Shane “Spiker” Gordon, the Todd Group Australian chief instructor and course manager for the annual course, once again ensured an extremely beneficial course was made available to all exponents.

The phase 3 course of instruction was conducted before the phase 1 and phase 2 candidates course of instruction begun. The phase 3 training was conducted in the good old outdoors which was beneficial to the many green role modules covered. The skills were instructed in the military combative specialist phase of training irregular line of instruction where everyone is equal.

The phase 3 attendees were first introduced to any of the recently approved new skills from phases one through three and then were given the opportunity to overlook my projects including the wheelchair self-defence manual, brain to boot psychological conditioning package and other official documents and records. The depot instructor's and senior phase 3 attendees were asked for the input in relation to all aspects of the Todd Group operation and Todd Systems tactics and skills.

Shane Gordon, the Australian Todd Group chief instructor, suggested all members regularly complete statutory declarations to ensure their circumstances have not changed since completing their official joining paperwork.

This will add to the stringent joining conditions and will most likely be included each time members receive a subscription invoice.

I believe as professional and responsible training providers we need to ensure all members’ details are current and any breaches of their initial applications are investigated and acted upon.

We also have confirmed that we will conduct a joint venture close personal protection course in 2012 between the Todd Group and Zennforce Protection Group. This course will be conducted on both sides of the Tasman and will include an international exercise component.

The course will be advertised soon on the Todd Group website toddgroup.com

There was also a brief on the upcoming International exported Todd Group course to our satellite training facility at the Ranger group Limited Lopburi Thailand jungle training facility.

The phase 3 course included continuation training in the Todd Systems of regular force military CQB and then training in the phase 3 armed and unarmed combat skills.

Immediately post the phase 3 course of instruction the phase 1 and phase 2 candidates arrived and began training in doors in a central modern facility that was convenient and assured maximum training time.

Both the phase 1 and phase 2 courses of instruction were conducted simultaneously side-by-side but screened off.

I was assisted by CQB phase specialist proponents and depot instructor's Anthony Gray, Steffan Erikkson, Angus Hall, Shane Gordon and Paddy Garty For the duration of the phase 1 and 2 courses and their expertise and willingness to assist the exponents was invaluable.

The standard of phase 1 candidate on the course was high and testament to the high-quality of instruction they have been receiving from their depot instructor's.

Maximum instructing and practice time was given to primary offensive and counteroffensive CQC with contingency options receiving list training time in an effort to ensure candidates on the test phase employed primary options as a first priority.

Some of the practice revision and rehearsals were very impressive with exponents achieving objectives in 1 to 3 seconds.

After the self-protection modules had been covered stands were set up with the exponents moving from stand to stand facing the various threats and countering them with their self-protection skills.

The tougher and sickener phases included an introduction to pugil stick fighting as well as coming back from the dead combat milling and counter boot party training.

By day five the candidates were showing high levels of retention and could execute skills fully committed on training equipment all with controlled aggression on their training buddies.

The afternoon of day five was being with continued practice at various levels of intensity of all the components of the phase 1 test.

During the week all exponents and instructors on course were given training in the exercise phase of the brain to boot psychological conditioning for battle program I have developed that will soon be released. They also had the opportunity to handle various pieces of equipment I have invented including the TSB 45 (tactical safety baton 45° South.

The importance of our exported courses of instruction is not only to ensure we set and maintain standards but also to ensure depot instructors are able to remain current and be privy to skills weapons and equipment research and development and have their input in regards to Todd Group management aspects and Todd Systems skills tactics principles and procedures.

Spiker Gordon looked after me, Gus and Doc with the greatest of hospitality and we ensured there was plenty of camaraderie constantly at the Gordon residence living up to the best of humour when nothing was sacred.

The phase test was conducted at the Gordon acreage on a sunny Gold Coast morning.

The candidates done their best to neutralise the stress factor effects of the phase but the reality of countering each other out and trying to achieve the objective while not jeopardising self or fellow candidate safety did to some degree reduce their proficiency levels achieved during the training revision and preparation phases.

However the standard was pleasing and the four successful candidates of the seven that tested achieved all the objectives with commitment and attention to detail.

There were three male and one female candidate that passed the phase 1 test and the unsuccessful candidates volunteered for the test giving it their very best and realising they may have required more training hours before testing but were willing to undergo testing to determine their capabilities and levels of proficiency. Well done Matt, Malcolm, Ben, and Michelle.

The Todd Group does not attract many females in our CQC courses of instruction but the handful that have committed over the years have proven to be highly skilled and possess high levels of intestinal fortitude and Michelle the female exponent on this course was right up there.

The Todd Systems test phase because of the skills being based on battle proven European military CQC give a committed candidate of any physical statue or gender the ability to achieve the objectives.

There are no gender or height or weight considerations with CQC testing and this makes it very different to competing in combat sports.

Combine this with no protective equipment and the need to achieve the objective of neutralising the enemy party and you will understand that the Todd Systems test phases have been developed to be as realistic as possible while maintaining the required safety practices.

Such testing regimes have been developed over decades and the reality is that just like in battle field CQC or urban self-defence where there are no weight or gender categories so it is with Todd Group phase tests.

The proof of the skills tactics and principles is again blatantly obvious when candidates of all physical statues and male or female can achieve the required objectives against fellow candidates that have the same skills capabilities.

This calibre of exponent willing to front up volunteer and give it their best and accepting they may well not be ready to test but wanting to determine just if they are and then accept the outcome as a positive learning experience is testament to the individuals inner resolve and willingness to accept the challenge.

I personally spoke to these candidates post test phase and they were realistic and practical in their abilities and capabilities accepted the outcome and I believe possess the right attitude to strive for self-improvement and retest again better for the experience.

Australian CQC Course Gallery