Every Citizen a Soldier

I can think of no word more overused in the past decades than “tactical.” I just got done reading a bit on the internet with a person asking advice on which “tactical pants” to get. Most of the time this is used the word “fighting” should replace tactical. My fighting gear etc. Because gear, or other items are not “tactical.” People and groups are tactical. Don't worry about having tactical stuff, worry about having smart tactics. How do we become "tactical?" There are several time tested principles of tactics that are so universal they apply to all fighting situations. Whether defending yourself from a home invasion at 3AM or ambushing an enemy column in Red Dawn (classic.) I am going to follow this article up with a series of articles and videos on tactics, but before you begin reading about the nuts and bolts of tactics you need to learn and live this mantra. Surprise: It does not matter how awesome you are at doing something- if the bad-guys know you are going ...

  Video: The OODA Loop and Self Defense Application: The OODA loop is a formalized decision making procedure that is especially important when the decisions have to be made quickly, as in a threat situation. The development of a rapid decision making process can give you or your team huge tactical advantages. Most people, when confronted with threats, take a “chess player role” where they make a move and wait for you to make a move. You do not have to wait until the other guy makes a move!  Your moves should be as rapidly as possible to keep the threat off balance and keep the initiative on your side. Background : The OODA loop was developed by US Air Force fighter tactician John Boyd. It has been applied to business and computer programming as well as military strategy and tactics. My greatest understanding of the OODA loop came from reading Paul Howe’s excellent book Leadership and Training For the Fight. O-O-D-A stands for Observe-Orient-Decide-Act It is a “loop” beca...