A most excellent overview. Usually, I have a lot to add a number of things when someone writes a list kike this, but it's very thorough. The only thought I would throw into the mix is this. In the heat if it, time slows down. That doesn't mean you have a lot of it. Keep things simple, and only go with what works when you're scared shitless.
Absolutely time slows down, fine motor skills go away, you can’t remember shit form 2 seconds ago but you remember the fight with your brother when you were five. Shit gets weird under massive adrenaline dumps
I recently discussed this with Survival Outpost (YouTube) You literally can't train your way into things that there is no precedent for in your life. No amount of drills, simulations, even life fire exercises are going to cut it. My first actuall firefight, I panicked, turned and tried to move laterally to get a better position. Ran into a low ceiling beam, and damn near knocked myself out. The only thing that brought me back was everyone in the team laughing at me.(and pointing) Again, what works on the worst day of your life?
Yup. I've done similar things. Once, I was lined up in a high value target, and the rifle just went off.... Ok, I had the safety off, and my finger was on the trigger. And yes, I was ABOUT to shoot, but not quite yet. Then out of nowhere, my hand jerked like a cold chill does. Fortunately, it hit the target square in the head, and the shot diverted down to the one standing behind him. Two-fers! I was still pissed. Weird shit happens in all directions.
bottom line, when adrenaline and cortisol are dumping in to your system and you are under fire for the first time, you do weird shit. It's reality. The best you can do is train your neural muscular pathways to act without thinking ... and sometimes that saves you
Anything and everything that works. Old tyres, frying pans. No one's looking for a pile of trash. When we did urban ops,.we usually raided local trash piles for cammo.
Duty weapon with at least 3 extra mags, backup with 2 mags or speedloaders. Knife, slapper, hard back fighting gloves. 100 rounds of ammo + - and hand tools was my edc loadout on the job.
I can’t overemphasize Rule 0 enough, which includes the critically important Situational Awareness (SA) to prevent requiring lethal force.
I also, in addition to your list, always EDC a SOF Tactical Tourniquet Wide (SOFTT-W).
2x ends to center of mass, 1x to the head; notice the order.
Always think +1 WRT bad guys until all clear.
Know the difference between cover and concealment. Stop watching movies…
Practice like you fight and fight to win. I only use ranges where I can shoot and move, practice cover and concealment, plus use weight bags between positions to simulate a high stress environment.
If there's one takeaway from all of this, slow and smooth are probably the best methodologies. Trying to be methodical, keeping perspective. Panic shuts your eyes, and shuts doors.
A most excellent overview. Usually, I have a lot to add a number of things when someone writes a list kike this, but it's very thorough. The only thought I would throw into the mix is this. In the heat if it, time slows down. That doesn't mean you have a lot of it. Keep things simple, and only go with what works when you're scared shitless.
Absolutely time slows down, fine motor skills go away, you can’t remember shit form 2 seconds ago but you remember the fight with your brother when you were five. Shit gets weird under massive adrenaline dumps
I recently discussed this with Survival Outpost (YouTube) You literally can't train your way into things that there is no precedent for in your life. No amount of drills, simulations, even life fire exercises are going to cut it. My first actuall firefight, I panicked, turned and tried to move laterally to get a better position. Ran into a low ceiling beam, and damn near knocked myself out. The only thing that brought me back was everyone in the team laughing at me.(and pointing) Again, what works on the worst day of your life?
My gunner in desert storm dumped a sabot round into the runway of Jalibah Airfield and had absolutely no idea why he did that
Yup. I've done similar things. Once, I was lined up in a high value target, and the rifle just went off.... Ok, I had the safety off, and my finger was on the trigger. And yes, I was ABOUT to shoot, but not quite yet. Then out of nowhere, my hand jerked like a cold chill does. Fortunately, it hit the target square in the head, and the shot diverted down to the one standing behind him. Two-fers! I was still pissed. Weird shit happens in all directions.
bottom line, when adrenaline and cortisol are dumping in to your system and you are under fire for the first time, you do weird shit. It's reality. The best you can do is train your neural muscular pathways to act without thinking ... and sometimes that saves you
Thirty years in law enforcement taught me one magazine, even high cap, is NOT enough. There’s no such thing as too much ammo during a gunfight.
Nobody I served with ever complained about too much ammo
Yeah, full load out my arse! Depending on the op, I'd have twenty five if I could carry them.
in 1991 my tank looked like a gypsy wagon, I had so much extra stuff strapped all over it.
Anything and everything that works. Old tyres, frying pans. No one's looking for a pile of trash. When we did urban ops,.we usually raided local trash piles for cammo.
Duty weapon with at least 3 extra mags, backup with 2 mags or speedloaders. Knife, slapper, hard back fighting gloves. 100 rounds of ammo + - and hand tools was my edc loadout on the job.
I can’t overemphasize Rule 0 enough, which includes the critically important Situational Awareness (SA) to prevent requiring lethal force.
I also, in addition to your list, always EDC a SOF Tactical Tourniquet Wide (SOFTT-W).
2x ends to center of mass, 1x to the head; notice the order.
Always think +1 WRT bad guys until all clear.
Know the difference between cover and concealment. Stop watching movies…
Practice like you fight and fight to win. I only use ranges where I can shoot and move, practice cover and concealment, plus use weight bags between positions to simulate a high stress environment.
“Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.”
If there's one takeaway from all of this, slow and smooth are probably the best methodologies. Trying to be methodical, keeping perspective. Panic shuts your eyes, and shuts doors.
slowing down is hard, but works
Only three things count in a gunfight.
#1. Shot placement
#2. Shot placement
#3. Shot placement
1. The data on self-defense use of force doesn’t agree
2. My experience in the military doesn’t agree.
3. Shooting well under pressure is one factor.