Are we training wrong?

It finally hit me.  As much as we try to make things real, and allow people to train in as much of a realistic environment, we may be training them wrong.  Or is it that people are too nice to their training partner?  Or maybe, just maybe, the severity of a true fight does not sink in with our members?

Let me regress.  For those of you who train with us regularly, you know that we are all about realism.  From incorporating scenarios into the drills, to the types of classes we teach, including the weapons classes and our FIGHT/Ground Survival classes.

In all of these classes we try to push the idea of fights being a dynamic situation, one which evolves quickly and in unpredictable ways.  Which is in large the reason we do not teach "katas", or sequences, but rather depend on principals which can then be applied individually by the practitioner.  We also emphasize the aspect of fighting which states that you are not bound to one set of skills.  For example, one of the reasons for this blog post was that during a recent stick fighting class people forgot they also have legs to kick with, fists to strike with, heads to smash with, and so on.

Following this recent weapon fighting class, which included skills and was followed by sparring, a seasoned member who just fought a new guest to the class was amazed that the way he handled the fight.  The problem was that he felt as though he lost to a beginner.  Another issues this member had was the frequent loss of the stick during fighting (he kept having his stick trapped by his opponent).  My explanation was that I saw two issues with the way the fight went:

1. Members who come to these classes typically do an exceptional good job when practicing a skill with a compliant partner, but once they are in a fight they neglect to commit to the strikes.  I am not sure if it is due to a psychological fear of hurt their partners, or that the dynamics of the fight confuse them.  But when a strike is not a commitment, it tends to be slower and weaker making a trap by the opponent easier, whether it is a stick or a kick.
2. As mentioned earlier, people forget about their other tools.  If a stick is grabbed what is topping the fighter from kicking or punching?  They should be using all the tools in their arsenal, not only the "obvious" weapon in their hands.

What we found impressive, and in a fact turned on the light bulb, was that the "new guy" had no such reservations from striking.  Very likely because no "bad habits" were yet instilled, and when placed into a fight, the new person was scared, and eager to strike and strike hard to maintain his safety.

So following this class, and others like it, and after talking to members who did well in scenarios and some that didn't do quite as well I began to think: how do I make sure members do not lose their "fear"?  How do they maintain that edge of healthy resistance while increasing their skill levels?

So I came up with a few solutions:

1. I will begin kicking in the balls any member who does not commit to his/her strike!  I assume it would be a pretty sharp learning curve.  If you are planning on hitting you may as well do it right.  Half-Assing a strike will get you nowhere...fast.
2. Protective gear will be utilized more to help members overcome their initial fear of hitting other human beings.  I agree, striking another person, especially a friend and training partner, is not normal.  But unfortunately we will fight as we train, and just saying "in a real fight I would hit for real" doesn't cut it.  I need to know that you will, and you need to know that you can.
3. Overall increasing the frequency of fighting and scenario based training.  Skills are great, but if we cannot reproduce them under stress they mean absolutely nothing.

Get ready for the next evolution of ICS training!!!

Stay safe,

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein

Masada Tactical

Ammunition Review: Fiocchi .223

As most of you know, from time to time we are asked to review various tactical items, from boots to optics, and as of recent also ammunition.

Most recently we were asked by bulkammo.com, an online retailer, to provide our opinion of the Fiocchi .223 (55gr. Soft Point):  http://www.bulkammo.com/rifle/bulk-.223-ammo.

Mr. Steven Otterbacher with BulkAmmo.com was kind enough to send us a few boxes of this ammunition which we gladly took to the range to see what it did.

We chose to test the ammunition on actual trajectory and grouping instead of ballistic impact.  So instead of shooting these rounds into ballistic gels to see how far they penetrate, or how they affect various objects, we just shot all the rounds into targets at various distances.

First thing that was obvious was the flat trajectory.  What that meant is that between 50 meters and up to 200 meters we had to make no adjustments to our sights.  The groups did shift slightly, but were all within the "X" ring.  For tactical application, or hunting for that matter, this means that this round will maintain a flat trajectory regardless of distance and therefore no sophisticated calculations or adjustments to sights and optics are required.

Second thing we noticed was that the groups were small, making the rounds consistent on impact.  The rifle was shot from a prone position, no bench rest was used, which means, that even accounting for human error and movement of the shooter, the rounds were still within a one inch group.  As aspect often overlooked when choosing ammunition is the consistency.  It is one thing to hit a solid group, it is completely different for the shooter to be able to reproduce those hits.  There are multiple variables that can account for inconsistent groups, and if we can eliminate one such variable by choosing a reliable ammunition we are increasing our chances of staying on target.

When shooting this rounds I ran two "tests".  Since I was limited in the amount of rounds I was given, I shot a few out a cold barrel to increase reliability and check performance through a "pure" pipe.  Results were good, but then again they were expected to be.  The second test however was shooting the remaining of the rounds following about 200 rounds of more corrosive ammunition.  The corrosion affects the trajectory due to particles inside the barrel that affect the rifling and the spiral movement of the bullet.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that no significant issues came up.  Not only that, but no miss-feeds or duds occurred either.

After the shooting was done, the rifle was cleaned.  The rounds were fairly clean (excluding corrosion by the previous load), and no residue was left on the action.

I would greatly recommend these rounds for your tactical and/or hunting needs.  These rounds can be purchased at:  http://www.bulkammo.com/rifle/bulk-.223-ammo.

Stay safe!

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein

Masada Tactical

Long Guns...Why We Need To Know How to Disarm?

"Gunman Kills 3 National Guard Members, 1 Other in Shooting Rampage at Nevada IHOP".

This was the headline on Fox News this morning regarding the shooting that took place yesterday in Nevada.  The main difference between this incident and past shootings, is use of a long gun, an AK-47B in this case.

Now putting the motives aside, the details of the attack, or even the aftermath, the topic of this blog is the fact that a long gun was the issue that needed to be addressed.  Also, this is not the first time that happens.  Various attacks included long guns, such as Columbine high school for example.


It is amazing that although handguns are getting stricter, long guns can still be bought and carried out of the store the same day.  Don't get me wrong, I am not proposing stricter laws for long guns, but the reality is that hunting rifles, shotguns, and even assault rifles are common place in many households around the country.

As you can see, the reality of having to defend against a long gun is there, and possibly higher than even a handgun.  However, many training facilities neglect to teach their students how to defend these common weapons.

So if you are in doubt as to whether or not you should learn how to defend against a long gun just read the news, and if you want to learn how to actually execute the skill check out a class or one of our seminars on weapon defenses.


Stay safe,


Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC
www.MasadaTactical.com

Nature throwing us a bone

Not even three weeks passed from when we did our Personal Protection seminar at Masada Tactical, and one can say that we have predicted everything to the tee.

In our seminar we identified the major risks we need to train and prepare for as: Crime, Terrorism, Civil unrest, and natural disasters.  Sure enough, the week following the seminar we witnessed the seemingly spontaneous rising of "Flash Mobs" that attacked and ransacked shop owners in Montgomery County, Washington DC, and Philadelphia, PA. The following week we had a terrorist arrested in Ellicott City.  That same week the eastern coast experienced one of the strongest earthquakes in the region in history, followed by hurricane Irene.

Now if that does not encompass everything we discussed, I don't know what would.  Were you ready when things happened?  Did you have a plan?  Did you set things in motion to keep yourself and your family safe?

This blog is not about patting ourselves on the shoulder (although, we most definitely deserve it).  But to use these events as a learning opportunity.  I titled this blog "Nature throwing us a bone" and not "Nature throwing us a curve ball" for a purpose.  You see, I think nature did us a favor.  True, many suffered.  Some more than others, but in my opinion this by no means was as bad as things could have been.  For most of us the extent of the storm was loss of power, no lives lost, no physical damage, and no injuries...for most.  Nothing compared to Hurricane Katrina for example.

So, that said, I think nature gave us an opportunity to test ourselves.  Were we ready?  What is your answer?

I also think I am not the only one that used this opportunity to test reaction and planning.  Many hospitals, law-enforcement agencies, and preparedness organization mobilized in excess.  I do believe it was done on purpose and as means for them to test their reaction and plans.  Using this storm as a full dress rehearsal for when the real emergency occurs, should it be man-made or natural disaster.

Plan, stay ready, and stay safe.

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical
www.MasadaTactical.com

It’s Time to Fight Back against Bullying……Literally

Today, a big focus is put on preventing bullying. Bullying in schools is destroying kid’s lives, creating internal, fundamental, emotional issues, and helps to form a flawed and broken identity for the rest of one’s life.  Without belittling prevention in any way (prevention is just as, if not more important than treatment/action), but with this piece I want to put a stronger emphasis on defense. Yes, prevention efforts to stop physical abuse on a child or teen is essential, but all that prevention goes out the window when the lunch table bully has a good choke hold around you or your child’s neck.  What would happen if the teen or child getting bullied knew how to defend himself against that physical and emotional threat?

Let’s take a look at another scenario. The 12^th grade bully approaches a teen, grabs him/her around the neck and shoves him into a locker. In a confident move the teen brakes free of the hold and is able to gain access to a teacher or friend. This will most assuredly end up with the bully defeated, and this teen that would have walked away from this situation broken and hurt, now walks away with confidence and a feeling of self worth.  

Although for a person who has been bullied all his life has most likely accepted the  fate that this will be a permanent theme throughout his life, learning how to defend yourself as described in the situation above is a REALITY. I know because I have seen it happen in my own classes. Every day people sweat and push themselves, learning the skills necessary to turn a sticky situation into a positive one. Prevention won’t prevent everything, and when faced with a physical threat the tools to learn how to defend yourself are right in your backyard. Don’t believe me? Come in to Masada and let me show you. Don’t continue being a victim!

Personal Safety in the Age of Terrorism

You are a target.  It's as simple as that.  From everyday thugs who want your wallet, to random shooters who are angry at someone/something, to the obvious terrorist trying to create as much carnage as possible to make a point.

You can try and pretend it isn't so, that you live in your secure house, in a good neighborhood, and that you just don't go to where "bad people" hang.  But reality is that someone at your office may be having a bad day, that your office just happens to be located next to government building, or that you drive a car made in a country that pissed someone off.

Have you ever considered the following:

• Is your office in the same building as a mall?
• Do you live downtown or in a commerce district of the city?
• Do you work or live near a large famous (or infamous) company?
• Are there any landmarks next to where you live/work?
• How do you commute to work?  Do you drive or use public transportation?
• Is your occupation categorized as "essential"?
• Do you travel often?  If so, where to?

These are just a few of the many variables that one must consider when assessing his/her own risk factor.  Like it or not, terrorism is everywhere, from downtown NY to railroads in Spain and summer camp sites in Norway.  Not to mention cafes in Tel-Aviv, or police stations in Iraq.  And if you think that is a far fetched reality for you, consider the students at Virginia Tech and Columbine high-school.  They thought they were safe!

But with all this said and done, there is plenty one can do to increase his/her safety.  Starting with a detailed personal threat assessment, on to means to mitigate those risk factors.  Lastly, putting in place plans for emergencies for yourself and loved ones.  

When was the last time you ran a fire drill at home?  Or when did you last assign a meeting point for you and your family in case of a natural disaster and you can't make it home?  Did you decide on a place to go from there?  How will you get there?  Is your bail-out kit ready and what's in it?

So many questions that we will be answering together on August 14 starting at 12:30 at Masada Tactical.  Join us for the Personal Protection seminar.

This class will provide participants with the theoretical knowledge of how to perform threat assessments, how to design emergency plans, and various possible scenarios and solutions will be provided.

This class is largely an adaptation of tools designed by Yuval Aviv, a former Israeli Counter-terrorism and intelligence officer.  Mr. Aviv acted as a special consultant to the US Congress and Fox News following the events of 9/11.

Spaces are limited for this unique class.  It is open to all members and guests.  This is not a self-defense class.

Stay safe!

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein

Masada Tactical

Walter Reed Un-casing of the Colors

The ending of an era is always sad, but the beginning of one is sure to bring happiness. 

Today I was proud to witness the closing ceremonies of Walter Reed Army Medical Center as they begin their transition to Bethesda Maryland, and Fort Belvoir Va. The transition is being made as a part of the Base Realignment and Closure Act of 2005 (BRAC). 

Although a sad day to see a facility whose service was so paramount, and can claim responsibility for providing medical care to over 150,000 soldiers, the transition to Bethesda and Fort Belvoir is a happy one. Not only are they moving to our home state of Maryland but it will allow the Medical Center to function at a higher level. 

This hit home on a personal level as well. As I talked about earlier my journey at the MD Police and Correctional Training Commission (MPCTC) came to an end and my resignation became official today. But just like Walter Reed, although the end of my career with the State is sad, the start of a full time focus on growing Masada Tactical into a power force of training and development is a happy one.  

Masada Tactical is happy to have had the opportunity to work with Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the past and hope our relationship will grow stronger in the future. So as the flags came down at the closing ceremony today I saluted Walter Reed on its accomplishments and wished it only more success in the future. I like to think Walter Reed saluted me back.