I train in self-defense. I am confident my skills will keep me safe. That said, if I have the opportunity to utilize a tool that can enhance my chances, why shouldn't I use it?
We all heard the maxim "Don't bring a knife to a gun fight", but the same holds for any kind of fight. Chances are that you were attacked, that you are taken by surprise, and that you are outnumbered and under-equipped compared to your opponent, right? So why not have something that can increase your chances of winning that fight?
Last week we hosted a seminar with Guy Rafaeli, a knife and stick fighting instructor from Israel. A forth degree in Silat and Kali, Guy taught many skills that one can perform with a stick. An eye opener for many of us.
I always carried knives on me. I even carry a gun on me most of the time. But you know Murphy, he doesn't play fair, and chances are that when I will need my tools they will not be anywhere around to be found. Fortunately, our work environment and the urban setting in which we live in lends itself to many tools of opportunity, from pipes, to bottles, and other sharp and blunt objects.
So, as I said, I am confident in my skills and abilities empty handed, and most of the time I carry a secondary self-protection device, but if and when I need one, I am sure to be able to utilize sticks and knives to protect myself.
Starting March 2011 Masada Tactical will offer designated classes in knife and stick fighting. These are not Kali/Escrima/Silat classes, but rather practical application of using those tools and in-line with the Israeli Combat System mindset.
Join us!
Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC
http://www.masadatactical.com/
Monday, January 31, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Law-Enforcement (and military) Standards
The new recruit academy started yesterday. Today they had their first fitness assessment, and for the first time since I got here, there is only one person who is sub-par! The majority of the class is in decent to good shape, some are mediocre, and as mentioned, one is slightly behind. Good news, right?
It took a while and many fights with the administration to establish standards for entry. But as we make this progress I hear of many agencies that are so hungry for bodies that as long as one passes the polygraph test he/she will most likely be hired.
Not only that, academies do everything they can to retain whatever bodies made it into the academy. tests are manipulated to assure that the weakest link can still pass the tests, extra work and training is provided, and when in doubt we pass the recruit and award him/her the certification.
But are we doing anyone any favors? Are more bodies, regardless of what shape, are truly better than fewer and better officers? Is the liability associated with poor officers worth the risk?
And as the title states, similar events are taking place in the military. From issuing cards for when a soldier is mentally or emotionally stressed, to approval for service of questionable individuals (whether criminally or medically).
Are we doing ourselves a favor or shooting ourselves in the foot?
What do you think?
Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC
http://www.masadatactical.com/
It took a while and many fights with the administration to establish standards for entry. But as we make this progress I hear of many agencies that are so hungry for bodies that as long as one passes the polygraph test he/she will most likely be hired.
Not only that, academies do everything they can to retain whatever bodies made it into the academy. tests are manipulated to assure that the weakest link can still pass the tests, extra work and training is provided, and when in doubt we pass the recruit and award him/her the certification.
But are we doing anyone any favors? Are more bodies, regardless of what shape, are truly better than fewer and better officers? Is the liability associated with poor officers worth the risk?
And as the title states, similar events are taking place in the military. From issuing cards for when a soldier is mentally or emotionally stressed, to approval for service of questionable individuals (whether criminally or medically).
Are we doing ourselves a favor or shooting ourselves in the foot?
What do you think?
Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC
http://www.masadatactical.com/
Thursday, January 6, 2011
What Do I know?!?
I am not that creative, I took this heading from a forum discussing handgun schools and instruction, but I wanted to relate it to what we do at Masada Tactical.
So what do I know? And more importantly, is what I know of any value to our members? Is it relevant? Is it current? Is it applicable to the needs of my students?
I truly think that one of the most special aspects of what we do at Masada Tactical is that we are ever evolving. Sometimes to a fault and to our members' dismay, our skills change. A technique that we taught a year ago may be replaced by another today. And no, it's not that we are undecided, but rather than we improve, we grow, and we continuously research and develop new skills to meet the needs of our members and other clientele.
We began with a good foundation. We borrowed heavily from Skornik Israeli Combat, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Krav Maga, and other arts. But right from the start we made it our goal to keep evolving and modifying skills so our members receive the very best.
It got to a point that skills developed by us at our schools are now taught and introduced to other systems and curriculum worldwide.
Our evolution is not random either. It is the result of our unique position as lead instructors with various law-enforcement and military units that allows us to get continuous feedback as to how our skills fare out on the street. It allows us to take skills that are not quite perfect and re-design them so the flaws are adjusted. If our initial system was a beta version, we are now on the 10.2 version of the new and improved ICS curriculum.
I challenge anyone out there to show me a better technique for any specific situation than what we use.
So what do I know? I know we work relentlessly to assure our members have the best tools possible. I know we test every technique to assure everyone and anyone can execute it. I know that time and time again we are told that what we teach saves lives. I know we will keep improving and strive for perfection as long as we are around.
Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC
http://www.masadatactical.com/
So what do I know? And more importantly, is what I know of any value to our members? Is it relevant? Is it current? Is it applicable to the needs of my students?
I truly think that one of the most special aspects of what we do at Masada Tactical is that we are ever evolving. Sometimes to a fault and to our members' dismay, our skills change. A technique that we taught a year ago may be replaced by another today. And no, it's not that we are undecided, but rather than we improve, we grow, and we continuously research and develop new skills to meet the needs of our members and other clientele.
We began with a good foundation. We borrowed heavily from Skornik Israeli Combat, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Krav Maga, and other arts. But right from the start we made it our goal to keep evolving and modifying skills so our members receive the very best.
It got to a point that skills developed by us at our schools are now taught and introduced to other systems and curriculum worldwide.
Our evolution is not random either. It is the result of our unique position as lead instructors with various law-enforcement and military units that allows us to get continuous feedback as to how our skills fare out on the street. It allows us to take skills that are not quite perfect and re-design them so the flaws are adjusted. If our initial system was a beta version, we are now on the 10.2 version of the new and improved ICS curriculum.
I challenge anyone out there to show me a better technique for any specific situation than what we use.
So what do I know? I know we work relentlessly to assure our members have the best tools possible. I know we test every technique to assure everyone and anyone can execute it. I know that time and time again we are told that what we teach saves lives. I know we will keep improving and strive for perfection as long as we are around.
Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC
http://www.masadatactical.com/
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Correctional Officers
I always say I work at the MD Police Training Commission. However, that is only partially true, the full name of my workplace is the MD Police and Correctional Training Commission.
Until recently I hardly ever worked with correctional officers, with the exception of a few instructors training and specialized classes, I have never trained their recruits, or ran any correctional-centered courses. But that is all about to change. As of the last month the commission, which I work for, has taken over the DT training for the academy level correctional recruits which was ran by another entity until now. This means that now they fall under my authority.
This is both exciting and a major headache at the same time. You must understand, on the state level (so we are excluding regional correctional centers and academies) the people who apply are not the highest human material. It is unfortunate, but many are illiterate, old, suffer from medical issues, and may even have criminal history themselves. Sad but true. Many get into the profession because it is a steady job with benefits, which in this day and age goes a long way. And the reality, with the extreme shortage of bodies, many can make a lot of money merely by picking up overtime hours.
But this is my concern: assume a fight breaks up, which is an every day occurrence at any correctional institution, or a fire erupts, and it is the responsibility of these officers to run, provide life supporting actions, fight if needs be, and provide back-up for fellow officers. Many not only will not be able to do it, but may become a liability and a risk in true incidents.
The state's academy is 5 weeks long. 5 WEEKS! That's it. At the end of which we are to assume these individuals can maintain the order at a jail. It is no surprise that many correctional officers get injured on the job, and many quit within the first year. They are just not prepared for the tasks.
Recently I was asked what I would change in this system. My reply was a complete overhaul, from better employment practices, stricter medical screening and background checks, to more intense physical component at the academy, including PT classes and Defensive Tactics which are strenuous, stressful, and challenging. Just like their job will be.
But the state needs bodies. That is the bottom line. If we make stuff harder who will apply, and worse yet, who will be able to complete the academy? Not the 350 pounds female who can't even go up a flight of stairs without feeling like she would have a heart attack...which she very likely will.
So, as I am writing this I wish we had a similar system to LA County Sheriff Office, where each recruit, upon completing a full police academy serves the first two years in the jails before going on the street. Can you imagine the experience and knowledge they get by dealing with the criminal element on a daily basis? The reality of the job? And the jails have such better personnel working it than just big fat lazy bums!
I doubt I will be able to change anything, it's just the nature of the beast. And I truly do have the highest respect to any correctional officer I know. They deal with the slime every single day. It should be their best interest to have the best people and the best training on their side. Unfortunately, it will most likely take some sort of severe tragedy before any real changes are made.
Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC
http://www.masadatactical.com/
Until recently I hardly ever worked with correctional officers, with the exception of a few instructors training and specialized classes, I have never trained their recruits, or ran any correctional-centered courses. But that is all about to change. As of the last month the commission, which I work for, has taken over the DT training for the academy level correctional recruits which was ran by another entity until now. This means that now they fall under my authority.
This is both exciting and a major headache at the same time. You must understand, on the state level (so we are excluding regional correctional centers and academies) the people who apply are not the highest human material. It is unfortunate, but many are illiterate, old, suffer from medical issues, and may even have criminal history themselves. Sad but true. Many get into the profession because it is a steady job with benefits, which in this day and age goes a long way. And the reality, with the extreme shortage of bodies, many can make a lot of money merely by picking up overtime hours.
But this is my concern: assume a fight breaks up, which is an every day occurrence at any correctional institution, or a fire erupts, and it is the responsibility of these officers to run, provide life supporting actions, fight if needs be, and provide back-up for fellow officers. Many not only will not be able to do it, but may become a liability and a risk in true incidents.
The state's academy is 5 weeks long. 5 WEEKS! That's it. At the end of which we are to assume these individuals can maintain the order at a jail. It is no surprise that many correctional officers get injured on the job, and many quit within the first year. They are just not prepared for the tasks.
Recently I was asked what I would change in this system. My reply was a complete overhaul, from better employment practices, stricter medical screening and background checks, to more intense physical component at the academy, including PT classes and Defensive Tactics which are strenuous, stressful, and challenging. Just like their job will be.
But the state needs bodies. That is the bottom line. If we make stuff harder who will apply, and worse yet, who will be able to complete the academy? Not the 350 pounds female who can't even go up a flight of stairs without feeling like she would have a heart attack...which she very likely will.
So, as I am writing this I wish we had a similar system to LA County Sheriff Office, where each recruit, upon completing a full police academy serves the first two years in the jails before going on the street. Can you imagine the experience and knowledge they get by dealing with the criminal element on a daily basis? The reality of the job? And the jails have such better personnel working it than just big fat lazy bums!
I doubt I will be able to change anything, it's just the nature of the beast. And I truly do have the highest respect to any correctional officer I know. They deal with the slime every single day. It should be their best interest to have the best people and the best training on their side. Unfortunately, it will most likely take some sort of severe tragedy before any real changes are made.
Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC
http://www.masadatactical.com/
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