Shooting? What for?

Yes, we make our members learn how to shoot.  It is not optional, but rather mandatory.  They can opt out of it, but they will not be allowed to advance past the first level of training without the mandatory completion of our Basic Handgun Seminar.  Later on in the curriculum they are requested to learn how to handle a long rifle (carbine/assault rifle), and advance combat oriented shooting classes.

Regardless of what your political views are, although I would venture to say that most of our members share a similar opinion on the subject, it is more of practical reasons that we make it such a requirement.  The bottom line is that if we would tech our members how to disarm a subject who is threatening them with a handgun, the least we can do is teach them how to be safe with that weapon once they gained control of it.

In addition, learning how to use a firearm provides the students with respect to the power that the tool harnesses.  So when asked to disarm or approach a subject who is armed, the members know the risks and express the right attitude in dealing with that armed subject.

Furthermore, I like to make the analogy to CPR.  We learn it not because we plan to use it, or because we want to, but because the first time we would need the skills shouldn't be when we decide that we should learn it.  Same with firearms, we don't plan on using it, nor expect to get into gunfights, but when the lives of our loved ones are on the line and knowing how to use a firearm could help, shouldn't be when we decide to learn how to use it!

As the weather gets warmer we will begin offering all of our weapon classes again.  If you are a member you should look for those since they are mandatory.  If you are not a member and just want to expend your knowledge, look forward to some exciting classes coming up.  Remember that there is a progression built in.  You must take the basic classes prior to taking the advance ones.

Stay safe and watch your six!

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC

Condition Yellow Stance

As you know, the staff at Masada Tactical never rests in efforts to keep our system evolving, and assure that we address all needs continuously.  Our staff meets regularly and evaluate the various skills, new threats that may need to be addressed, and develops new skills to meet these demands.  We do so every two weeks.

In the most recent instructors meeting we decided to introduce a new stance.  Yes, a stance.  sounds simple enough, but this stance is more than just a physical position, it is a state of mind.

Before I describe the stance, let me explain a term: Condition Yellow.  We didn't invent it, it is actually referred to as the Cooper Color Codes, and it refers to states of awareness.  To put it in practical terms, if you are at home, in your little bubble, feel as safe as you can and completely oblivious to anything else out there, you are in Condition White.  At the heat of a stressful situation, when all senses are in hyper-drive, and you are going into overload, you are probably in Condition Black.  And then there are the ones in between: Condition Yellow, Condition Orange, and Condition Red.

Until now we had two stances in ICS: Neutral and Fighting stances.  One is when we are not expecting an attack and one for when the fight is one.  But there was a flow in that.  In essence we gave our students legitimacy to be neutral, oblivious, in condition white.  Reality is that we should never be in that state.  As soon as we leave the house and are out in the real world, we should always be at the very least in condition yellow.

So what is this new stance then?  well, it stems from a law-enforcement term called "Interview Stance".

The Interview stance allows officers to assume as reactionary gap and a safe posture without necessarily engaging in a fight.  Similarly, we would like our students to do the same:

1. When facing a person, body should be slightly bladed with strong side back.
2. Head should remain on a "swivel" and be continuously aware of the surrounding.
3. Hands should be relaxed and placed where they can easily be engaged: such as cupped in front of the body, overlapped on the chest, or loose next to the body.  Hands should never be in pockets or crossed which would make any attempt to engage them in the fight, if one ensues, a slower process.

That is it.  It is a small change from our neutral stance, but when you think about it the state of mind is all different.  From now on we would expect our students to assume this stance whenever in class, on the street, or otherwise in a situation other than their home.

If a situation comes up where one needs to engage and get into a fighting stance, he/she should be able to do so easily.  Keep in mind that every step towards a fighting stance should be a step taken forward.  Again, more of a mindset than anything else.  Burst in, assume control: tactically, physically and mentally.  And stay safe.

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein

Masada Tactical, LLC

If you ever needed a reason

This will be a short post, as the video says it all.  If you have a child you MUST make sure he/she knows how to protect him/herself.  Don't live in a bubble assuming it won't happen to you.  Give your child the tools they need to stay safe.

http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/02/09/caught-on-tape-7-year-old-girl-fights-off-would-be-kidnapper/

For information about our child and teen classes call us: 410-415-6015, or email: info@masadatactical.com

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Owner, Chief Instructor
Masada Tactical, LLC

Resolutions: Do they work?

I will go on a short rant here:  I have been in the fitness industry since I was 15.  I have worked in little mom-and-pops gym, and large corporate ones.  I even ran my own personal training business for couple of years.  It never fails though, late December to early January there is a huge influx of members who swear this is the year they will get in shape, only to dwindle off by mid February.  I used to love listening to the true gym-goers, the ones who go year-round, tell each other not to worry about the crowded gym in January, because it'll be back to normal within a couple of weeks.  They were right.

Why is it then, that even though we all know it, this phenomenon of new-year's resolution which never sticks, keeps going on?

I think it is great that people set goals for themselves.  And out of every one hundred people who join a gym, two will stick to it, which makes it all worth while.  I think resolutions are great...as long as we follow through.

So why is it that we too often don't follow through?  My believe is that it has to do with accountability.  There is a reason that people training with a personal trainer are more likely to succeed.  True, the workouts are better, and you are pushed harder, but at the end of the day it has nothing to do with that.  It has everything to do with the fact that you had an appointment that you were paying good money for and you couldn't miss.  By sticking to those appointments the client is more likely to see results, which in turn trigger a positive cycle of increased motivation, more training, and better results yet.

Personal training is not cheap though.  It shouldn't be.  You are getting the undivided attention of a trainer who arguably is well educated and invested much in himself to be able to help you reach your goals.  Yet, not everyone can afford it.

Luckily for you all, our staff at Masada Tactical is dedicated to help you stick to your program.  We will hold you accountable to coming to classes...and you don't have to pay us anymore for it.  Your success achieving your goals is a direct reflection of how we are doing and we want you to make us look good!

How will we hold you accountable?  good question!  Here's how:

1. If you didn't show up for a week you will get a call from Billy.  Billy will keep hunting you down until you come back to classes.  Billy cares!
2. Starting mid-February we will have a fitness challenge at the gym.  It is a group effort, and you get rewarded for taking classes.  You are held accountable to yourself, your teammates, and us.  How about that?  for more information about The Great Zombie Hunt see the board at the gym or ask a staff member.
3. In March we will offer free fitness assessments and initial fitness routines for our members.  It is your opportunity to go through a medical screening process, initial measurements, and a consultation with a certified trainer that will then set you up on a routine designed individually for you.
4. The personal commitment: you don't have to pay a lot to have us take interest and pride in your success.  We are here for you.  During the month of February you will see our staff members approach you and ask you for your short term and long term goals.  Our staff will follow up with you, informally, from time to time to see how you are doing and offer encouragement.  We hope it will keep you motivated.
5. And if none of those work you can always purchase personal training sessions :)  Ask a staff member for the rates and specials.

Keep up the great work.  You took the right steps in achieving your personal safety and fitness goals by joining Masada Tactical.  Now let us help you meet those goals.

Stay safe,

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein

Masada Tactical, LLC

www.MasadaTactical.com

TSA...What's Their Issue?

Remember the days you could board a plane with a pocket knife and no one said anything to you?  The silverware you got on flights was actually silverware, as opposed to plasticware? and carry-ons consisted of pretty much anything you wanted it to be.

Obviously 9/11 changed all of that.  And I must admit, I don't mind the extra few minutes of screening, or taking off my shoes, or even getting into the imaging scanner.  I rather know that TSA is doing their job right and the flight I'll be on will be safe and short on potential threats.  I never do get the people who complain all the time.  Is it annoying to wait a little longer? Yes, it is.  Do TSA sometimes get on a power trip because they barely graduated highschool yet someone gave them a badge and told them they can stop whoever?  Yes, they do.  Can the process be more effective if other security elements were to be implemented (think Israeli airport security for example)?  Yes, it can.

But truth is that deterant goes a long way, and if potential terrorist attacks are foiled just because terrorists do not want to get caught, fondled by TSA employees, or getting the full cavity search, then all the above mentioned aggravation is worth it in my mind.  You are entitled to disagree of course.

All that said, I rarely truly feel safe on airplanes.  History taught us that even the most meticulous screening is subject to failure.  For example, about 5 years ago I went to visit my father who was in Las-Vegas for a convention.  Bare in mind that five years ago security was even tighter than it is today.  We all followed the colored threat level indicators, 9/11 was still fresh in our minds (for some), and some of the more advance screening methods were not yet available, which meant more hands on searching.  On this specific trip I only took one carry-on since I was only to spend 2 nights in Vegas.  My heart almost dropped to my pants when I opened my carry-on in my hotel room, about 4 hours after it went through the X-ray machine and was searched by a TSA "professional", and found three loose rounds and a knife.  Not my standard travelling items, but left overs from a recent trip to the shooting range.  Needless to say I discarded of the ammunition at the hotel and mailed the knife to myself in MD.

Point to be made: TSA fails sometimes...more often than they would like to admit it.

Being a self-defense and personal protection instructor I like keeping some control over potential threats. If I was able to board an airplane with ammunition and a knife unintentionally, one can imagine that an ill-intending individual can also accomplish that.  Should we remind everybody of the underwear bomber? or the shoe bomber? to mention but two.

It is interesting to see how the list of prohibited items on an airplane gets longer every time.  No liquids, no sharp items (as if I will clip someone's nails to death!), no lighters, no aerosol sprays, and...no Kubotans.

For those who do not know what a kubotan is, it is a cylindircal metal stick which was developed by Mr. Takayuki Kubota as a self-defense tool.  It is often used as a keychain holder and can be easily accessible and utilized in self-defense situations.  But as mentioned, TSA's "super-agents" will look for those and take them away from you if you tried boarding an airplane carrying one.

Luckily for us, some genius minds out there decided that wherever there is a rule, there is also a loophole.  Enter the Tactical Pen.  A re-enforced writing instrument that can be used to strike, stab, and apply joint manipulations or other control techniques.  Genius!

So today there are many "ninjas" out there who carry tactical pens (like the name by the way? Tactical!  Makes it sound some bad-ass!) but don't know what to do with it.

So fear not my friends, because Masada Tactical is here to help.  And as we often do, we get the best instructors possible to teach specialized classes, as with the Tactical Pen seminar that will be held on Sunday, February 19, from 1 to 4pm.  This class is taught by Mr. Richard Harding.  Mr. Harding is a former Navy Corpsman who spent the years following his service duty in Vietnam studying martial arts in Japan.  He later went on to achieve a forth degree black belt in Karate.  Mr. Harding was also a Baltimore County police officer, and is today the Physical Skills Coordinator at the MD Police and Correctional Training Commission. One of the things Rick is known for is teaching Kubotan techniques to police recruits.

We look forward to learning from Mr. Harding how to use the tactical pens we all carry.  Because at the end of the day, I am not sure I want to trust my safety to TSA.

Stay safe,

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC

The Zombie Apocalypse!

Someone at the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is a marketing genius.

One of the CDC objectives is to provide us, the common citizen, with public health news and protective advise.  But let's face it, who cares what the CDC says?  It's just another governmental agency which truly doesn't apply to us.  WRONG!  The CDC has much valuable information to share, problem is that no one wants to read it.

Enter the Zombies!  Someone at CDC (or more likely it's PR firm) noted that Zombies are the rage when it comes to pop-culture.  From movies, to fairs and walks, Zombies seem to be the rave these days.  So in order to entice the common citizen, the CDC created a campaign titled: "The Zombie Task-Force".  This campaign, which by now span to include blogs, merchandise and it's own line of protective gear, got more people to learn about general disaster preparedness than any other attempt in the past.  At the end of the day, the difference between a terrorist attack, natural disaster, or a Zombie apocalypse is minute.

(Check out the CDC blog here)

The Zombie craze is not limited to the CDC though.  It is amazing how many tactical training companies use Zombies as their attention-grabber these days.  From targets depicting Zombies (some even look like Bin-Laden, while other targets ooze blood upon getting hit), to gear designed specifically for a Zombie Apocalypse!  It is not uncommon to go to a shooting range today and see people shoot at targets with bloody dogs on them, sekeletons, or otherwise disfigured images of Zombies.

At the end of the day it comes down to "whatever gets people to listen and/or train".  If Zombies will get you to shoot more and practice, or entice you to get your disaster preparedness kit ready, then so be it.

Lastly, if you hang out around any Masada Tactical staff member long enough, you know that all joking aside we take our Zombie preparedness very seriously.  Steve A. just got a new Zombie rifle, BK has a whole plan on how to deter and evade the Zombies when they come, and Josh will be teaching a ZOMBIE DEFENSE class on Tuesday, January 17, at 6:30am!

Don't get bitten by the virus!  Join us as we prepare for the next threat!

Stay safe!
Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC

Why what you train in matters

I am aware of the fact that there is only one Masada Tactical out there...for now.  And people who are seeking training and can't come to MT need to train in other styles and locations.  I often say that any training is better than no training.

I heard Lt. Col. Dave Grossman say this before and I have always expressed a similar sentiment: your choice of recreational activity should in some mean enhance skills that matter.  For most of us this means skills that can help us survive!  This means that when we choose to do something, we may as well do something that will make us better: strength training, hunting, self-defense training, orienteering, etc., all are good examples of activities we can do for fun and will enhance our survival skills one way or another.  One of my favorite quotes by Mr. Grossman is: "Golf is a complete wast of time.  Every golf course is miss-use of a perfectly good shooting range!".

So when people go and train in any martial art I think it is great.  Anything from traditional Japanese arts to Thai-Chi will have some benefit to it.  That said, there is an inherit risk in training in an art that may give its practitioner a false sense of confidence.  We see this most often with MMA fighters.

I have the utmost respect to MMA fighters.  They train hard and in a variety of disciplines to make them better rounded fighters.  However, from a self-defense standpoint, MMA lacks certain skills and attitude.  MMA fighters like the ground, we try to stay off of it.  MMA fighters go for points and submissions, we go for a complete annihilation of the opponent.  MMA does not teach how to address weapons, while we do.

The problem comes up when an MMA fighter tries to use his skills to defend a threat that is not subject to the rules of the ring.  This video shows an individual who decides to react to a subject with a handgun.  The defender uses kicks to defend himself against a handgun.  End result, he is shot in the left shoulder.
Handgun disarm with a kick?!?

So, although I encourage training, in whatever you can, keep in mind our goals in training, and if self-defense is what you are trying to accomplish, choose a school and system that will provide you with those tools!

Stay safe!

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC