2006 and it’s full steam ahead literally.

I arrived home just in time for Christmas and it’s now January 1st and I am ready to leave again for consultancy and instructing work in several countries.

This has meant some fast and furious advance work has been required on the e-mag front. If there is one thing that a frantic pace makes you appreciate is the pleasure of being able to what you truly enjoy as your career.

Although sometimes I wish there was more time for my personal training and related pursuits I am very lucky to be able to do what I am best at for my living. It makes me also realise that nothing is forever and to try and even fit more into a day, week and year to ensure I get as many of my projects finished as soon as possible.

I have also for all of my instructing life realised that I am but the caretaker of the package at this point in time and that I must ensure that I have highly trained and qualified people ready, able and willing to continue with the living practise that is military armed and unarmed combat. This means trusting in others and getting it right as the future depends upon such judgements and decisions.

Fortunately with military close combat being a very hands on practise with intensive and extensive training and testing phases that expose anyone but the strongest willed and best of combatants every weakness this process is made easier.

The reality of the training being voluntary also narrows the candidates to only the committed who are prepared to put themselves on the line. Combine this with required exponent training hours and instructor-training hours required for advancement, then it is more a case of self-selection.

Committed exponents and instructors identify themselves over the years on courses and come to my attention only usually at an advanced level. From these advanced level candidates come my instructing team and from that team are identified future senior instructors, my 2IC and the future chief instructor.

In fact basic exponents are seldom known by name before passing their first phase test simply because there is no prejudice or favouritism and to be recognised for further training one must first pass the initial testing phase.

The entire process is about the future and there is no easy way or backdoor process but there is recognition for those that have what it takes and commit themselves.
The regimen has been put in place and the seniors drilled in how to correctly oversee such a specialist organization when and if they are selected and chose to take the reins.

I am very aware that one’s understudies get their grounding and habits from their superiors and it is crucial for the future that they are taught in a correct and proper manner to ensure they, when their time comes are fitting caretakers of the package during their point in time of command.

This means that you need to bring them along at the right rate and trust in them by providing them with all the knowledge required to learn and progress at the right time. You must not keep them in the dark if you trust them, for who knows what tomorrow will bring and if they have to take the reins it is important that they are as well prepared as possible.

Much of their confidence and ability will be achieved working alongside you and by being given the trust and responsibility to develop their own individual means of fulfilling their duties and responsibilities.

I encourage individualism and thinking outside the circle but I also require individuals to operate within our rules, regulations and standard operating procedures. They need to be leaders if required and team members always, that are respected for their abilities and achievements.

Rank matters little on close combat courses, you are the chief instructor, course manager, or an exponent of basic, advanced or instructor level. The environment is very hands-on and everyone is involved regardless of rank but it is very much a positive learning environment where the future leaders will identify themselves and learn their ways from their superiors at the time.

It is a natural and carefully compiled process for the future that is not about individuals as such but is about the continuation of a very living but deadly practise. Such a definite thing commands commitment and there is no place for a second or detached body as the only place worthy is the official place where the experts responsible for its progression and continuation are in control of its future.

Unfortunately the same cannot be said for many martial arts that seem to splinter time and time again. Perhaps this is simply because it is an easier option or perhaps it’s because the wrong people are involved. Often the leaders themselves change styles like they change their cars and it causes even more break away or splinter groups.

If this was the case with military close combat it would be a dire situation indeed but for many styles this is the norm and surely cant be good for the future or for setting and maintaining high standards.

Many instructors have rank that has been achieved other than by moving up through the ranks and their practises are less than would describe in business terms as honest and credible. These people often command blind respect from their understudies and treat them like servants at and outside training.

Many of the leaders and followers simply appear to be able to earn rank with ease and with this can come a regime of wanting quick and easy progression by the same dubious means they have seen others rise in status.

The easy backdoor way where there is little respect for anyone or anything becomes the norm and standards are lost. Then there are some that decide its even easier to simply start their own style and promote themselves, who are they fooling? Surely they must not believe their own lies when it comes to their rank.

The reality is the future is dependant on our present ways that we train and qualify our understudies and for them to be in an environment other than the right environment, as far as correct and proper learning goes as well as earned official qualifications can only damage the future for the everyone. The future depends on the present and the present must be official, true and correct for the protection and continuation of the system, style or training package.