Thinking Man's Corner

Article By: Leo H.

Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to converse with an individual highly placed within the Georgia law enforcement training profession. While we talked of many things, the topic which has remained foremost in my mind concerns the subject of situational awareness. As I began my law enforcement career during the infancy of the Field Training Officer concept (I rode with a Sergeant for a week before being set free as a solo officer), I never gave much consideration to “reading” the situations I found myself in beyond learning from either my mistakes or the mistakes of others I somehow became aware of. There was no formalized instruction or training. You either developed an ability to see and understand things that would or could cause issue or you missed them entirely. Sometimes things you missed could cause severe or deadly consequence. That largely remains true to this day. Sometimes others will learn from your mistake when you do not see or sense something that makes all the difference in whether you go home at the end of your shift, or not.

Law enforcement professionals and concerned civilians alike seem to take great effort in obtaining the tools required to survive violent encounters.  Many even continue to receive appropriate training with the intent to master their proficient use. However, in my observation, too few attempt to become familiar with even fundamental aspects of the situational awareness necessary to either dominate a violent incident or take the steps which could allow them to avoid the situation entirely. Every day, I see individuals who are “prepared” to protect themselves in that they are carrying some sort of firearm. However, they are so completely unaware of potential danger it is doubtful they could deploy the weapon they are carrying if events were to require it. In fact, some have provided the very weapon used by the aggressor with which to perpetrate their crime.

I am sure many of you make every effort to continue to develop relevant information from the daily world in which you exist. You thought about where you were going and made plans based upon information rather than impulse. You have thought about the possible criminal acts of which you could be a victim and have planned accordingly. You take the time to be aware of your surroundings and get a reading of the world you are walking into before you take those first steps into a parking lot. You keep your eyes off your phone and are not involved in phone conversations as you walk to your vehicle which you have parked in the most secure area you could find and not just the first space that you came to. You have your keys in your hand ready to unlock the door as quickly as possible. You are doing everything possible to prevent appearing to be “prey.” Or… you have just been lucky in life, so far.

Now that I am retired, I have found myself having to learn to see and respond to events from a civilian perspective. When I was actively employed in law enforcement, I carried the tools of my trade with me in a fashion where there was no doubt I was at work and I had little issue with anyone being able to easily identify that fact. Now… I want to be as invisible as possible. I went wherever the calls or the investigation would take me. Now… I must think a bit more of where and when to travel as the resources available to deal with issues which may arise are usually limited to me and whatever I have immediately available upon my person. I cannot merely press the button on the microphone and expect assistance to be on the way… I must dial the phone and then convince a dispatcher to send help and then hope whomever responds can tell I am the “good guy.” I must be just as vigilant regarding my environment as I was as a cop. Or… I can hope to remain lucky. It is always important to remember that luck is not a tactic.

How many of you strive to stay aware no matter where you may be? Remaining alert and focused on your environment can be tiring and difficult if one wanders about in a state of constant paranoia. Obviously, a system of some sort would be beneficial if one hopes to remain socially adept while maintaining a functional state of awareness. To that regard, the late Colonel Jeff Cooper established what is the standard in his book, “Principles of Personal Defense,” which was published 1972. For a short-written explanation use this link… Cooper’s Color Code. To hear the Colonel provide the lecture himself; use this YouTube link. If the switch is not in the on position, the result can only be darkness.

While conducting research for a lesson plan, I came across several references to a program called Combat Hunter which was slated as a “must attend” class for anyone who was heading to war overseas. The program had been developed following a period of continued negative contact with the enemy in Iraq which resulted in the injury or death of a substantial number of Marines. Study determined that specific information gathered prior to an encounter could lead to a more successful resolution for US military personnel.  The primary emphasis of the program requires establishing a baseline of what is “normal” and then reacting based upon the formula of Observe + Orient = Situational Awareness (Left of Bang). Upon reviewing what was available at the time, I found the concept of “Combat Profiling” labeled as a pillar in the program which, to me, had significant law enforcement application (the concepts also apply in the civilian world).

I was able to contact Patrick Van Horne, a former Marine Captain who had been a Combat Hunter instructor prior to leaving the military and found he had formed a company (CP Journal) dedicated to providing ongoing training in the field of situational awareness. He is the co-author of the book, “Left of Bang: How the Marine Corps’ Combat Hunter Program Can Save Your Life,” which was published in 2014. His assistance in understanding the principles associated with staying “Left of Bang” were of great benefit to me and I pass them along on any opportunity that is provided. I strongly recommend the reading of his book to anyone who would have an interest in skills which can assist them in the avoidance of violent encounters. In addition, an individual or agency who wishes to develop their awareness potential would do well to invest in the on-line training program offered at the “Left of Bang” online academy. The concepts shared there provide you with the tools to get “Left of Bang” and stay there. Listen to Patrick discuss the program HERE.

I would suggest developing “expert” level situational awareness is as important, if not more so, than the time spent on the range. After all, your gun is only a tool that becomes necessary, in most cases, when operational awareness fails to provide adequate information relative to properly reading the environment or the individual you are dealing with.

How do you practice your awareness skills? A typical episode could be as simple as a routine visit to your favorite provider of an exceptionally made margarita. As you enter the front door of the restaurant you take your first glance (observe) of the interior while standing and waiting to be seated. Who are the patrons who have entered before you? How are they dressed? How do they interact with the folks seated around them? Does everyone seem to be in a good mood? How are they reacting to your presence? What is the general “feel” of the environment? Can you see an additional entrance/exit from where you are standing? Where are the restrooms (this can be vitally important if you are planning on sampling multiple drinks… also there is often an emergency exit somewhere in the vicinity of the back of the building)? What sort of demeanor does the employee who seats you project? You use the walk from the front door to your seat to answer whatever baseline questions might remain to properly orient yourself to your “home” for the next hour or so. As you are seated, you choose to place your back against a wall (if possible) which allows you to view as many of the ingress and egress points you previously identified. You identify the path to the kitchen as you know it will provide an avenue of escape, if required. You also know it to be a source of items which can be used for defense if you have not been permitted to bring your own. You continue to monitor everyone around you and quickly evaluate newcomers as threat/no-threat as they enter based upon dress, demeanor, and any weapons you might observe (it is amazing how many armed folks you might find enjoying dinner around you). You keep your head out of your phone and pay attention to the folks you are with and those around you. You are not paranoid… but, you are aware. If a problem arises, you enact your plan… one for which you are equipped, prepared, and have trained to initiate… one of which your family is also aware (perhaps that will be another article at some point) … one in which you dominate the issue at hand in a definitive prevailing fashion… one in which the next sip of your margarita is done in a celebratory fashion, as your life goes on.

“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” – Sun Tzu

Semper Optimum!