A Cop's speach

In the movie "Lone Survivor" there was a speech given by a young SEAL named Shane about being a Frogman. It speaks of adventure, danger, excitement and the Warrior Spirit.
Here is a Cops version:
"I’ve driven these City streets ten thousand times. I know every street, alley, nook and cranny. The hot-spots, low-spots, the upside and the underside. I roam the streets and prowl the shadows.
...
I am a hard charging, hairy chested, scootin-shootin, flashbang tossin, double-tappin sheepdog warrior. When I vow to do a thing, there is not a thing in the world I cannot do. No door too tough for kick’n, no car too fast for pit’n.

I’ve learned many lessons in my journey for impeccability, some the hard-way:
Luck favors the prepared; so prepare for the worst. Keep one in the chamber and there is no such thing as too much ammo. Its not the size of the bullet, but its placement that counts. Life is for the bold, pain fades, and glory lives forever. Courage-Honor-and Compassion usually travel together and the "Right" thing is never the easy thing.

While others run from danger, I hunt it down and stand on its throat. I am a Man, a father, a lover and a fighter. I fight for life, what is good, family and tribe. Anything worth doing is worth doing 110%. Procrastination and moderation are for the weak."

Line of attack combo drill

Here is a basic combo drill to help build fluidity skills:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1nzV7vw5eY

Don't try to force speed. That only induces error. Do it smooth and speed comes...

21 Irrefutible Law of Leadership

More insight from Maxwell's "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" with my 2 cents added...:)

Being a Leader is a life-long process. It is all the work, dedication and perseverance that count. There is an old saying: “Champions don’t become champions in the ring – they are merely recognized there”. Meaning that all the road-work, bag-time, and effort is what made them a Champ.

However, all that hard work must be coupled with being able to identify an opportunity when it presents and to shine when the time to step in the ring comes.  Benjamin Disraeli said that “the secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his time when it comes.” You have to work hard to prepare and then shine when the time comes.

Leadership V. Managing

From one of my favorite Authors.....

On Leadership:
Regarding Titles: “True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed, or assigned. It comes only form influence, and that cannot be mandated. It must be earned. The only thing a title can buy is a little time – either to increase your level of influence with others or to undermine it.” John Maxwell.

“Managers (leader by title only) can maintain direction, but often they can’t change it. Systems and processes can do only so much. To move people in a new direction, you need influence.” John Maxwell

On the relationship between growth and leadership: “It is the capacity to develop and improve their skills that distinguishes leaders from their followers.” Successful leaders are (life-long) leaners.        Bennis and Nanus

The "Drop & Fire" techniques. A bad idea?

Emergency Survival Responses (ESR)

This video looks at the "Drop & Fire" technique that is still being taught some places as a Counter-Knife technique. It is a very BAD and dangerous technique. I would love to read your thoughts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfEwDhd5feA

 

Good hips

From my Emergency Survival Responses (ESR) FB page:

First part of the video demonstrates kinetic energy transfer and partially explains why having "good hips" is so important. I get a kick out of this show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0FaxVO2Sns

 

Warrior Dad

As a Dad, am I molding, leading and mentoring my sons? Am I forging living legacies? Am I honoring the blessing and duty that I have been given? I try every day. Some days I do better than others. Here are a few resources that I find myself going back to over and over. They speak to being a Man in today’s passive society and have given me countless ideas and motivation to keep on track being a Warrior-Dad.

Fun Site with lots of good info and ideas for activities and adventures: http://www.artofmanliness.com/

Every Father of a boy needs to read this book: “Wild at Heart” John Eldredge

A great reminder of what being a Man is all about: “The Green Beret in You” John Giduck

I love this poem and the message that is shared by Brian this morning....

From Brian Willis: W.I.N.

 ROOTS AND WINGS

If I had two wishes I know what they would be I'd wish for roots to grow on and wings to set me free.

Roots of inner value like rings upon a tree and wings of motivation to reach my destiny.

Don't make my life too easy, it's better if I try and fail and get back up and try again.

If I had two wishes and two were all I had, and they could be granted by my mom and dad.

I wouldn't wish for money and all those store bought things. Theonly thing I'd wish for is roots and wings.

 Recently I was having a discussion with a friend and mentor concerning some upcoming training I was sponsoring. He indicated he was unable to attend as he was spending the day with three of his

children while his wife was out of town with their fourth. When I asked what his wife and daughter were doing in Toronto for the weekend this was his explanation:

We told our kids that when they each turn 9 and 15 we would take them to their choice of any place in Canada. The requirement was that they have to research it, learn about the history, etc and

plan some of the logistics. Really it is a time for one parent to bond one-on-one with the child. She picked Toronto. They are seeing a big production of the Sound of Music, going to Cirque Du Soleil,
CN tower, some shopping and then back home.

When I asked about the significance of the ages 9 and 15 he told me:
"We wanted to ensure they were old enough that it would be memories they could have and also strike a balance with recognizing them growing up into good, honest caring and respectable people (figured 9 and 12 were good years to really connect with them as individuals and reinforce how proud we are of them) but before they get older and became more interested in hanging out with their friends than taking a trip with mom or dad."

updates to civilian training calendar

www.tacticaknifeoptions.com

Off to CGC tonight

Excited to be headed back up to the Centennial Gun Club tonight for another (very full) Tactical Knife Options-civilian (self-protection) class.

Then up at BluCore on Feb 01 and Scientific Martial Arts on Feb 28.

I love my job! I get to train with great people who are proactive!

Police shoot man holding knife: suicide by cop video

Tough situation for an Officer to be thrust into. I will never understand why someone who wants to commit suicide will force another human to take it.

http://www.policeone.com/edged-weapons/articles/6743122-Video-Body-cam-captures-violent-suicide-by-cop/

Police look for knife in fatal stabbing

"Longmont police are still investigating a fatal stabbing that left one teen dead and two others seriously injured. Police say a 20-year-old Secundino "Dino" Martinez was arrested for the stabbings early Sunday morning at an underage party. 

Martinez is facing a first-degree murder charge and two attempted murder charges. Police say all three stabbing victims are from Lafayette. The man killed was 19 years old. The two surviving victims are 17 and 18. Police say both remain in the hospital in very serious condition. No names have been released. 

The stabbings happened just after 2 a.m. in the 700 block of Francis Street. Investigators say about 20 people were at the party hosted by an 18-year-old whose parents were out of state."

 

For the full store/video see:

http://www.9news.com/news/article/373242/188/Police-look-for-knife-in-fatal-stabbing

The Flinch-Wedge technique:

Why we flinch when a sudden threat stimulus is introduced:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF8iC7xjFc4&feature=youtu.be

blade length

TKO new location up north

Excited to announce that the Tactical Knife Options class has a new additional location for all the folks on the northern side of Denver.

Scientific Martial Arts (440 Garland Ave. in Northglenn, CO) will be hosting the class on Friday Feb. 28 from 17:00-21:00 hours.

You can contact me directly or Jordan at SMA... Hope to see you there.

http://www.scientific-martialarts.com/

have an enemy; pick a fight

Friends are vital and provide support, love and guidance. But an enemy provides adversity, challenge and keeps you sharp. Both are necessary, but we can all agree that one cant grow stronger or better without adversity... You have to have an enemy and when you do, embrace what they provide you. The following is from Brian Willis:

Darren Hardy is the editor of Success, my favorite magazine. One of Darren's blog posting was titled 'Pick a Fight.' The following is
as except fro...m that posting:

"Everyone needs an enemy.
- Luke had Darth Vader.
- Batman had the Joker.
- David had Goliath.
- Twenty-somethings rage against "The Man."
- Apple has Microsoft.
- Rocky had Apollo Creed, then Mr. T, then the Russian, then...(ad
nausea)
- America used to have the Russians; now, it's Osama bin Laden and
Kim Jong Il and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and...
- Even God has Satan.

An enemy gives you a reason to fight. Having to fight challenges
your skills, character and resolve. It forces you to assess and
exercise your talents and abilities."

This post really caught my attention as it struck me that he was
talking about my goal with the W.I.N. Newsletter, the Excellence in
Training blog, the twitter postings and all the presentations I
give on Dare to Soar, Your Life IS Your Legacy and Excellence in
Training. Although I had not thought of it this way before my goal
is to pick a fight.

The key is to fight for, not against. This is the difference
between fighting with passion, commitment and dedication and going
through the motions in a fight. Get invested in the fight.

Fight for What's Important Now.
Fight for excellence.
Fight for your values and principles.
Fight for your beliefs.

This weeks challenge: Identify at least two things in your life
worth fighting for then go pick a fight.

Take care.

Brian Willis

Training Opp: Greeley CO in March

March 24, 2014: The Greeley Police Department is hosting a Tactical Knife Options course from 08:00-17:00.  Cost: $125.00

 

Please post and share this information and direct all inquiries to Jeff at 303-627-2737 /CQCtactics@msn.com

 

The five hour Duty Knife version of the TKO class is derived from the full day certification course: This one day (POST approved advanced curriculum) course will cover the fundamentals of Tactical Knife Options for the LE Professional.  As an Officer / Deputy, you carry several different tools as auxiliary weapons or options in order to effectively deal with different levels of resistance and/or threat.  The majority of Officers carry some type of folding knife on them on-duty or off.  This class will teach you the capabilities of this second deadly force option and certify you in its use.  Special training knives along with active training scenarios will be used to fortify and build your confidence in the edged weapon as an effective tool and secondary deadly force option. This class blends both the cognitive and motor skills while building the officers decision making skills, threat recognition, and awareness.

As a patrol or detentions Officer, the most common deadly weapon you will encounter is an edged weapon.  This class will help you better identify the threats associated with edged weapons by expanding your awareness and knowledge of the capabilities of the edged weapon.

 

Students are asked to register no later than 10 days prior to the course class is limited to sixteen students.  Late registrations need to be approved and made directly through Jeff.

 

Here is a link to the Regional Grant Contact List: http://www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/post/Grant%20Contact%20List%20for%20Web%20FY%2013.pdf

 

Register by calling 303-627-2737 or E-mail to cqctactics@msn.com

2014 - Tactical Knife Options-civilian

All:

 

I want to wish everyone an outstanding 2014. I hope the New Year presents many training opportunities for you to hone your physical skills and spark your mind-set.

 

I plan to continue offering level 1 and II TKO classes at both Centennial Gun Club and BluCore as well as Scientific Martial Arts in Northglenn. I will post dates on the TKO web-site and usually on FB. I am also available to teach private classes on a limited basis if you have a group or location. Just let me know.

 

I think most of you have these links, but wanted to share them again for those who might have missed them.

If I can be of assistance or answer any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

 

Tactical Knife Options-Civilian Web-Site:

http://www.tacticalknifeoptions.com

 

My Blog: (I share studies, stories and some training vids here)

http://tacticalknifeoptions.blogspot.com/

 

Training Knives: (this is the best price I have found for the large rubber training knives)

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/487451/cold-steel-rubber-training-recon-fixed-blade-training-knife-7-tanto-point-santoprene-blade-black

 

I am also on FB under “Emergency Survival Responses”