Training etc

[Shu]

Alot of people question why training is important. I can answer that. In my line of work sometimes we do send people into warzones who are not part of the military. I want the people I send to be as safe as possible.

To send someone over there has to be the need for them to be there, permission from the state department and they have to have a security detail (normally active duty in country people) I have a young engineer that didn't show up for self defense training. (I had to blackmail some of the local marines to teach some unarmed self defense.) When he didn't show the Staff Seargent called and asked where he was. I was embarrassed as heck and went and found him. On our way down to the marines location he explained he wrestled in college and participated in mixed martial arts so he didn't need the training. I just smiled and told him he could explain that to the Staff Seargent. When we arrived and walked up to the training session the Staff Seargent appraoched him. SHE put her hand on his chest and then leaned in to whisper something. I saw her other hand move but was not sure what she had done. She stepped back and my young engineer had a red mark on his neck from ear to adams apple ( she used a red permanent marker as a knife). She stepped back and said I have just cut your throat and you did nothing to stop me. My young engineer was very embarrassed, before he could speak, I told him if you want to deploy you will finish this course of instruction and you will learn to take orders from the military people if you can't you won't be going.

lesson learned- you may be big and bad but it takes just 1 young lady to teach you aren't that tough. When you play in someone elses sandbox they are in charge. If the military has to keep you safe when you are embedded with them you better pay attention to what they say. A red mark on your throat is a very cheap lesson indeed. Training does save lives.

[Mohawk]

Hey, Shu. Training is EVERYTHING!!!! When you are caught by surprise and you can't think the training takes over. My training saved the lives of four adults having a mock gun fight while I was on patrol duty ten years ago and nobody was hurt. They had several "fake" handguns, and I had the real one. Training taught me to look for the "threat" factor. Guns, maybe? but are they a threat?....ect. Anyway, the training, that night, saved a lot of lives. Good post, Shu. 

[Shu]

In the Navy we had those useless fire drills and flooding drills. One night I was getting off the mid watch when a chief grabbed me and another watch stander to fight a fire. We fought the fire for maybe 10 minutes at the most until the fire party took over. It seemd like hours anyway. When they relieved us, it was just the cheif and I. The other guy ran. I still lauagh, on a ship where are you going to run to? It wasn't that big of deal, but it was the training I fell back on, and knowing someone would be along shortly after that. I payed alot more attention after that.

[GUNNUT in Iowa]

" When we arrived and walked up to the training session the Staff Seargent appraoched him. SHE put her hand on his chest and then leaned in to whisper something. "

"lesson learned- you may be big and bad but it takes just 1 young lady to teach you aren't that tough. "



Not sure what the lesson was. 
Perhaps it was "Put EVERYONE on the ground that may approach you - especially your instructors / teachers!?"

[Shu]

Part of the lesson was situational awareness. Another part was even a smaller woman can be dangerous. Another part was always be prepared. Another part if you think you know more than the people who have toured a combat zone when you haven't...
There could be many take aways from this lesson learned.

My young engineer was lucky he learned it without any injury. A bruised ego is easily repaired. The Staff Seargent is an excellent teacher and drove a simple point home.

The Staff Seargent from my understanding has just volunteered for a 3 rd tour. I wish her the best of luck and will purchase her a Cold Steel tanto for all that she has done.

[Hooker]

I think it was a lesson that young man will never unlearn.
I learn from my Soldiers constantly.
I've been sending Soldiers off as long as I can remember I am always amazed at the things they teach me.
I have 5 Soldiers now currently all are state side 2 are finishing up some training and are soon to be in Afghanistan .
One is my nephew and this will be his second tour the other is in his unit she is a tiny thing I call her my Pocket Soldier.
This will be her first tour and she might be small but she is an amazing Soldier. They are both combat medics that are very good at what they do, but I hope they stay jobless while they over there My nephew promised to watch over my Pocket Soldier she will be in good hands. If he wasn't a medic they probably would have made him a tank 6'4" 260lbs excellent Soldier, lots of law enforcement training, prison sert team, martial arts, highly skilled with firearmsI take credit for most of that last one  But he has taught his old uncle a new trick here and there.

Pat