[NousDefionsDoc]

Been thinking some tonight

Just rambling...

I recently saw on another board a phrase I like very much - "We die in the gaps." It wasn't exactly used in our context, but I think it could be, especially with initiative based ops. Gaps interrupt the flow, the Zen-like water wave of the flood. Gaps leave things needed doing undone.

If you have to rush, you probably caused it.

I try to be on the look out for ways to instill mindset in students. But I can do more. It is hard to get them to visualize unless you have the same number of instructors that have been working together for years to give them a demo. Over and over again. Even then, you can't explain it.

There is no substitute for experience and teamwork. You have to train together to fight together. And you have to experiment. New Targets - New Situations.

Mindset and professionalism are more important than we realize a lot of the time. We all spend a lot of time on individual skills - shooting, etc. I'm not sure we spend enough on mind set and team building unless forced to do so. Hanging with the right people I think is a critical element. Both mindset and professionalism are contagious.

We have to study our craft. Knowing the enemy, truly knowing him, will help. In the old days, most warriors personally knew or knew by reputation the individuals they were likely to face. We can't do that now, but we can know the groups inside and out.

There is nothing wrong with saying, "I don't know how." as long as you remedy the situation. On a good team, somebody will have the skill set - ask for help. Get a class on it. Plus cross-training keeps it fresh.

Long discussion on tactics over beer are a must. "How 'bout if we..." has probably solved more opportunities for excellence than anything else. But theory won't get it done, you have to actually try it. SIMs is a great tool for this, but you can usually see if it will work or not on tape.

My kit will never be "right".

Medical skills are perishable. So are comms skills.

There are a lot of skill sets that need practicing. Sometimes you have to get your ass off the range and do other things.

Document what you do, whether it works or not. Re-inventing the wheel is usually a waste of time.

Don't forget to have fun and smile - also contagious. Nobody wants to be on a team with a negative MFer all the time. That shit is also contagious.

"never volunteer" is bullshit.

Check lists are good. So are notes.

Being called "dependable" might not be something you want to say to the wife, but I'll take it.

Be there. Be ready is redundant.

Learn to write. Bunbu Itchi.

If you don't trust him - DX him. Life is short.

They were right about Quiet Professionalism. They didn't know it, they wanted it for all the wrong reasons and they didn't know how to go about getting it - but they were right.

Women shoot better than men, who gives a shit? That tells me something, but I don't know what.

Some people will rise to the occasion when pushed, others won't. Both are good to know - so push.

You only get the amount of respect you demand and deserve. If you aren't getting it, look in the mirror.

Paul Howe gets it.

If your shooting partner is dicked up, it's partly your fault too.

You can go too fast - and often do. Smooth really is fast.

I like the saying "Fight the enemy, not your equipment." You're not doing yourself any favors by scrimping.

Try to get knowledgeable people from outside your org to come critique your training whenever you can and get to that level. If you think you're getting it all, you're fooling yourself.

Be proud if you're good. Toot your own horn every now and then - nobody else will. But you better be able to back it up - because they will damn sure call you on it.

There's no excuse for an instructor not being able to do what he is requiring the studs to do. Be prepared to demonstrate anything in your POI at any time. This means you have to keep your own skills up. If you're going to strap it on, they have a right to ask you to prove it.

We're generally not training or working with stupid people - treat them with the respect they are due and don't abuse the position of instructor.

I can still stack rounds at 100 meters with an AR10 - but I have to focus a lot more than I did when I was 30.

Planning is a good thing. Choreographing is not.

If you're allergic to gunpowder, go work in a fucking bank.

Everbody has a bad day every now and then - it's what you do with it that counts.

Never settle for less than what you came for. It's a bad habit to get into.

I like the saying, "Don't be that guy, be the that 'go to' guy."

"Fook anybody that ain't us" is not necessarily an indicator of a bad attitude.

If you think you've found the "perfect technique" call somebody that knows and they'll screw it up for you.

You can have too many tools in the toolbox. If you're doing your job right, the guy you use it on will never see it again - 'cause he'll be d.e.d. dead.

Alcohol changes people - don't think you know your team mates until you've seen them drunk. Same with stress.

Putting five in a hole from 5 meters with a Glock doesn't impress me - putting two in the kz after a transition and mag change on the move at 16:00 after working all day does.

You have to be good cold and right out of the box if you want to be a Dude. Alot of people are good after they get warmed up. You also have to be good cold and tired and wet and hungry.

Snipers and Breachers are you friends.

Stairs and hallways suck, but all targets have at least one of them.

WWII combatives are simple, easy to learn and they work. Unless you are doing it for enlightment, enjoyment, exercise or fun - you don't need to be a Ninja to kick somebody's ass. They work good inside too - but you should never have to find that out.