A great many people have received training and/or got their concealed carry license, Kudos. I often am asked by CCL holder's, citizens seeking training and experienced people a few common questions, such as: "What is the best carry caliber?", "Which firearm is best to carry?", "Which ammunition if the best for defense?", "If this happens, what would you do?", "When should you do this?". There is so many more questions, the answer to many of these question's comes down to two things, One is take more training and become more educated on the topics that must be mastered for Concealed Carry citizen. The second revolves around the purpose of this article, mindset.
As I have addressed in a few previous articles there is a lot to concealed carry than just getting basic training (which overall training will be covered in another article) and getting license. A great many who have attended are classes are amazed at the vast amount of information, and this is just stepping into the threshold of the many rooms of the manor about the lifestyle. The most important aspect in my humble opinion on personal protection is without a doubt MINDSET. What is mindset, according to the dictionary, it is defined as "the ideas and attitudes with which a person approaches a situation, especially when these are seen as being difficult to alter". There is a vast difference in mindset's in our lives. The one I am addressing is what a Defensive Mindset.
A Defensive Mindset is made up of many small pockets of thought and processing. In essence looking at the world in a different light. One aspect, which I covered in previous article, is Situation Awareness. The other aspect's that come into the Defensive Mindset is broken down as such: Tactical planning, Tactical thought, Plan of action, Line of Action, Engagement Action, and Will of survival. You might hear or read these under different "light" but the essence is the same. A great many people often refer to what I am discussing as "Warrior Mindset". I am purposely avoiding this, as Warrior's of the military are trained both consciously and sub-consciously to perform the action they are trained to carry out when deployed. The rules of engagement and Laws are totally different for civilians, as well as, the time and lifestyle. Let's look at the pockets of thought.
Situation Awareness- as I have stated, this was covered in a previous article, so I will only say this, one must be living in "yellow" to have time and distance on their side.
Tactical Planning- This can be a general or detailed plan that is assembled by yourself for the place you are in. In essence you are aware of what "may" happen, and are starting to form a plan in case it does transpire. It can be as simple as if this happens, I will move to the exit or get under table. To more detail thought of sitting down at home and creating a detailed plan of defense if this happens or that, this usually involves a notebook and deep thought.
Tactical Thought- This differ's from planning, as it is the application of situation awareness and tactical planning. You have thought about it and now that the situation is developing you begin to evolve the plan to the situation which is transpiring. This is a continuous flexible process. Example would be, if this is going to happen I can do this and/or that. This is weighing the options you have at your disposal.
Plan of Action- This is the actual plan that you have decided upon for the situation, taking into account all the variables. If the person does this, I am going to get my family out, if the person does this I will have to shield my family are examples of how it changes. You in essence are coming up with solid plans. Notice it was plural, you want plan A-z if you can. The last resort is to get your firearm, however, depending on the dynamics of the situation that may be the action.
Line of Action- This is a very important part a great many people don't understand and/or instructors fail to teach. You must establish a "RED LINE" for each action taken for the situation. This is the cue to set you into the motion of your plan. Once this threshold is crossed this is the trigger that will commit the plan into action. Realize that once the plan goes into action, that it still evolves, until Engagement. In other's words just because you pull your pistol does not necessarily mean you have to shoot. Examples are: If that person moves through the door I do this ...., or if the person slips their hand inside jacket I am doing this ....
Engagement Action- This refer's more to the actual situation of going for and/or pulling the pistol or getting into the fight. This is the last result and you have used all the "tactics" you can to avoid this. Now the line of action has been crossed, you get to the point of going for pistol, the pistol has been brought out. This is the millisecond of decision, of actual shooting. A bullet can never be called back or sorry doesn't cut it. I believe and teach this, whenever you draw your pistol you have full intention and mindset to use it, but we still hope that it will not be necessary. You must understand that fighting is the final and last step in the negotiation process. Once this action is taken, it does not reverse until the situation has evolved into a safe situation for you or those under the mantel of your care. It could be the person fled, or you have reached a safe area among others.
Will of survival- This is far underestimated and sometimes overlooked. This is often refereed to the will to live. Once you are engaged in an actual fight for survival, you must commit and win, understanding when the fight has stopped so do you. But as long as you are in a life threatening situation, you fight with all your will and might. No matter what you have, even if you run out of ammunition, all you have is a water bottle, keep fighting. Remember it is not the tiger in the fight, but the fight in the tiger. This is a very powerful part of the mindset. This is what has saved human being's from prehistoric animals, combat, cancer and many other against all odds victories. You fight till it has ended or you win.
This mindset takes some time to get into the groove of. Like all things you need to start using it so it becomes natural. As will all things around the lifestyle of concealed carry, this needs to be understood and implemented. This article goes with the few others I wrote, which discusses situation awareness, preparing armed citizen mindset, check them out to understand it to the fullest. In the future, I will write and article that will deal with the last part of the mindset, Mind after engagement. The article will give some insight into a few people who has been in life threatening situations. It will go into what and how they had to deal with the rest of their lives.
Feel free to leave a comment or question.
Todd Mendenhall
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