QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
"No man is entitled to the blessings of
freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation."
~Gen. Douglas MacArthur~
COMBAT MINDSET!
PART I
One evening not long ago I was listening to a late night talk show on the
radio. The person involved in the discussion was a soldier who had just
returned from Iraq and was describing for the listening audience some of his
combat experiences while serving there.
The soldier relayed an incident concerning a firefight that developed in a
town where heavy fighting had been occurring off and on since the occupation
of Iraq began. He described how his team entered the area to clear buildings
and other structures when suddenly the insurgents initiated contact. During
the ensuing fight his unit was nearly overwhelmed before they were finally
able to regroup and finally turn the fight to their advantage.
Unfortunately, even though they recovered and won the fight, his unit
sustained a number of casualties. Then he made this short but extraordinary
statement, “We were surprised, we just weren’t expecting something like
that…” When I heard that remark I had several questions immediately come to
mind, “Why didn’t they expect it? Why did it surprise them and why weren’t
they mentally prepared to deal with it? Where was their combat mindset and
why were they not prepared to instantly react as soon as the fight began?
Who failed them?" Obviously from this soldier’s remarks neither he nor his
team was in the right tactical mindset for this mission or the engagement
that followed. It’s my opinion that three things contributed to this lack of
preparation: (1) self-motivation (2) the training or lack of training they
received and (3) leadership!
In today’s world it is important to remember that this concept of combat
mindset is not only a military dogma but applies just as acutely and equally
to the job, and mission assignments that law enforcement agencies are
required to carry out. Whether you are SWAT, SWRT, SRT, Narcotic Ops or a
patrol officer on the beat you had better develop, apply and understand what
combat mindset is all about.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT? Self motivation to start with:
It is something akin to developing an inner spiritual strength combined with
a savage resolve of will. Retired M/Sgt. Paul Howe refers to it as acquiring
a resolved strength to help ensure your survival. He further states “Go to a
place where you can become emotionless and totally focused. You must have
the ability to be situationally aware so you can wade efficiently into
multiple threats and be successful.” He describes it as developing your
personal “Beast” for these times. In truth, you can give it any name you
want just as long as you recognize what it is and are willing to call upon
this total warrior mentality when you need it!
This concept of combat mindset also gives you an edge in mental toughness.
As stated in the 2005 Spring Edition of Tactical Edge Magazine
concerning Mental Attitude: The Survival Factor, “…it means that you are
willing to stand tall and persevere. Tough means when your mind and body is
starting to cave in and telling you to give it up, that it just isn’t worth
it, you are able to reach deep down and drag up that last ounce of ferocity
that tells you…to go on!”
One of the more important things about acquiring this combat mindset is its
ability to help you mentally and physically focus in a fight! When you
combine combat mindset with proficient tactical skills, it gives you the
confidence and the fierceness needed to initiate, endure and follow through
with a course of action. For myself and George, it is one of the foundations
we teach in our programs -- the beating heart if you will; it is without a
doubt the single greatest survival factor for any officer when they are
involved in a deadly force confrontation.
From the Strike Report for February 2007, there is this quote,
“Why is it that some officers can instantly react to a situation and others
seem to never even register what is taking place? Why will some engage and
tactically move while others simply sustain damage and die? The reason the
former ones can do it is because of their tactical mindset and training.
Second, they understand the importance of maintaining tactical skills and
they practice. They are Alpha dogs, meat eaters, predators, and understand
well what one moment of weakness or indecision can do to them.” These
individuals know how to muster their “Beast!”
TACTICAL CONTROL
Here is the important thing to remember about calling upon your “Beast” and
I think great tacticians like Paul Howe, Phil Singleton, George Wiley and
others would all agree, “Release the ‘Beast’ when it is needed but control
it! By exacting this control as you unleash it you are able to better fight
through the fog of mental and physical stressors that quickly mount in a
violent encounter. It can help you to push through the initial fear that
jumps up and it can help you subdue the sensation of rising panic.
Controlling the “Beast” is really
tactical control! Having tactical control
enables a person to maintain clarity of thought, action and needs. I
personally can’t think of a more dangerous and lethal human being as that
individual who can unleash the savagery of the “Beast” but control it’s
actions wherever he needs it! As Paul Howe says and I will repeat it again,
“You must have the ability to be situationally aware so you can wade
efficiently into multiple threats and be successful.” Whether he realized it
or not he is talking about tactical control of the “Beast!” The importance
of understanding tactical control goes back two thousand years ago and is
further illustrated from Sun Tzu’s, Art of War in which he
says,“ Rage and passion are not substitutes for cold-blooded planning in the
destruction of an enemy.” He too, is talking about controlling the “Beast.”
PART II
In Part II of this report we will briefly discuss training and its
applicability to combat mindset as well as the importance of leadership.
If anyone has any other excellent references, something you can share, or
books they can recommend in this area, please contact George or myself. By
no means are we the final authorities on combat mindset (far from it). We
constantly learn something from others and enjoy the exchange of
professional ideas. At
Strike International
we make every effort to share what we can with
others.
Jack C. Perritt
George F. Wiley
Strike International
