A.C.T. Mindset

Armed Citizen Tactical mindset (A.C.T. mindset) this is something I coined about a decade ago, I am sure I am not the only instructor who has stated something along these lines. This is the armed citizen using the training tool's that they should of learned and continually improving situation's to there advantage. As we have discussed in several articles the most important tool's that a person can have in their defensive arsenal are: Awareness, time and distance. With out these your chances of defending yourself and/or your family drop dramatically. As well as, the ability to increase your mantle of innocense, by articulating the actions you took to avoid the situation. I hesitate to use the word "tactical", because in todays world it bring's up people in black duty gear charging into room's doing dynamic actions. But in reality everything that you do, to avoid a armed incident is a tactic. From using a shopping cart as a barricade, to changing the direction you are taking to a vehicle, when your awareness tell's you something is starting to fall into place. The key is to learn how to see things starting to happen and realize what item are around and to use them into your favor. One aspect of this mindset that I try and get across to students, especially in advanced class's, is to use the greatest tool you have, your brain. The best defense is a strong offense. Unfortanately, this creates some legal issues. But that doesn't mean we can not take an offensive mindest and start to plan for a situation. Having a plan, which must always be flexible is crucial. When things start to materialize you have a basis to springboard off of. A good example that I relate in one training segment, is how would you handle a situation in a restraunt if you was sitting in a booth, verse's a chair? Think about it, this creates a little different tactic. Would you be better off leaning over and "springing" out from the side? What if you have company sitting next to you? How would you communicate this with the group/spouse you are with? As you can see this alone, hold's it own set of tactics that must be worked out ahead of time. As many of you know the human brain does not act the same in times of duress as it does normally. A discussion on this alone could and does fill volume's of book's. What we need to understand is that we loose fine motor skill's and the a momentary pause of rationalizing. This happens because we must "switch on" from being passive to becomine reactive and aggresive. As an armed citizen you will be reacting to a situation, instead of having the time to act. This is where planning and training comes into play. You will expericance fear and panic. This is natural, and why we must do this. This is why professional's train till they fail or make a mistake, and amatuers train till they get it right. A professional know's that when it happen's time is against him/her and that having a plan and acting upon it, accepting and dealing with the stress and panic in training, is what will keep the field level. What I advise is pick one thing you do in your everyday life and make a log. Then spend some time (a week) pondering and developing a good plan. Then seek training or advice and train on it. A classic example, besides, the ones above, that I get back from students is: You are sitting at a table in a restraunt with your family, a situation begin's to start, what will you do? Initially, you will come up with a quick plan and think it works. But, stop and look at it from all angles and you will find (while you have the time) you forgot about the backstop if the bullet over penetrates, what if you are holding your child on your strong holster side? There will always be a dynamic, and that is why you need to look at it now and get a idea worked out. I go as far as drawing diagrams for the situation. Most of this comes from my military background, but it is a very usefull tool, especially when everything in your life is at stake. The A.C.T. mindset is as with all things conceal carry a lifestyle change. This will help you overcome some of the issues that comes with it. You can start by applying the following to a situation you pick-out: 1. What am I triggering on? 2. What is my immediate response of others under my care? 3. What will be my response of action? 4. Can I articulate why I took this action? 5. Where will my impact's go in I miss or over penetrate? 6. What tool's can become cover/concealment? 7. What obstacles can I use to buy time and distance? Stay safe, plan right, train properly