THE COMBATIVE MIND: Thoughts on living a lifestyle of safety and security

The purpose of fighting is to win.
There is no possible victory in defense…
The sword is more important than the shield
and skill is more important than either.
The FINAL WEAPON is the brain…
all else is supplemental.
– John Steinbeck

Trainers have been using this quote for many years…I use it myself. Why? Because Mr. Steinbeck nailed it! It just cannot be said any more eloquently. Tools are just that…tools. Equipment, gear, kit, weaponry… whatever you want to call it will not win a fight. Sure they can enhance one’s ability to prevail in conflict, after all a Samurai sword will be no match for an M1 Garand, provided the individual holding the rifle has the willingness to use it. If not, it’s might as well be a door stop.

My friend John Farnum has a neat saying, “Willingness is a state of mind, but readiness is a statement of fact!” I like this and I have told John so. However, I would prefer to be combative. My personal, well worn, dog-eared version of the Webster’s Dictionary defines combative as “ready and willing to fight. Kind of says it all, doesn’t it? Ready and willing…both the state of mind and physical commitment to the task. Being combative doesn’t mean you are looking for a fight. Anyone walking around with a chip on their shoulder looking for a fight is an idiot. Why? Because anytime one enters conflict they run the risk of losing! You’re highly skilled, right? You’ve been in martial arts for years, been practicing with your firearms, even been to several of the big name training schools…no doubt you are ready to mix it up!

Do you possess the skill of a Navy SEAL, Delta Operator, Recon Marine, Air Force Para-Rescue Jumper? These are our nation’s finest warriors, millions of dollars are put into their preparation and training, yet they are killed more often that we would like because shit happens! Wrong place at the wrong time, caught by surprise, killed by a missile while sleeping, some 18 year old insurgent shoves an AK-47 around a corner and sprays the area and hits one of these operators, shit happens! There will always be someone who is more skilled or just luckier than you…why go looking for a way to test your luck or skill? Opportunities will present themselves and if you can avoid or evade then you are wise. Do you know the person you are getting ready to fight? They might not look tough, but how do you know? Kelly McCann once told me that combat was “10 percent skill and 90 percent attitude”…what is the skill and attitude of the person you are getting ready to engage? What you know to be true might not be…

When I was in Junior High there was a kid named Butch, I think his real name was Sandy, but Butch was much more intimidating. Yep, he was the class bully and everyone gave him a wide berth even though I can’t remember ever seeing him in a fight…that is until the day he misjudged his prey. He started picking on a “bookish” kid named Paul who was sitting in the hall reading a book, minding his own business. Butch zeroed in on Paul thinking that he would push him around a bit before first period, you know, feed his ego a bit. Butch kicked Paul, who was sitting on the floor, and told him to stand up. A crowd started to form which is what Butch wanted, well for the first few moments anyway. Paul asked Butch to leave him alone but he refused, kicking him again…and then it happened…

What Butch didn’t know was Paul’s Dad was a Golden Gloves Boxer and had taught Paul how to box. This put him in a whole new category over Butch’s school yard brawler style, Paul was a trained fighter but never telegraphed it. No one knew. Paul’s Dad warned him never pick a fight, but certainly defend himself…and he did. Paul stood up and began to give Butch a flurry and punches that Butch was not, nor ever was, prepared for. Kids started to cheer as hatred for Butch was universal. Finally a teacher saw what was going on and broke it up. Good thing too as Butch was beaten and bloodied by this time, crying like a baby! Kids lined up at the entrance to the Principal’s Officer to defend Paul, who had become the school hero. It was the 1960’s and politically correct discipline had not yet taken root so Butch was suspended and Paul was left to return to his books.

Paul never talked about his skills and never had to use them again, at least not as long as I was in school with him. Paul was obviously confident that his skills would work when he needed them, so did not have to brag about how tough he really was. Paul was the first “quiet professional” that I met, though I did not know it at the time. I have met many more since and always am impressed with their ability to be confident without cocky…it’s something they just have. Sure, I have met a few skilled and cocky (arrogant, really) people over the years. Many are instructors, but I choose not to associate with them as they give all the great instructors a bad name. I want to hang with those who prepare for battle but choose to live in peace. What I want to do in this space in the weeks, months and (hopefully) years to come is discuss what it means to live a lifestyle of safety and security, to be a quiet professional. Please check back and let me hear from you. What you think is important to me. Stay safe and check your 360 often!

Dave Spaulding is the 2010 Law Officer Trainer of the Year and Law Officer’s Firearms columnist. A 28-year law enforcement veteran who retired at the rank of lieutenant, he is the founder of Handgun Compatives. He has worked in corrections, communications, patrol, evidence collection, investigations, undercover operations, training and SWAT—and has authored more than 1,000 articles for various firearms and law enforcement periodicals. He’s also the author of the best-selling books Defensive Living and Handgun Combatives. Visit his web site at www.handguncombatives.com and like him on Facebook.