V.I.P.A Tactical Training


  • Home
  • Overview of the VIPA System
  • Civilian Self Protection Program
  • Close Protection Combat Systems
  • Police Defence Tactics
  • Military Close Quarter Combat
  • Course Instructors
  • Course Dates
  • Private Tuition
  • Rock's Blog
  • Shop
  • Contact Us

Targets and their Acquisition

4/18/2013

4 Comments

 
Target acquisition is usually covered from our perspective when in a combat situation we need to have the awareness to recognise and engage targets as and when they are presented to us. Here though we are going to look at target acquisition from the perspective of the wolf.

As our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have suffered and are suffering from the terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon this week, it is another wake up call and a reminder that complacency can creep up not only on an individual, but also on a community and a country.

Today's battlefields have changed since 2003, the enemy no longer wears a uniform, has no respect for the Geneva Convention and does not distinguish from combatants and none combatants. Everyone is a potential target.
Picture



Terrorists today are just as likely to look like this.

Picture




                                          As much as this.

This is a fact and encompasses the whole of the wolf pack, from the terrorist to the serial killer, kidnapper, rapist and down to the lowly mugger. None are concerned with your age or your gender and depending on their social, philosophical, ideological, religious beliefs or mental state, they will all have specific target designations that they will actively acquire.

It does not matter if the target is an individual person, an event, an industrial complex or a shopping mall. They all have one thing in common, they will all be what is classed as a soft target.

Attacking soft targets is not a new phenomena, during in WWII resistance fighters and small units of SF would attack rail routes, bridges, factories and docks, all soft targets and attacked to disrupt troop and supply movements, to tie up troops which would otherwise be engaged in frontline combat and to undermine the moral of the German forces.

In the military we are taught to 'Hard Target' especially when leaving buildings or crossing open ground. By sprinting and zigzagging it makes it harder for a sniper or other enemy combatants from zeroing in on us for a kill shot.

Target hardening is what you as an individual must do to avoid becoming a soft target. You need to do this not only physically and mentally but every part of your life must be hardened against attack. Your daily life should offer no easy access to any variety of wolf. This includes your family, home, vehicle, work place, routines or better still lack of them. Measures must be adopted which will make the wolf go and look elsewhere for a softer target.

Businesses need to harden their immediate suroundings, staff need to be trained in anti-terrorism procedures, and all forms of information must be secured and all procedures routinely checked and tested.

Communities can be hardened through training programs to help with self policing and to foster a better community spirit where helping your neighbour becomes once again a common occurrence.

Your life is your responsibility and it is your responsibility to protect it at all costs.

Would you call this in or leave it up to someone else? If you wouldn't call it in why not?
Picture

I have a number of phrases that I use to help people keep focused, to help them keep switched on and not let complacency creep up on them.

'Just because it looks like nothing is going on, doesn't mean nothing is going on'

Stay Dangerous

Rock
4 Comments
Lew Johnson
4/19/2013 02:26:19 am

Mr. Higgins,

Sound Blog. It is difficult to imbue the American Sheeple with the notions of Personal Responsibility for their safety. The American Sheepiticans have done a terrific job of pulling THEIR wool over the Sheeple's eyes. I have been in the continuous loop of being trained, operating and teaching Military/LE and AmCits for the better part of 35 years. I have found the most difficult classes are Mindset, then Awareness Techniques to "Civilians" and LE. Many of them believe that by carrying the handgun and/or THE BADGE will curtail any and all aggression. For the LE Guys and Gals it is also difficult to get them to understand that the handgun is DEFENSIVE, you use it to fight back to your rifle since you neglected to bring it to the fight initially.

Cheers, Bsafe and watch UR6,

Lew



Reply
Rock
4/19/2013 02:44:56 am

Hi Lew

Thanks for your comment. It still goes back to the old mindset of 'It won't happen to me' or people are more scared of being scared and then stick their heads in the sand and hope for the best.

There are some good self protection instructors out there who train people in awareness techniques but I have found it is the martial arts hobbyist that lack this knowledge and concentrate on the final act of physical combat.

LE personnel can be just as bad, I have just watched an arrest for the last 30 minutes, 3 officers and 1 suspect, all three officers at some point were within handshake range and one officer was trying to search the suspect while holding the suspects wrists which were cuffed. No multple officer tactics and no awareness that the suspect was getting more and more agitated.

LE do need to understand that they need to be able to change from an LE mindset into a military mindset when dealing with combat.

Reply
Bob Killackey link
4/19/2013 08:43:11 am

Not dating myself, but I find Jeff Cooper's Color Code Conditions of Awareness helpful (Condition White = Oblivious / Switched Off to Code Red = Attack Mode / Switched On) for maintaining situational awareness and determining what posture / arming stance to take. I also like the sheep, wolf, and sheepdog analogy for determining one's role and corresponding mindset. As a retired Marine with some AT/CT exposure who is now a public HS teacher, I am finding the school wide "See Something /Hear Something / Say Something" mantra well accepted by students, teachers, and staff. Following Newtown, we conducted a school seminar where we focused on the theme the school is a series of teams, we loove out for each other, and if someone tries to hurt one of us they are trying to hurt all of us...etc. You can start to change an organizational level of awareness but it takes leadership (our principal), focus, and time.

Reply
Rock
4/19/2013 09:19:26 am

Hi Bob

Cooper colour codes are an invaluable tool which can be used by everyone. The sheep and wolf analogies perfectly fit within what is happening in today's society but for my view of the sheepdog check on my past blogs.

Nice to hear of your work within schools. Which have taken the brunt of active shooter incidents of late. Do you think that if there were not as many incidents then school boards would not be so quick to implement new training ideas?

Though the gun debate within schools is still far from being solved. That is for another discussion I think.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Hi and welcome to Rock's Blog
    Combat Focused
    Enjoy!

    Paul 'Rock' Higgins

    Certified Master Anti - Terrorism Specialist,
    Executive Protection Operator,
    Self Protection Instructor, speaker and author of Meditations of a Modern Warrior.

    Picture
    I am available for guest blogs, magazine and newspaper articles and speaking engagements.
    I've used Anker products for a number of years now. Great close protection tool; keeping your electronic kit fully charged. 

    Archives

    May 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed


    IF YOU LIKE THE BLOG, THEN GET THE BOOKS TO SEE MORE
    OF THE SAME!
    Picture
     Meditations of a
     Modern Warrior Vol II 
     Available Now.
     
    Click below to get your signed copy.
    Book & P+P
    Picture
    For the back cover info, chapter titles and some reviews go to the book page
    Book & P+P

    On the above box click on the drop down arrow to see your book and P+P charges for UK or Worldwide.

    You can also join in the conversation on the these social media networks.


Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.