Warriors Forged

Any one of our students that comes to classes, and even more so, has gone through a belt test can identify with the following statement:

The greater the challenge, the more glorious the victory.

Masada Tactical is unique in that we not only teach skills and educate our members about self protection and self-defense, but we instill the mindset to come out on top each and every time, no matter the obstacle.

Reality is that even when we trained with some of our mentors, for whom I have the utmost respect, in Israel, we noticed a tendency to go a little easier, to prefer technical competency over grit and heart.  Now, don't get me wrong, technical skills are paramount.  Even the most dedicated and driven individual may lose when fighting a superior technical opponent.  But in our mind, the will to win far surpasses the application during a physical confrontation.

The thing about refusing to quit is that it transfers to all other aspects of daily lives.  For example: many are the students we worked with over the years that have gone on to become police officers, soldiers, physicians, and many other mentally and physically demanding professionals.  Such that require complete fortitude of the heart to not quit and complete...and let us add, complete on top of their classes.

Many of our members have fought personal battles, combating misfortune to rise up to the occasion and come up ahead.

The will to win, to excel, to strive for the best is something that we try hard to instill in all our members, from the five year olds to the SWAT officer we train.  Did you know that the last teen belt test was almost five hours long?!?  And they all made it, like true champions!

So when I see other schools spend countless hours refining a skill on the expense of challenging an individual to fight his/her demons, I am left amazed.

Our members will battle their fears, pain, discomfort, lack of confidence, only to earn the right to stand along side their fellow Masada warriors, and perhaps even to not let this family down.

Boasting our own horn here, I am proud to be a part of an organization that not only provides its students with the best possible technical and tactical skills, but also with the mindset to win fights as well as every other obstacle life may throw their way.

That is how warriors are forged.

Stay safe!

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein

Masada Tactical.

Israel 2014

First trip to Israel is in the books.  Fourteen and one baby went, spent ten days touring, training, and experiencing Israel on all of its glory.

I could fill pages detailing the trip, the sites, the adventures, but no one has time for that.  What I do want to focus on for a second is the unexpected result of the trip.

We had the unique opportunities to visit some areas that are not typically accessible for the common tourist.  We visited the Gaza border the day 40 Qasam rockets were fired towards Sederot.  We toured with the IDF, border patrol and Israeli Police.  We saw how people live on 15 second cycles (the time that one has from when a siren is sounded before the rocket falls), and how within a couple of hours the area where the rocket fell is fixed as if nothing happened.  We visited a playground completely built inside a sheltered space.  We learned that life goes on even when the other side tries to get you off balance.  It is a different reality that most will never experience, understand, or appreciate.

The group by old rockets fired at Sederot.

It is the unfortunate reality that the way many Israelis live will never be exposed on popular media.  But, the members of our group got the unique opportunity to see it all first hand.

We also had the pleasure of meeting and training with special operations instructors and learn about the morality of the IDF and the resolute to end a fight and save lives at all costs.  We learned that a weapon is not a tool of choice but rather a necessity and one that the IDF will gladly put down once the enemy does the same.

We went to visit historical and religious sites, see the unique topography and beauty of a country.  What we came back with are fourteen ambassadors for the humanity and reality in which Israelis live by.

The Great Crater.  One of the wonders of the world.

That far exceeded any of my personal expectations.

As always, stay safe!
Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical