Caution:The contents of this article are for education purposes only. The principles described are extremely dangerous and are for military close combat training and operations only. Their application applies solely to the military.
Can security people go to Iraq to work close protection without previous military or close protection experience.
I guess so if they could convince anyone who knew what they were doing to take the risk of taking some one out that was not trained or accustomed to the realities of the territory.
I have heard from close friends with specialist backgrounds of individuals that have slipped through the cracks with impressive paper wars only to have to spend their time in camp as they are liabilities.
The unfortunate result is that they are gaining paper war credibility by being there but doing little, their CVs might read impressive but they know they have done little and those with the runs on the board know how inept they really are.
How do you rate the garrotte as a CQC weapon.
I don't consider it a weapon but more a device that is 99.9% useful as a back scratcher and practically never useful for take outs where better options are usually available.
Its best use is when the subject is seated or kneeling and even then it ties up both your hands should you be compromised.
It I guess does promote confidence being equipment rather than flesh and bone in construction that seems to be less prone to escape.
The make up of the garrotte as in the materials is very important for user retention and that it is robust enough and user friendly.
Most importantly are the tactics and skills in regards to its employment.
What is the difference in ground fighting the sport and ground combat as I have read in yours and other military instructors articles.
Apart from all the never grapple or ground fight in combat considerations and the tactics that are military roles specific in ground combat the means and method as well as objective are considerably different.
Ground combatants never go unarmed unless there is no other option available to them and even then they never ground and pound or apply submissions.
They would employ their primary weapons first and being shot stabbed or bludgeoned usually gets the escape and result.
They would use anything and everything useful around them if primary or secondary weapons were not available, the terrain itself.
Any unarmed options would employ the disarm disable and dispose of the enemy principle.
Cripple, maim, kill, incapacitate to eliminate anything that's not allowed in competition and in a skilled and ruthless manner.
What makes a good student or instructor of close combat?
This is a short question with no short answer. However I will try and keep it to a minimum.
Over the years I have trained thousands of exponents and trained hundreds of instructors. Just when you think you may have a close to perfect exponent or instructor they often let themselves down and inevitably let you and close combat down.
The problem is the mix required being intelligence, determination and physical toughness as well as mental toughness. They need to be able to lead or work as part of a highly motivated team. They need to be mature and flexible and innovative as well as confident competent and committed to nothing less than the best in skills,training and management.
They need to be realists and not sacrifice the battle proven for anything less. They need to be quietly confident and never afraid to do or say what is the right thing to do or say no matter how hard it is. They need to be sure of their commitment and that they do not waiver from their challenges or goals simply because the going is tough.
When they make a decision they should see it through and not be swayed by the uninformed, as if they are talked out of fulfilling their goals they were never that committed in the beginning.
They need to take the time and accept the challenges to achieve skills and qualifications and not opt for lesser challenges or meaningless qualifications. They need to be highly motivated and in control of their emotions actions and aggression as there is a fine line between aggression and uncontroled anger.
You can't buy rank or qualifications and you can't falsely promote yourself and anyone who entertains such ideas will never make it in the real world of close combat. They need to remember where they come from and respect their seniors and fellow exponents.
They need to be able to accept discipline advice instruction and take orders with out argument and accept hardships and disappointment along the way and have a willingness and a desire to never quit and always strive for better results.
They need to put in the time effort and pay their dues in a responsible and reliable manner. They need to be a person of their word and most of all honest and loyal. They need to be security conscious and answer to one organization.
They also need to be able to go way beyond what the normal person would entertain in many instances and possess extreme levels of controlled aggression and inner resolve.
As the saying goes from the rest come the best and they have to be the best. To find individuals with all the previous is not common and often when you consider Mr X a future candidate they simply begin to lose the required commitment or you find their short comings or weaknesses exposed or in this day and age their situation changes.
I have lost many potential achievers for many reasons but failing injury or death I have come to the conclusion that if they really wanted it and had high levels of all the previous attributes they would still be forging there place and being recognized and respected for who they are. Years of results and hard work can be over shadowed by a moment of weakness or a willingness to take unnecessary chances or break from rules and regulations.
The requirements for combative excellence are considerable and sacrifice immense but the rewards for being the best you can be and a respected combatant by those that count are the greatest reward of all.
Interested in Close Combat Training? Todd Group Depots are located throughout New Zealand and at various overseas locations.
For more information on Todd System of Close Combat see the following books, dvds and cds:
- Close Combat Books
The Do's and Don'ts of Close Combat – Tactical C&R – Control and Restraint – No Nonsense Self Defence – Military Close Combat Systems Phase One – Combative Masters Of The 20th Century - Close Combat DVDs
Self Defence of the Elite – 80 Years of Combative Excellence – Primary Option Control & Restraint – Military Unarmed Combat – Phase 1 - Close Combat CDs
Technique To Command – Combative Code of Conduct
