I recently posted the essay On Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs - Dave Grossman on my blog. In it, Dave does a great job outlining the differences between what he calls sheep, wolves and the sheepdogs. The sheep are typical civilians and they just want to live their lives in peace. The name sheep is not intended to be negative, it’s just term used to describe those who just want to graze and they fulfill their purpose in life. The wolves are those criminals in governmental positions of power or on the street level throughout the world. The sheepdogs are the police, the military and those of us who will confront and deal with the threats to ourselves, our loved ones and other “good” people. The sheep love the sheepdogs during a crisis but typically are mistrustful of them during times of peace. This is because the sheepdogs have teeth and are capable of violence and the dealing of death, just like the wolves.

The men in my family and the majority of my friends are sheepdogs. My grandfather was a paratrooper in WWII, he jumped into Normandy with the 101rst. My father was an Army Ranger who served in Vietnam. I served 10 years in the US Navy with several duty stations which involved my participation in the military police capacity, the ships self defense force and pier security in hostile environments. Most of my friends are law enforcement or ex-military or just the kind of guys who don’t get bullied although, they are not the bullies. We deal with the bullies and other scum that occasionally threaten us.

In the essay On Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs, the author insists that most sheep, especially during times of need can become sheepdogs. This essay is not meant to be a comprehensive guide on how to be a protector, or a sheepdog but more as an invitation and a look into the reasoning’s, the continuous requirement to be consciously aware of the moral lines not to be crossed, and the internal struggle to maintain the integral balance required to be a “good” sheepdog. I also want to give you some tactical techniques to consider and if they help you later then good, if it’s just interesting to you then good. Some aspects can be taught, most are gleaned through experience.

Sheep if you are offended and have arguments concerning this essay, that’s ok, your kind has always been around and always will be, as have my kind. When the crap hits the fan we will be there to fight the fight you are incapable of fighting. We will protect your women and children for you.

If you are one of those flinging the crap into the fan, well… then you better run.

I invite you all to submit any insight, corrections or additions to this writing. If you are an outdoor survivalist and would like to outline what you can do to find water in the desert then please contribute. If you have knowledge on fire safety, child safety etc then share!! Above all else God bless!!

When it came to fighting my father laid down two basic laws.

1. Don’t ever throw the first punch.

2. If someone punches me, fight back with no hesitation. I would not be punished at home if I was defending myself or someone else from a bully.

Intent

As a youth I was lucky enough to have parents who not only did not object to but, encouraged my participation in the martial arts. Further, I was blessed with having an instructor who taught not only the tournament fighting styles but, practical street fighting as well and he did so effectively. One of the most important lessons he taught is that all of the training in the world will not serve you unless you have to intent to use it. You must be prepared to use explosive violence when dealing with a threat.

Reflexes and dexterity

I remember a game that was played by the boys in school. Someone would feign hitting you and if you flinched then you had to take a shot (punch) in the arm. To the kids a flinch was a sign of fear, of weakness. A fighter recognizes a flinch for what it is. It is a reflex that when used, not suppressed, can allow you to block an opponents strike immediately and, with proper training, to counterstrike. That little flinch can be turned into a powerful defensive then offensive tool.

When I was growing up I frequently watched the old Kung-Fu movies. In these movies the practitioners would frequently turn mundane everyday activities into some sort of dexterous movement. The Karate Kid tried to show this with the well intended yet ill-conveyed “wax on, wax off” teaching. Basically this is the same as any other physical attribute, practice makes perfect. When other people are not watching (so as to not look like a complete dork) try brushing your teeth with your left hand if you are right handed and vice a versa. Doing this frequently will inevitably improve the dexterity of your off hand. Shaving with your left hand is a little trickier but give it a shot. Turn some of your daily chores into a challenge of agility. These challenges don’t have to be over the top but make some of your daily chores more challenging to your agility. To be dexterous, you must practice dexterity.

My disclaimer:

I want to make it abundantly clear that none of the information in this essay, or any to follow is intended to instruct anyone on the use of firearms or violence. You should refer to a trained licensed professional for this purpose. What I have outlined here is merely my observations through my life’s experience, the hand my good Lord dealt me.

I have debated back and forth on whether to post this because of how controversial some of the subject matter is and how it can be misinterpreted and misused. I am of the mind that no thing or person can make any other person do something they don’t want to do. I call this personal responsibility. If any of the morons out there take this information and kill someone and claim it was because of my writing you are full of crap. Grow up and take responsibility for your own actions.

This essay is not to be read while operating heavy machinery.

This essay is not to be read while using your snow blower on your roof.

This essay is not to be read while using your iron on clothing you happen to be wearing.

This essay is not to be read while spilling hot coffee on yourself somehow thinking it won’t be hot.

This essay is in no way shape or form meant to replace professional training on the subject matter contained herein. Nor is it a declaration of when and how you should kill someone in defense of your own life, that is a decision you as an individual must make and not blame on me or my essay.

This essay will be presented in six installments. The next installment will include information on:

Letting boys be boys

Complacency

Judge other people’s appearance

And they get better as we go so come on back and please provide input!