It's a FAMILY

People from all walks of life gathered to share one painful experience.  Police officers, soldiers, high schoolers, stay at home moms, lawyers, accountants, and more.  All going through the same process.  And the most amazing thing happens...they become accountable for each other, helping each other, putting personal differences aside and rising to the occasion.  Not letting each other quit or slack.  Pushing hard, pushing forward.

On February 23, 2014 seventeen students went through the longest belt test Masada Tactical has ever held: 8 hours long.  By the end of the day, 12 people earned their Orange patch, 2 earned their Blue patch, 1 earned a Red patch and 2 earned a Black one.

By the end of it all one thing was clear: Masada Tactical is more than a gym or self-defense studio, it is a home away from home, and it is a place where warriors are forged, not a belt factory, and we have standards that are met because our students recognize that when the moment of truth comes they will do the right thing ethically, morally, tactically, and they will do it at all costs.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

As always, stay safe!

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein

Masada Tactical

The Security Process

Safety and security, regardless of the focus, have a very specific process.  The process applies whether we discuss individual safety, the security of a building, well being of an organization, or even when planning a trip.  More often than not all are factored in.

What do I mean by that?  Assume you are a high net worth individual who feels he/she is in some sort of risk.  When you hire us to perform our security services we will examine your personal security elements at home, when traveling to and from work/school/social engagements/etc.; we will check what the security features are like at the places you frequent, including physical security, cyber security, even your reputation, and much more.  It is a complex process to say the least.

To run an effective security operation one needs a wide array of skills and expertise.  Self-defense or being able to shoot a gun is not enough.  One has to know how to identify risks, means to mitigate those, available resources and how to properly allocate those, and implementation of security processes.

All security operations begin with a risk and vulnerability assessment.  It can be done on your daily activity, or on the house you live in.  It can in depth and comprehensive or just look at a certain element.  But without a properly executed risk assessment the implementation of any security measure will be a calculated guess at best.

Take yourself as an example.  What are some of the risks you may face?  It can involve medial risks, domestic abuse, being hit in traffic, target for terrorism, and more.  you think I am stretching it?  Well tell me this: how many of you work in or by a government office, or a religious institution, or a fortune 500 company?  if you do then terrorism is a risk that is transferred to you just because of where you work or live.  Do you commute daily?  Is it a long commute?  Do you fly often?  Do you fly to unstable areas of the world?  Do you have high blood pressure?  These are just a few of the questions that you should ask yourself.

Once you identified the risks it is time to estimate the probability of the risk actually becoming a reality.  It is probably more likely that you will have a heart attack than get kidnapped (or is it?).  Based on the probability you will then estimate what would be the consequences of such events actually happening.  Will there be a loss of life (yours or others)?  Will there be a significant cost associated (ransom, loss of business, bills)?  Will it be embarrassing and/or affect your reputation?

Now is the time to see what can be done to mitigate the risk.  What is the cost associated with these safety features?  For example, altering your daily commute to be less obvious is cheeper and easier than buying a gun.  It is probably simpler to put thorny bushes outside the windows or get a dog than it is to spend thousands of dollars on high end home security features.  Is the cost of the proposed security feature worth the potential loss associated with threat it is supposed to mitigate?

You completed the assessment, identified the risks, came up with proposed solutions.  Now implement them.  Take actions to be proactive and stay safe and not wait until something bad happens.

Stay safe,
Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical

Belt Tests: do we really need them?

Yes!

I should probably stop this blog right now, because at the end of the day, that is the short and truly only answer to this question.

But why did I ask the question to begin with?  Honestly, many do not understand the reason behind what they may consider an archaic and traditional "ceremony" in a progressive self-defense system such as Israeli Combat System.

The reasons for which we do these "belt tests" vary.  But before we get into that let's discuss the name.  Belt Test.  We wear no belts.  Well...at least none that signify a level, only ones to keep our pants from falling.  Obviously the term comes from the traditional martial arts that make some of the basis of ICS, such as Karate, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, etc.  In addition, when we first developed ICS, we used to wear belts.  At the time the belts were in recognition of the primary system that ICS is rooted in: Skornik Israeli Combat.  We also wore them because when applying to have ICS recognized by the International Martial Arts Federation, we needed to show ranks and curriculums.  Thus, our belt system was created.  You will notice that our belts are not like any other system out there.  We start at Yellow and not at White, have Red before Black, etc.  We are unique to say the least.

There was also a practical reason for the belts, or more precisely to levels.  ICS is a comprehensive self-defense system.  We teach everything from personal self-defenses to ground skills and advance weapon disarms.  But one of the main beauties of our system is that there are no "Advance" skills, we only have "Basic" skills that are applied in a different manner...one that many consider higher risk.

As the risk level of the defense increase so does the need for the skill to be executed perfectly.  If an outside defense can be somewhat "sloppy" when defending against a hook, that margin of error is decreased when defending against a knife.  So even though the skill is essentially the same, the need for precision is significantly higher.

Belt tests allow us to promote individuals we believe have the proficiency to apply the more technical aspects of their skills to address new and more dangerous threats.

Probably more importantly though, Belt tests allow us to see who has the "heart" to make it through a grueling experience and not quit.  Belt tests last anywhere from five to eight hours (depending on level and number of participants), and are torturous from beginning to end.  Our goal is to get the students to the point of physical and mental exhaustion and see them fight on.  Like we always say: "the one who will win a fight is the one who didn't give up!".  We want to make sure that our students have the will to make it through hardship and come out victorious.

Call is a tad too much if you want, but at the end of the day that is what makes Masada the special school that it is.  Our members are warriors.

And don't misconstrued the ability to sustain the pain as an automatic pass.  We are picky.  We, as instructors, are looking for perfect execution of skills even though fatigue and stress are on an all high level.  As we said, these skills will be put to use in new and more demanding contexts, so there is no "so-so", it has to be great.  We fail people if we think they aren't ready to move on.  It isn't personal, but our levels are true to what they signify, not just a prize for being a member long enough or paying for a test.

One thing is for sure though, and ask every person that ever passed our test, once you completed this test of skill and will you will feel like you earned the right to wear the next level's patch.  We don't sell or give the next belt.  You will earn it, and be darn proud that you did!

For all of those testing this month.  Good luck, and may God have mercy on your souls!

Stay safe,
Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical.=

Morality: It's what sets us apart

Last weekend many of our members and staff went to see Lone Survivor, the remarkable story of Marcus Luttrell and his SEAL team members battling the Taliban in A-Stan.  For those who did not read the book or saw the movie, it is highly recommended.

A short spoiler alert: the battle is the result of the four SEALs allowing capture shepherds to go loose.  Once compromised the SEALs had three options: kill the shepherds, tie them up and risk them dying over night in the mountains, or releasing them and aborting the mission.  The choice was made to let them go.

Many discussions have ensued since about whether or not the decision was the right one to make.  Knowing now that three of the four would perish, people argue that they shouldn't have let them go.  Killing or tying them (which could possibly result in them dying as well) seems to be the preferred way to go by many.

Being Israeli, and a soldier, I find myself disagreeing with most.  I say Israeli because popular media is often twisting our actions to portray the poor Palestinians as victims, when in reality the IDF exercises one of the highest commands they have, known simply as the Purity of the Weapon (in Hebrew: Tohar Ha-Neshek) when executing any mission.  This simple term basically states that a soldier's arm will only be used against another combatant.  It was drilled into us over and over again, and often times Israeli soldiers put themselves in life-risking situations just to avoid violating this cardinal rule.

Hindsight twenty-twenty is a wrong way to evaluate the story of Luttrell.  Being a Monday morning quarterback is pointless.  Being at the time, in the moment, having to make this life or death decision, the soldiers had limited information, and had to base their decisions on the facts known to them right there and then, and...their moral compass.

Could they have gone the other way?  Sure.  And most would probably not judge them.  However, they would have to live with that decision.  And at the end of the day, maintaining the purity of the weapon is what separates us from them.

Few militaries have exercised the type of humanitarian approach to war as the Israelis do (click on Link to find out more). From providing medical aid to the enemy, to allowing civilians know when the next attack will take place just to avoid innocent casualties. Israel take whatever means necessary to do the right thing.  These SEALs did the same.  There is no higher virtue than protecting innocent lives...even when the chance of it coming back to bite you in the a$$ exists.

And ultimately, to all of those who say they would have done something different: I bet you that you wouldn't have.  I surround myself with good people.  Each and every one of my friends is like family to me.  I trust that their morality and ethical behavior is above reproach.  And if they ever did take the easy and less human way, then they are not worthy of being a friend of mine.

As always stay safe,

Tzviel BK Blankchtein
Masada Tactical

Physics: It's all around us.

Man, did I hate Physics.  I hated it while in high-school, and tried avoiding as many Physics classes as I could in college.  I knew how pretty much all of our lives are governed by these so-called "rules of Physics", but saw little, if any, applications to my daily life.  Even more so, I couldn't see how it would affect decision making.

As I became a personal trainer and dealt with body mechanics much more, physics not only became applicable, it even got, dare I say, interesting.  The way we move, injury prevention, and such terms as acceleration, power and force, and sustainability of movement, became what I did for a living.

And then I began teaching self-defense, fighting, and tactical disciplines, and all of a sudden Physics is what it's all about.

Can we fight, shoot, or address a threat with little to no understanding of Physics?  Of course we can. But it'll be stupid of us to do so.  Understanding how Physics is applicable to these functions can make us better at executing them...and allow us to make better decisions on how to and when to execute them.

Let's take a few examples:

Stances:  The way we stand, with feet staggered and spaced apart, assures balance and control.  Feet too narrow or too wide and you lose the ability to move easily or to maintain a stable platform.  Both essential when fighting and dependent on Bases!

Straight punches:  we often state that the kinetic energy (what is that?!?) that makes a punch effective is not the result of a muscular upper body, but rather of proper pivot with the foot and hip, all the way through torque of the fist.  Energy is the function of mass and speed, which are generated through proper mechanics.  The energy is created, transferred, and eventually deposited into a target.  Remember, energy doesn't go away, it is transferred into something else.  Therefore, the more energy we can generate, the more impact our strike will have.

Combatives:  Remember when you learned that an object in motion will remain in motion?  Well, that is why we strike or kick through and past a target.  By aiming and driving past the target we assure that until the strike is met with a target it will remain in motion.  if we decelerate and come to a stop too early, we lose much of the effectiveness of the strike.

Choke defenses:  we talk about "Biceps to ears" as means of creating levers.  Levers significantly lower the amount of force required to generate the same action.  Instead of muscling an opponent's hand off your throat, you can utilize a lever, a mechanical instrument, to move another object (in this case the opponent's wrist), with much less force.  This is crucial when defending against someone larger or stronger.

Israeli Combat Shooting:  Yes, even when shooting Physics come into play.  One such example is spirals.  Spirals are key.  By spiraling the shooting hand towards the target we are further ensuring a straight and accurate drive of the muzzle towards the target.  Think of a football spiraling compared to one that isn't.  The same forces are rules apply when punching or shooting.

You can find Physics in every move we make at Masada Tactical.  So keep that in mind when you want to make your defense or your strike as effective and efficient as possible...it all goes back to these laws of nature that govern our lives.

You hate to admit it, but your teachers were right.  You will need this stuff in the real world!

Stay safe!
Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical

Ups and Downs

So this blog post will be a tad more personal.

I had a very exciting day today.  I got to finally see the blue prints for the new Masada Tactical, and with that I got to start ordering many of the new items for the new space, including mats, towels, more fitness equipment, office supplies, and the list goes on.  It was energizing.  I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

I am truly excited for this new venture.  I am stressing about it because I want to make sure it is just perfect.  But I am happy that I have the opportunity to do this.

Those who know me for a while know that the new Masada Tactical facility is pretty much what I always dreamed of.  There is nothing missing from this place...at least in my mind.  But as I am looking into a bright future, excited about the opportunities, I can't help but think back at the past six and a half years.

How we are still around in beyond me.  We opened Clinch and Masada in 2007, just as economy began its downward spiral.  As if that wan't enough, we faced many other obstacles, from professional to personal.  It seemed as though we were doomed from the get go.  And as much as I would like to say that it was nothing more than the fight in me that kept me going, I must admit that most of the credit goes to those who surrounded me those days and kept telling me it is all worth it.  Not sure I would have been able to make it alone.

For someone with zero management knowledge I must have done something right, because not only did we beat the statistics of most new business going under in the first three years, but we flourished and grew.  We had to relocate to accommodate the growing number of members and programs.  A "problem" we face now again as we once again grew to the point that in order to keep providing the quality of service we pride ourselves on, we must expend again.

Rocky said: "It ain't about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.  How much you can take and keep moving forward.  That's how winning is done!".  And if you won't listen to Rocky, who will you listen to?!?

We got hit.  A lot.  Financially, emotionally, physically.  But we never stayed down.  We got up and kept moving forward.  And I am proud of our collective accomplishments, because Masada isn't about me.  It is a collection of people from all different backgrounds and goals, who managed to find a passion and a family within Masada and with each other, in order to build something great.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank those who helped, supported, and held that safety net when I needed it and continue to do so today.  I want to thank Vince and Ber for making it fun to go to work every day.  I want to thank Steve for keeping me straight and focused when I needed to.  I want to thank Darrell, Cy, Ben, Josh, Billy and all of the other instructors we had over the years.  I couldn't have done it alone.  I want to thank Zalman, Shelton and Angie for doing a fine job at the reception desk.  And I want to thank Phaygi for not only being a sounding board at work, but for putting up with me at home as well...not an easy task. 

 

Lastly, I want to thank our members.  At the end of the day this is all for you.  I am privileged and humbled that you want to learn from me and our staff.  Everything we do is to better our products and services so you never doubt your decision to trust your safety, health, fitness, and happiness in us.  We do what we do because of you.

I want to leave you with this quote.  Unfortunately I don't know where it originated, but I refer to it regularly to remind myself what I stand against:

"Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone telling you that you are wrong. 

There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. 

To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage, dedication, perseverance, and the will to fight through knowing you are right.  

YOU WILL SUCCEED."

So come to the gym on Monday, and take a look at the blue prints for the new space.  Let us share with you the next chapter of our journey.  And we look forward to spending many more classes, happy hours, cups of coffee, and other occasions with you all.

Stay safe,

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein

Masada Tactical

Prepping...not just against zombies anymore

When people ask me about preparedness I admit that I try to do some advance planning.  I am not building bunkers, or moving "off the grid", but I do think that some general safety precautions are most definitely required.

No, I truly don't think the living dead will be coming after me.  At least not in the sense that the media has had us think of it.  Reality is that "zombies", as in mindless ravenous entities, are already among us, trolling within arm's reach of the general populous.

For me zombies are those who in a whim will not hesitate to think twice about breaking an entry, stealing what they need, and possibly hurting those in their way.  I am talking about drug addicts, mentally disturbed individuals, and even those who suffer from poverty and who, when cornered, may need to fend for themselves to survive.

There are many reasons why a person, who may under most circumstances be law-abiding, will become a predator.  Most will do so out of a protective drive.  Out of the need to protect themselves and the ones they love.  Others will just do it to take advantage of a situation that affords little protection to those they can prey on.  But what will cause a person to cross that line?  History teaches us that it doesn't have to be a viral attack that leaves these people mindless.  We have seen occurrences happen after most every social, economical, political, and environmental collapse.

Remember Hurricane Katrina?  Massive flooding left thousands stranded, stores abandoned, and a playground for those who took advantage of it.

How about the economic collapse of 1929?  Again, many were left homeless, desperate, and with little to lose.

Examples go on and on.  It seems as though almost daily we hear about a natural disaster in one place or another, from floods to storms and fires.  We hear about civil uprising which isn't that civil after all, leaving people raped, beaten and stripped of all belongings and dignity.  We hear about stock markets crashing, tribal wars, racial discrimination, and many other ailments of our modern lifestyle that one can see how simple it is for a person to go over the edge.

So how can you defend yourself, without resorting to shooting a zombie in the head?  Well, you can invest a little in enhancing your home security.  Make sure that your house is not the one broken into.  Get a dog.  make sure that crucial items are always stocked and secure.  Make a plan to leave town if the situation warrants it.  Know where you will go and how you will get there.  Find like minded people to help you.

The CDC used Zombies as means of educating the general population on general safety and preparedness.  Follow some of their tips to enhance your current safety level.  

So invest a little time and effort in pre-planning for what is more likely and inevitability rather than a probability.  Have a plan to remain safe when the rest of civilization is starting to feed on your like.

Stay safe,

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein

Masada Tactical