Posted on 07/23/2012 10:08:01 AM PDT by marktwain
As I continue to read about the terrible tragedy in Aurora, Colorado, I can’t help but think there’s some lessons from my time as a Navy SEAL that I can pass on to the average citizen. So here goes…
Don’t Make Yourself an Easy Target
When at sporting events, concerts, and the movies, choose seats that give you a tactical advantage always. What do I mean? Choose seats that allow good and east vantage points and a hasty exit point. Always stack the odds in your favor. It’s the reason I still combat park (back in to a space) and sit with my back to the wall when I’m eating.
Active Shooter Scenario Advice
Take cover and not concealment. Concealment hides, cover hides AND protects. It’s the difference between hiding behind a movie seat or a concrete wall.
Don’t lie there with your eyes closed and get shot. Think and move. A good decision executed quickly is better than a great one never executed. Violence of action, as we call it in the Spec Ops community, will often change the odds in your favor.
For close quarter combat drills we’d draw a gun with someone over 20 feet away running at us. In most cases you can be on someone before they can draw and take a shot. I’m not advocating running straight at someone but if you have the tactical advantage (jam, re-loading, distraction or the shooter isn’t paying attention) then take the shooter down or get the hell out of there. Deal with the situation with your eyes wide open.
In Aurora, the shooter was severely weighted down with armor and his helmet would have also limited his vision. You can use all this to your advantage.
Flashlight anyone? I have one for daily carry and take it everywhere with me. It’s become another extension of me and has diffused at least two potentially violent confrontations in a non-lethal way. I recommend 200+ lumens.
How to use it in this situation?
I would have pulled my high lumens pocket flashlight and blinded this guy. The high powered beam would have taken away his vision for 3-4 seconds, which is an eternity and enough time to flight or fight. There’s also no shame in surviving and getting you and your loved ones out of harm – especially little ones. Be a Hero to your kids and family for surviving, nobody can expect more of you than that. Like we say in Survival Escape Evasion Resistance (SERE) school, “Survive with Honor.”
Concealed Carry
If you’re lucky enough to live in a state like Texas that not only allows concealed carry, but supports the use of deadly force, then train to use it.
Think seriously about whether it’s worth a Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit in states where you’re likely to get screwed by a jury if you use it. Example: I can get a CCW in CA but I’m likely screwed if I shoot somebody. The mostly liberal (I’m a registered independent for the record) jury will be sure to have my ass and it’s why I own a dog that’s trained to bite and protect (another good option). Nothing makes me happier then visualizing PETA pitted against other wild-eyed liberals.
Bottom line is that if you own a gun and have it as daily carry, you’d better rehearse your use scenarios both physically and mentally, and the same with the gun in the home. Mental practice is extremely valuable after you’ve mastered the basics. FYI, shooting paper at the local range will not prepare you for a defensive shooting situation. Rehearsing defensive scenarios is the only thing that will prepare you.
For most of you, the best bet is to buy a good tactical flashlight, there are plenty on the market. Specs: At least 200+ lumens, waterproof, LED, and a 3volt lithium battery. Use and carry your light with you at all times. It’s the best non-lethal and practical option available, in my opinion. You can take it anywhere – including on an airplane – and if it’s a high lumen model it will blind people in broad daylight. I can’t recommend this purchase enough.
Learn From an Expert
There are plenty of former Military and Law Enforcement that have great self-defense skills. Just vet your instructor carefully, ask for references and proof of service. While there are many solid instructors out there, there are also a plethora of wannabe Rex-Kwon-Do types who are self-proclaimed experts and worse – lie about their service.
Alter Your Lifestyle, and it May Save Your Life
Avoid opening night and large crowds (e.g. go to Disney World during off-peak) that make easy targets. FYI, most domestic and foreign terrorists want the biggest bang for their buck. They want Yankee stadium sold out and not Padre stadium at 60% capacity. It sucks to live this way sometimes but ask the survivors from Colorado if it’s worth a minor lifestyle change. I say it is, and it’s the main reason I’m watching the Olympics on TV and not attending this year. London is too much of a risk for a variety of reasons that I will not go into on this post.
Don’t Be a Victim
Rehearse emergency scenarios before there’s an emergency, the time to practice is NOT when it’s happening.
The world is a dangerous place these days. Be prepared.
A great book I’d also recommend is, Escape The Wolf by Clinton Emerson.
My condolences to the victims and their families in Aurora Colorado.
-Brandon
Brandon is a former Navy SEAL, and worked as a Special Operations intelligence & security specialist in Iraq during 2006-07. He is also author of the New York Times Best Seller, “The Red Circle”.
No Costco stores in my area but Amazon.com has that three pack for 20.90
http://www.amazon.com/Techlite-Lumen-Master-High-Intensity-Flashlight/dp/B0074D6PE6/ref=pd_cp_hi_0
Yep. that is my current primary light in my car. It’s backed up a rechargeble 200 lumen Streamlight, which I’ve had for years.
And then then I have my new little buddy a cree 700 lumen.
Irate having only one tool only to lose it or have it become useless.
Backup backup backup.....
*
I always identify the exits and make a note of potential cover. Many restaurants have large mirrors that can allow you to monitor spaces behind you. It is possible to do all this and not be a boor. ;-)
Yeah, I just ordered the UAG 200 lumen model. Wall charger, car charger, lanyard. I can use my heavy maglite at home — suddenly realized it’s ALREADY LED, lol. One thing for me, I’ve kept pepper spray/CS gas around for non-lethal defense, and I always worry I’m going to open it accidentally, or that it’s going to be clogged or empty when I need it. Not to mention, what if I try to spray somebody and they’re upwind from me?
The point about smoke is well-taken. A bright light on a foggy night will disorient the user as well.
Actually a slimmer one will work better as a yawara stick AKA bonebreaker). A little martial arts training will show you how to EASILY use a slim flashlight (2 AA's) or Sharpy pen as a deadly weapon. I carry my slim flashlight in my computer bag whenever I fly. TSA doesn't even blink at it.
“As I recall some Boy Scout campouts were almost like combat anyhow...everthing but live ammunition.”
LOL. It’s a lot tamer these days.
I’ve had that same 3-pack for 2-3 years now. They’ve held up well, are scattered around various places in my life. There are better lights out there (I have one or two), but you can’t beat these at the price.
When you’re there, get the Kirkland brand bulk packs of AA and AAA batteries. You’ll need 9 of the AAAs for these, and they’re just good things to have on the shelf in general.
I’ve seen a few places with signs by their spots saying “No Backing In.” As it was not in a great neighborhood, and at an “ethnic” liquor store, I assumed that “combat parking” could also be called “armed robbery parking.”
Local, State and Federal Regulations covering the sale, possession and use of such “offensive” devices coming in 5....4...3...2....1...
—vWhen you’re there, get the Kirkland brand bulk packs of AA and AAA batteries.—
I’ve always got a couple packages of each in my freezer. :-)
The differences I think of are you have to pay careful attention to vehicles on your sides at angles that aren’t real great, and that you may find yourself kittywhompuss and have to pull out and back in. At least once. OTOH, your point about the pull through is well taken, and there isn’t ALWAYS a a car on the left and right.
I’m going to give it a try. I also take the point about avoiding crowds - I’ve been crowd averse for quite a number of years. Besides terrorist attack, I don’t like the feeling of being out of control that you get - just occurred to me that the out of control feeling is probably exactly what the occupiers and anarchists DO like about it. I don’t mind the symphony or the ballgame that much, but the idea of going to an all-day rock concert makes me throw up a little bit in the back of my mouth.
For anyone who has read much of LTC Jeff Cooper’s writings, he would term it being in Condition Yellow. You don’t want to stumble through life in Condition White, completely oblivious.
Scroll down a little more than halfway to see one of his expositions on the subject.
http://dvc.org.uk/jeff/jeff13_1.html
On a more local note, we have Squantos’ long time tagline, that he doesn’t seem to be using at the moment, which should be brought up in the context of this thread:
Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
A few pings.
Fully concur. Love the tag line
If attacked, this Streamlight works really good for popping someone on the forehead and starting a good river of blood into their eyes. Head woulds bleed profusely and perps get queezy when the see their own body fluids leaking.
Left out the part about defensive use of frag grenades and using the theatre patron next to you for cover/concealment.
LOL! I know, you really can’t have everybody lined up in the restaurant with their backs to the wall; there’s only so much wall space.
As you suggest, a mirror is a good solution. But of course, most people don’t notice what’s going on around them anyway, so maybe the very first thing they need to learn is vigilance.
Well......you certainly would have attracted his attention.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.