Mindset

[BWayne]

What do you like to do to train your mind for confrontations? Do you use Cooper's Color Code? Visualization of confrontations? How do you prefer to handle fear? With anger and indignation? Or is the whole "Combat Mindset" thing a mere buzzword?

[JMusic]

I'm not familuar with color codes. At an early age it became apparent to me that I would have to simply act or react without thought to dangerous situations in order to not hesitate. My awareness is about as good as it gets, and I am very observant. I've said it before, I decided that if I pulled my weapon it would be with the intention of shooting. I decided if I had to make a conscious thought it would be to not shoot. Now I did not shoot everyone I drew on but I was going to, if that makes sense. In any confrontation I remain calm until contact is made. I look at fighting as a life or death situation and react as such. I don't start fights, I don't look for trouble, I evade if possible but if it comes down to having to defend I have bad intentions. Not sure if this is what you are looking for but that is my mindset.
Jim

[Roundeyesamurai]

The problem with the term "mindset", is that it is too often used as a euphemism for "all that brain stuff". In other words, it's an admission that all the individual has is gun/knife/hand skills, and nothing else, and "mindset" is the elusive "something else".

The color codes, for example, are not any part of "mindset". They are "useful information". They're a mnemonic way to put differing states of awareness in perspective.

I envision the typical "defensive school awareness training" like this: The instructor speaks up during a pause in the shooting on the range, and says "Folks, remember to be aware of your surroundings and the color codes and stuff. OK, let's keep shooting", or something to that effect.

Anytime someone puts the term "combat" in front of (what suspiciously looks like) a buzzword, it is absolutely a farce. Same applies to "tactical", "reality", "practical", etc. It's marketing, and you can be sure that any training advertised as such is going to be almost precisely what I described above- and usually alot of drill instructor-type profane shouting to "toughen you up", or alot of pointless classroom time that seems like preparation for an episode of Jeopardy. PT Barnum would be proud of these "instructors".

No one but yourself can really teach you the mental, emotional, and intellectual aspects of combat- these are things one must learn through doing. One learns awareness by being placed in circumstances where they must be perpetually aware. One learns "fear control" by being immunized to it, through repeated exposure to it. And so on.

Experience, as always, is king.

[Shdwdncr]

.....is the whole "Combat Mindset" thing a mere buzzword?
No, it most definitely is NOT.
John Farnam once wrote the following reference mindset:
"At the moment of truth, the ancient Filipino warrior entered 'Dakip-Diwa.' It is similar, of course, to the Chinese 'Mushin,' or ‘pure mind.' Dakip-Diwa literally means 'to seize the spirit.' The warrior no longer just sees himself facing opponents. Rather, he comprehends only the concept of combat itself: angles of attack, scenarios of engagement, and, of course, personal and final victory. Dakip-diwa thus eliminates fears that cause hesitation. Not many of even my own countrymen know this currently. This is reflective of the
liberalization of Philippine society, thanks mainly to Western influences, no disrespect intended.

Clashes here, on all levels, tend to be bloody. From street fights to military operations against insurgents, pernicious contacts are savage and final. We are extreme as a people. Extreme in friendship and hospitality on one hand. Extreme in ferociousness in combat on the other.

With the foregoing in mind, folklore regarding the 45ACP pistol cartridge is mostly that. The real reason for the poor reputation of the 38S&W pistol (used by American Troopers during the Spanish-American War and progenitor to the 38Spl) and, in later years, the 223 rifle, is substantially due to poor marksmanship, born of panic, rather than inadequate terminal ballistics of the cartridges in question, although the latter is still a significant factor.

In our Muslim-dominated South, tales abound about insane warriors with shaved heads and bound limbs (in order to control bleeding and minimize pain) wearing vials of magic oil around their necks (renders them immune to bullets). This talk reached young, inexperienced troops who comprised the bulk of our armed force responsible for quelling numerous insurgencies of the '70s. Imagine being in their shoes! Fresh from (inadequate) training, under shaky leadership, you're in the middle of some forsaken bush and are suddenly charged by a screaming, bolo-wielding maniac! The experience understandably shook recruits, and they missed their shots while rebels connected with stabs and hacks. Thus, the 'legend,' first arising from tales told by American soldiers at the beginning of the last century, was, once again, resurrected.

Conversely, under surefooted and inspired leadership, and when employing sound tactics, heavy calibers, and eminent personal competence, experienced troops engaged these same fanatics and got good hits, the 'invincible' insurgents were speedily neutralized. Timely, well-placed shots convincingly and satisfyingly solved this 'problem.'

There are surely inadequate calibers and, even in adequate calibers, poor manifestations thereof, and I therefore encourage everyone to carry and train with powerful arms and ammunition. However, there is no adequate technological substitute for personal competence and unwavering determination. Incompetent, confused, and uninspired soldiers will always perform poorly, no matter what they're equipped with.

These are truths, precisely because they've stood the tests of time and successfully resisted countless attempted revisions. We'd all do well to apply them to our individual circumstances."

Comment: Soldiers who have spent most of their "training" time in "Sensitively," "Sexual Harassment Awareness," and "Suicide Prevention" classes, and precious little time handling loaded weapons on hot ranges, will understandably perform poorly when faced with the foregoing. Trainers and leaders need to be long on inspiration and short on PC fluff! We need to be turning out hard, harmful, dangerous, serious, competent, determined heavy hitters. We can't have too many. Right now, we have far too few!

/John

[Shdwdncr]

I'm not familuar with color codes.
Jim,

The color codes are as follows:

White: unawareness; you are in bed, sleeping, or sitting in Starbucks while browsing Threat Focused Forums on your notebook computer and slurping an overpriced coffee conconction.

Yellow: relaxed awareness; you are slurping your coffee while observing your surroundings for anything suspicious, but so far, nothing appears suspicious. Keep on slurping and observing.

Orange: general alert; for example, you see someone walk into Starbucks with what appears to be a gang/prison tattoo, or someone wearing a jacket when it is 90 deg F outside and they appear nervous, or someone who seems to be deliberately and continually concealing his hands in the pockets of his baggy jeans/shirt. Or maybe the man sitting with his HB10 in the opposite corner is mad at another guy for looking at his girl in a way that upsets him, and he verbally calls him on it.

Red: specific alert; you see a gun printing through the fabric of an individual's shirt, and it looks as though his hand is grasping the butt/stocks. Or maybe the two men in the opposite corner are now standing a foot away from each other and the argument looks like it could boil over.

Black: the fight is in progress; fists and bullets are flying, the blade has been drawn/has drawn blood, eyes are being poked out, etc.

S.

[Roundeyesamurai]

No, it most definitely is NOT.
John Farnam once wrote the following reference mindset:

Far be it for me to criticize someone as (ahem) prestigious as John Farnam, who I am sure has come to his conclusions based on (ahem) significant experience in the subject matter, but that quote isn't a "combat mindset" piece, it's a fear-inducing sales pitch for the Modern Technique.

Most of it, incidentally, is historical bunk, based on tall tales told by veterans who came home and played up their experiences to those at home who didn't know any better. The rest is just plain lack of doing one's homework before publishing.

It's interesting that the folks who genuinely know about combat mindset, rarely attempt to put it into words (because it is such a difficult thing to actually describe in words), and those who write at length about it most often have no first-hand experience with the subject.

Yes, "combat mindset" as used in the training community today is a buzzword. For those individuals to whom it is not a buzzword, it's a subject which is best learned by going out and doing, as opposed to contemplating one's navel and pondering.

[Guantes]

Ok, I'll throw my .02c in.
To begin with, IMO, you have several types of apples in the basket. Training the mind, use of the Color Code and visualization. Visualization is training, whereas the Color Code is implementation of a tactic to identify a threat, so you can determine a response. Personally through years of training and ex perience mine is pretty well set in stone. One thing I do, for mind exercise and fun, is to watch action movies/shows and try to determine a viable solution befor the hero does.

Handling of fear is something different. This is difficult to answer honestly without taking flack. The answer is to eleminate the fear of dieing. This is not some show of courage or bravado or anything similar. There are several things it is. In addition to being a state of mind, it is logic. Fear affects performance, eleminating fear improves performance. It is not eleminated by courage but by the acceptance of death as a possibility and extreme focus on what has to be done, which removes any mental room for fear to occupy.

Combat Mindset, merely represents a mental position that one will prevail no matter what. How you determine the strength of your (Combat) mindset, is by its status when you start losing the conflict you are involved in.

[JMusic]

Thanks for the explanation. I really see no value in it but I am probably just showing my ignorance about the subject. I believe you have to anticipate and be aware whenever you are vunerable. If you want to reduce your vuneralbility then you apply layers of security to help warn you of impeding danger. I realize I may not be normal in this thought process but frankly it was the way I and my brother were raised. I don't know if I have a fear of death and I have looked death in the eye more times than I care to think about. Sometimes I've been lucky sometimes I performed very well. As I think about it when these occasions arrose I didn't even think about getting hurt or killed, just getting through it. Maybe I'm over confident but I am not arrogant I can assure you of that. If I can talk my way out of a situation I certainly do so. If I can't my actions are explosive in nature and extreme. ( I have met the US Marshal on more than one occasion.) I have a couple Physcologist friends. One told me one time as we sat in a bar that he never saw anyone act like me. He said my eyes are in constant motion throughout the room. I never noticed that until he pointed it out. The other (my brother) says I'm a bit physicopathic and have a flat affect. Whatever the hell that means. All I know is most people find me very trustworthy and polite, except those who dick with me and mine.:D
Jim

[kilogulf59]

What do you like to do to train your mind for confrontations? Do you use Cooper's Color Code? Visualization of confrontations? How do you prefer to handle fear? With anger and indignation? Or is the whole "Combat Mindset" thing a mere buzzword?


Speaking strictly for myself here, I tend to "look" a lot and do the little things. Some things I never realized until they were pointed out to me; sitting with my back to a wall, preferably in the corner facing the entrance, checking for exits in public places, similar to what JMusic described. I have a tendency to look people in the eye, always have for some reason and I never trust anyone who wont look me in the eyes.

Also, I make sure the house is locked up and keep a night light or two burning and I have two dogs. Oh, even though no one ever touches them, I check my revolver(s) before going to sleep, habit. Paranoid? I think not. Prepared? Perhaps, at least to a basic minimum.

I've been lucky in that I haven't been a "victim" so far. I attribute this to common sense not necessarily a "combat mind set" per se. I rather think of it as "awareness", I guess. Hell, I assume one must identify it as something.

I learned many of these habits from my father who was never a victim.

I'm not sure of the correct (per Col.Cooper) use of the color code however, it does come in handy in explaining how one does and should go about their day. My daughter avoided a potentially hazardous situation in Chicago the other day and she says to me "good thing I was in yellow Dad" (just when you think they aren't listening...). So in that context I like the color code. I also like his "Principles of Personal Defense" as they seem like common sense, for the most part.

Handle fear, anger and indignation? Depends and varies but I can walk away easier than I used to. In so far as fear is concerned, I tend to get "scared" after what-ever than during, thank God for it has been awhile.

By the way, incase no ones noticed, I have a marked dislike for "buzz" words and terms..."combat mind set" just smacks of "buzz" and is very melodramatic to boot. Now if we lived in Beirut the term might be applicable.

Sorry, I cant help myself sometimes. The doc says it's the ringing in my ears combined with my fondness for shiny, sharp objects. I'm working on it though. :eek:

That's my two-bits worth.

[JMusic]

Shdwdncr, I really like the eyes poked out part in condition Black!!!:D :D :eek:
Jim

[kilogulf59]

Dear Abby,

A quick question on the color code (oh no, here we go off on a tangent again...).

Years ago, I learned four colors, red being the highest. I've heard of a few "experts" wanting to add another but did it ever become "official Cooper doctrine"? (I can hear the theme from "Dragnet" playing when I typed... "official Cooper doctrine")

Actually I believe, and it's been a long time, the good Colonel taught these as levels of preparedness?

Signed: "Confused in Wisconsin" :confused:

[BWayne]

Thank you all for your replies they very interesting.

[Shdwdncr]

Shdwdncr, I really like the eyes poked out part in condition Black!!!:D :D Jim

So do I, Jim. :D
I wish I could take credit for it, but I didn't originally write the response. I intended to write one, but as I was browsing another forum and that great answer had been just posted there, it saved me the typing time by cutting and pasting it.
The writer definitely explained the color code better than I could have.:p

S.

[Lurper]

B, here is my take on it FWIW.
You can train your mind to take certain actions under certain conditions.
For example:
When I need to focus my concentration, I use a key phrase that allows me to turn my mind on and off like a switch (not a fancy description, but the best I have at the moment). I learned to do this through self-hypnosis. When I first started shooting competitively, I was just an average shooter. Even after having attended some world renowned schools. Then, Dave Stanford was visiting VA one day and he told me that I had talent and that I should try this self-hypnosis he knew of. I tried it (30 mins/day every day). In less than 3 months, I had won the State Championship and became one of the best shooters in the east. I continued to build on that and learned to carry that ability over in to other aspects of life. In the context of your question, you can train your mind to shift paradigms with these techniques. A practical example:
You are out on the town and you recognize a threat. You say your key phrase and your mind switches paradigms. While it may be difficult to train your mind for specific situations, you can train it to focus on the situation. The other benefit is that saying the key phrase to yourself occupies your conscious mind and helps keep it out of the way.