CWP, 19 December 2013 A.D.
Greetings Concealed Weapons Permittees,
     A lady told me that she feels
confident to defend herself because
she has a black belt in [a martial art]
and has practiced sparring a lot.
     In martial arts, that practice
sparring or training with a partner,
you're usually practicing with one
partner at a time, you're not trying
to hurt the other person,
and you know that that other
person is not trying to hurt you. 
In fact, if one of the black belts hurts
a junior belt, the black belt will be
scolded and not allowed to spar until
he can spar with proper control.
     You and your sparring partner
prepare before the bout, and you
know exactly when the bout will start
and end.
     In combat, you don't get any
preparation time.  You don't get any
warning of the attack.  And criminals
operate in gangs.
     As Bruce Lee said, Hollywood fights
and professional fights (with rules) are
too long, real fights last only seconds
(because there are no rules).
The enemy will attempt to instantly
overwhelm you with violence.
     Some martial arts are practiced
as sports.  Those that are Olympic sports
have strict rules against techniques that
would kill or seriously injure the
opponent.  Since, the techniques are illegal,
they are not taught and are not practiced. 
But, these are precisely the techniques
you need in combat.  Judo for instance.
     In Marine Corps recruit training
(in 1981), we were taught Judo flips that
would break the enemy's arm, and hopefully
his neck and back too.  Such techniques are
not generally taught in any civilian Dojo.
So, training in some martial arts can
lead to a false sense of security,
because the techniques won't immediately
incapacitate your enemy.
     Please see,
http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/the-truth-about-violence/
     The U.S. Olympic Committee forces the
"Safe Sport" program on the coaches, athletes,
and judges.  Sports are designed to be safe.
Sports training is designed to be safe.
Combat is not safe.  Combat training is not safe.
     In the early 80's, my Marine Corps unit
was doing the intel for a joint combined
arms exercise in the California deserts. 
We advised the jump be canceled because the
winds were too high.  We estimated that the
101st Airborne would sustain 3% casualty and
1% fatality.
     Lt.Gen. Klingston ordered the jump. 
The Army paratroopers suffered 5% casualty
and 1% fatality (including soldiers crushed
on the ground by moving vehicles in the dark). 
This was acceptable.  This was realistic
training essential for combat readiness.
     Civilians generally don't understand this.
So, in a civilian Defensive Pistol class we
have a zero tolerance for casualties.
But, a civilian Defensive Pistol class is
supposed to be combat training.  How realistic
can your combat training be if you design,
plan, and execute your class to ensure
zero casualties?
     You must train as you fight, because
you will fight as you have trained.  That
is to say, in a high stress situation you
will revert to your training.
    
Merry Christmas!
Jon

P.S.  Every Lt. in the aircrafts obeyed
the general and ordered their soldiers
to jump, knowing what the winds were. 
I didn't know, if I were a Lt., if I would
give the order.  That's why I could
never be an officer.
     My numbers may be wrong.  It was
a long time ago.