being. Just have to get off the couch and live it !
Yes, train with the weapons you would find lying around in a real world situation. My Sensei only trained us in a few useful weapons. The scythes, nunchucks, swords, etc. look pretty during a demonstration. But, it is unlikely you will find them in an alleyway. However, you might find a pool cue, broom stick, mop handle, shovel, etc. The other thing to learn is grappling since most fights wind up on the ground. I’m in my 60s now and can’t train like I would like. The military, sports and Ju-Jitsu took a toll on my joints. However, I still do what I can.
As Vince Lombardi says, “Winning isn’t everything…it’s the only thing.” I say, “if you win you are dead!” It isn’t just the body that has to be trained, it’s the mind that has to be trained. Without that mentality, all your training won’t do anything but make you tired.