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SELF TRAINING - Part
of the Key…… Regardless of your endeavor, there are certain primary
skills, knowledge or commitments we need to become a success. We often refer to
these elements as key to our success. I believe Self Training can be part of a
key to successful warriorship. I have a simple definition of self training,
it's when I go off to train myself. Usually this means I am alone during this
training…..but not always. When I go off to self train I refer to it as
organized self training, because I have dedicated a certain amount of time, a
place and skill sets to work on.
Even if you
are in the position to attend a training class everyday, I think your skills
will improve by breaking it up with self training. When I attend a class I give
as much as I feel is required to fulfill the instructors requirements or
expectations, but I'm always saving some in case I need it as the class
proceeds and usually there are time constraints on a class which prohibit full
development at that time. To me self training is the hardest type of training I
do, because I set my own goals and I set the bar very high, sometimes maybe to
high. "Train Hard, Fight Easy", ever hear that one? Train Hard, Fight East,
wonder who made that one up…..probably some pussy SEAL! The few times I
was in an easy fight I didn't call it a fight, I called it a lesson! And hey,
I've got nothing against SEALs, they are all good guys….a little on the
sissy side but what the heck……I'm just kidding!!!!
When I attend a class I am there to learn
something new, something unique, maybe something completely contrary to my
current skills. I'm not out to impress the instructor with my
"balls-to-the-walls" style. I'm out to get the most knowledge I can and apply
it then, or latter, but the actual skill is secondary to the information about
the skill, and the demonstration of the skill. Most important is the
understanding of how it works and how I can refine it and fit it into my STS.
When I'm self training I can take the
information and knowledge at my pace and on my time table I can work on
developing the specifics while fine tuning the skill to work for me. During
self training I can take something new and figure out how to blend it with the
old and smooth out all the rough edges. If it's a physical tactic, I can do as
many repetitions as required for me to get it down pat, without holding up the
class or showing off. I can do it during "dry practice", or draw out "story
boards", or film myself. I can do some things at home or in a secluded spot or
find a range.
Unlike when attending a class
which I seldom know exactly what to expect, when I self train, I am in charge
of the agenda. I set my own goals and expectations. Although reasonable and
safe, I always set my goals to challenge myself both mentally and
physically……in other words, I push myself way past any pace I ever
had to perform during course attendance.
Now
in self training we're not talking about teaching ourselves, we are talking
about learning from a qualified teacher and refining, modifying and adapting a
learned skill to fit our individual unique style. Of course the more you learn
from masters of the trade, the better position you are in, to innovate methods
to better fit your abilities and improve your capabilities.
If you are paying attention you realize I
have been using a lot of "me" words. Self Training alone, by myself is exactly
about "me". I am the one I concentrate on improving. It is I, who are training
me. It is my responsibility to improve me. I'm not out to waste my time or fill
my ego so I can brag about all the training I do. For me, self training is hard
work…..It's like I have this little instructor inside me driving me to
perfection, constantly pulling and tugging on me, continually critiquing and
criticizing my accomplishments or lack there of. Both me and myself take it
serious and I find myself very unforgiving.
When self training I work on those skills,
tactics and strategies (STS) that are specific to my abilities or specific to
my responsibility to serve another. Gun handling, marksmanship, equipment
tuning, physical fitness, mental conditioning, rapid decision making,
fortitude, commitments, philosophy, engineering, scenarios based problems,
integrated skills, are some of the areas I work on. Preparation is key during
my self training so I always start with a plan, a training agenda, identifying
specific areas I wish to address. Actual time allotted to any area within the
plan is directly linked by the available time frame dedicated to the training
session and I attempt to keep "on track" and "on time". Each self training
session ends with an evaluation critique of my accomplishment, success,
failures and progress. It includes specifics of those elements which I feel
need further effort, and if I am stumbling on a skill, I will allocate
additional research time to figure out why I am having difficulty. This
additional time or effort may include assistance from an instructor or coach
who can perhaps identify my problem with a fresh look from the outside. During
this critique, I attempt to remain focused and become brutally honest with
myself. If I have done extremely well, I may be content with my progress and
continue on to the next skill level or area, but I am never satisfied that I
have done the absolute best I can do! I never view any performance as
"perfection". And, although I may never be able to "out do" a performance or
progress in the past, my attitude and approach is, "I can always do better".
Whether it is working harder or smarter or both, my master plan is to out
perform today's progress, tomorrow…..I can always do better…..I can
always improve….
Each self training
session I do alone, takes me someplace to be exactly that, alone, by myself. I
find a place that is free from interruption and outside influence. Often this
is within my own home, often it is a secluded place in the wilderness.
Occasionally it is on a private part of a range facility. I start by allocating
the time planned for, the phone gets turned off, and what ever is pressing gets
put on the back burner. It may be only an hour, sometimes two or three, usually
a half day and once every several months I manage to get in a full day. No
wife, no kids, no friends, no work (especially no work…..hell I never much
cared for work any way!), no other obligations can get in the way…..yes
this does take some planning, but like I said self training is very serious to
me. When the self training session is completed I come out of my little shell
and catch up on what I may have missed and make up for my absence by paying
attention to the world around me.
Back
towards the beginning I mentioned that I do self training alone, usually. There
are times when I self train with others. Many of the operations I have been on
I was there operating alone. I like operating alone. Usually I can move faster,
make quicker decision and depend only on myself. Operating alone I reduce my
responsibility to the core element, me! However, working alone does have a
major disadvantage…..you are almost always out numbered. Whether it is a
military operation scouting or a "stay behind", or a police patrol or
investigation, or as a citizen civilian coming or going to work, alone implies
1. So you may not be out number during a confrontation, but unless someone runs
to your aid, you will never be on the superior force side, because you can
never have more than 1, yourself! Consideration of this small detail would
imply you better be on your toes….
There
is a very good reason the infantry has squads, the SEALs have teams, and the
police have partners. There is strength in numbers and often conflict comes in
gangs of those that do not care for you. But putting two defenders together to
fight against a foe is not always the best answer unless we address some of the
pitfalls. I'm sure you have heard of "friendly fire". It's a phrase we use when
good guys unintentionally shoot one another! It's a case of the left not
knowing what the right is doing, we get confused and misidentify our partner or
unit members and blast away at those who are on our side. It may also happen
when two or more combatants are working in close proximity and one or more fail
to coordinate their moves or actions with another in the group. This often
results in catching a slug from the rear. Either one fails to recognize a
friendly out in front and sweeps them with their muzzle blasting away, or
perhaps one thinks it is clear to move and inadvertently and suddenly moves in
front of a muzzle that is blasting away. Most all of the friendly fire
incidents are caused by poor coordination, action out of sync with others in
the group or partners not familiar with each other and working as an individual
with disregard for other team members.
In
between organized and structured classes on team tactics and maneuvers, I like
to self train with others. So, when ever possible, I like to set up training
plans with a partner or small unit and work on those techniques which are
enhanced with having a force of numbers. Most citizen civilians do not have the
requirements or availability or the need to be a member of a fighting unit, but
many do have a partner. A wife, husband, older kids, uncles, aunts, friends,
co-workers, that are potential partners during a conflict. Those who find they
have similar interest, should plan to get some team/partner qualified training
and get off occasionally to do some self training with each other.
Another good reason I like to self train with
a partner is sparring. Sparring is increditably valuable not only to improve
your tactical skills, but even more so to improve your strategy skills. Even if
your partner is a team member and you work so close you each know your partners
next move before they make it. A partner that well in tune with you, can be
very evil when they become your force-on-force aggressor!
Of course there is the obvious empty-hand
skills and other weapons like blades, clubs, chains, ropes, and how to best
transition to a firearm. I got hit by an empty-hand once (actually it was more
that once!) and more specifically it was an open-hand. Unbeknown to me the guy
had removed the meat from the palm of his hand and filled it up with lead, or
at least that's what it felt like when I regained consciousness!!!!
I refer to self training as "part of the key"
to successful warriorship, not a whole key. I feel self training needs to be
blended with organized structured training from a qualified instructor or
school. There are other types of training that may be available such as club
shoots, competition, and operations, which can be blended into your key. How
much of each dependents greatly on the individual needs and the availability of
each. I don't have a specific recipe or formula, but I personally spend a lot
of time with an empty gun or rubber knife. And, I realize dry practice does not
replace live fire or a sharp edge, it compliments
it…… |