the things worth believing in

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I recently asked SSgt Daniel Shaw (USMC) of Gunfightercast.com if he would be willing to guest author a post for this blog. After discussing what the topic should be we decided that a revisitation of the definition of Warriorship  would be an appropriate choice.

Warriorship is contagious or it isn’t Warriorship

Tom had asked me a while back to contribute to his site on the topic of “Warriorship” I really couldn’t get started writing until I sat back and thought hard about what Warriorship means to me.

Talking about myself isn’t my strong suit especially when there are so many that do more than I but I couldn’t think of any other way to convey my thoughts.

Like some of you, I grew up with a somewhat martial culture. Disagreements between my older brother and I normally were settled with boxing gloves in the living room. After school my friends and I would get our favorite sticks and stick fight on a neighbors trampoline or find someway to hone our elementary fighting skills. I don’t believe this made me a better physical fighter today but what it did was instil a warriors spirit at an early age. I would get banged up all day and be right back the next to give and receive more punishment.

When I was old enough to drive and had a vehicle I pursued organized martial arts but never stuck with it for its lack of realism until much later in life when I discovered Brazilian jiu jitsu and combat submission wrestling. I knew at the age of 15 that I wanted to be a US Marine infantryman and nothing else. I read every Vietnam book I could get my hands on and found old Marine publications at the surplus store to study. None of this in my opinion made any difference in my “quest” so to speak to become a Warrior.

The thing that made the largest impact on me was the warriors that I was placed with and made an effort to be around. I was very fortunate to not have to beg or press for information but all I had to do was be there and they would give it out at the cyclic rate. I still have the grandest respect for those Marines and most I still see from time to time around the Corps and I make it a point to tell them how they have impacted me.

From those Marines, I not only learned valuable physical skills but I also gained an appreciation for people who not only had the skills and knowledge but also made a deliberate effort to share it with others to keep the spirit alive.

“The only thing better than putting a bullet in a Jihadist brain at 500 yards is teaching 10 Marines to do it and have them execute” - Daniel Shaw

As a CPL with a little over 4 years in I was working as a Primary Marksmanship Instructor and MCRD Parris Island it was there that I was taught how to teach and began to see the rewards of teaching on duty and off as a volunteer firefighter with the unofficial title of “volunteer who teaches the other volunteers”. After my duty at PI I deployed to Iraq for the initial strike and then later went back for another trip. I saw clearly that there was a need of not only good teachers but we needed the type that inspired thinking and a motivation to learn.

Since then I have tried to get back to the fight through the Fleet Anti Terrorism Security teams out of Norfolk VA but after completing the Security Forces school I was kept on as an Instructor. This was a blessing in disguise because Marines with a wealth of knowledge and a will to share it were a dime a dozen and we were able to impact hundreds of Marines that will soon be in the fight.

I am now stationed in Okinawa Japan but as I type this I am sitting in northern Thailand as the only Infantryman assigned to advise and conduct predeployment training for a Battalion of logistics Marines. Even though my wife would loose her mind if she reads this, I truly would love to be in Afghanistan right now doing my thing but I wholeheartedly feel that my teachings and training here will make a difference in not only saving Marines lives but also ending some of the bad guys lives and that helps me sleep at night.

In short, what Warriorship means to me is having the skills, knowledge, mindset and an unselfish desire to instill those traits on the next generation.

So don’t be a stuck up, overbearing, macho range commando. Instead share what you know with others each and every time you see the opportunity.

-Daniel Shaw

Host of Gunfighter Cast

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Sergeant John Basilone
U.S. Marine Corps
Guadalcanal, 1942

In August, 1942, the 1st Marine Division landed on Guadalcanal, encountering stiff resistance from the Japanese defenders. Sgt John Basilone served as a machine gun platoon sergeant in support of Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines.

On the night of 24 October, Sgt Basilone’s platoon occupied a key position in the battalion’s defensive perimeter on a jungle ridge. Just past 2130, the Japanese began a ferocious attack. In the dark rainy night, intense fighting followed, and soon the machine gun unit on Basilone’s right was overrun by screaming Japanese soldiers hurling grenades and firing rifles. At the same time, Basilone’s machine guns started running low on ammunition. Basilone knew that the enemy that had broken through on his right were between him and the ammunition dump, but he decided that if his gun teams were not resupplied, the positions would fall.

Sgt Basilone took off his heavy mud caked boots, stripped himself of all unnecessary gear, and sprinted down the trail. After returning with several belts of ammunition, he set out for the unmanned gun pits to his right, knowing that those heavy weapons were vital tools in the defense of the ridge.

When he got to the gun positions, he found the two unoccupied machine guns jammed, and ran back to get one of his own. He ordered a team to follow him. After Basilone’s gun crew reached their destination, he immediately put them into action. Basilone lay on the ground and began repairing one of the damaged weapons. Once the gun was repaired and loaded, he got behind the gun and began engaging targets. The fight raged on, and Japanese bodies began to pile up in front of the machine guns. At one point, Sgt Basilone had to direct his Marines to push back the piles of bodies to maintain clear fields of fire.

Several more times during the night, Sgt Basilone made trips back to the command area for desperately needed ammunition. Eight separate attacks were sent against the Marines that night, and Basilone’s platoon fired over 25,000 rounds. They were credited with killing an estimated 300 enemy soldiers, playing a major role in thwarting the Japanese attack. This successful defense reestablished the perimeter of the 1st Marine Division, protected the vital airfield, and led to the conquest of Guadalcanal, the first island taken from the Japanese. For his initiative,resourcefulness and leadership in defense of the ridge, Sgt Basilone was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Lessons:

• Tactically, Sgt Basilone understood his role in the defense of the ridge and the intent of the company and battalion commanders. His machine guns served a pivotal role in the company and battalion defense plan. He took numerous actions necessary to ensure his battalion’s success. This included making the decision to weaken one position in order to fortify an adjacent unit’s position to his right.
• Sgt Basilone exhibited great leadership during the defense. He went to great lengths to provide his unit with whatever tools were necessary to maintain the defense of the ridge. His courage in braving enemy fire to deliver ammunition set an example for his Marines.

Source:

Lieutenant M.M. Obalde and Lieutenant A.M. Otero. “The Squad Leader Makes the Difference: Readings on Combat at the Squad Level. Volume I”

Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, 1998

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I just made a neat find. The International Spy Museum Podcast has a number of interesting casts on various topics given by experienced intelligence agents and analysts. Good stuff if you are interested in the topic.

Post ressurection from 2008

After the flame wars over caliber effectiveness and autos vs. revolvers, the next most discussed pistol issue would have to be holster choice. The options for discussion are numerous; inside the waistband our outside? Ankle carry, shoulder rig or waist? Retention or scabbard? Leather or Kydex? and on and on.

IMO many people get too far into the weeds when talking about holster choice. As I see things, the primary concerns for civilian carry should be finding a holster that safely retains the weapon and prevents accidental discharges.  It should present the weapon consistently and be comfortable and convenient enough that you will wear it. The “top of the line” holster you never wear is a waste. Having the weapon on you when needed is first and foremost.

Many people confuse law enforcement retention requirements with what a “civilian” CCW carrier is likely to face. Uniform cops or detectives that “open carry” have to be concerned with gun grab attempts because the bad guys know that you have a gun on you somewhere. Undercover cops and civilians don’t typically have the same concerns. Decent retention and ease of access from under clothing are larger issues. I own a number of holsters; from pricey leather to cheap polymer. My pistol pictured above is in a Fobus, polymer holster. A few years ago an “issue” with these holsters came up:

This caused a big stir in the gun nut community. People were afraid that while walking through the grocery store some tweaker or terrorist was going to attack and break their weapon off of their hip. My problem with this whole hullabaloo is that the holster wasnt designed for external, level III style carry. It’s a beautiful holster for when I’m carrying under a sweater and my Buffalo winter overcoat. It’s fast on the draw with no straps or levers to deal with. It has a positive “click” retention that wont let the weapon bounce out on its own. But Id never carry it exposed on duty or working a plain clothes detail simply because it’s a paddle holster, nevermind the possibility of it breaking off in a struggle.

You must choose your equipment with the purpose you intend to use it for in mind. If you want a holster for range carry or casual low-risk concealed carry, you can use these less expensive holsters. If you are in a  job where a real possibility of a struggle over your weapon exists, you should get a high-end holster and belt rig with added security features.

Keep in mind however that even a level IV holster can be defeated given enough time and intellect on the part of the BG. Safety features only buy you time to try to prevent the disarm.

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Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones. I am not afraid.

Marcus Aurelius

…and it’s intended to be flashy and to make you want to buy their product; so I guess they did a good job because I WANT, WANT, WANT ONE!

But for 3K? I think I will just salivate over the video thank you very much.

Most buildings have multiple rooms, and those rooms can have many doors or openings into other rooms.

In this example the operators start with a basic 2-man entry into the first room.

As the number two man begins to “run his wall” he starts to systematically “slice the pie” into the adjacent room. He sees that the far corner is clear and notices a closed door. He may then hand signal his partner that he observes this door.

There are various ways that the operators can approach this door-less opening. The number one man could cross over to the opposite corner and run the wall to stack behind the number two for entry into the next room, and this may be the preferable method for consistency sake; or if there was a door. Otherwise, he could run his own wall to set-up on the opposite side of the doorway. Doing this allows the operators to clear most of the next room except for the immediate corners.

Since there is no door to deal with, another method of entry that can be used here is known as the “criss-cross”.

The criss-cross is a fast yet risky entry method. You both need to be well trained as the chance of bumping into or tripping each other is higher than it is in “stacked” methods of room entry. It’s important that the operators signal who will be moving first as the most common screw-up here is both trying to get through the “fatal funnel” at the same time.

Once the corners are clear and you have reached your points of domination you will then have to set-up on the closed door.

Except this time, instead of moving down the wall, the operator furthest from the door will move across the room to stack behind the point man so that they can make entry on the closed door from the proper side.

Of course all of this precludes having to clear around objects like furniture, closets and other things that may actually be IN these rooms. Keep in mind that these are tactical basics. Real life requires flexibility within your framework of fundamentals.

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Sergeant Henry Hanneken
U.S. Marine Corps
Haiti, 1919

Following serious rebel uprisings, the United States began a prolonged occupation of Haiti in 1915. Charlemagne Peralte was the leader of the rebel army, known as the “Cacos.”

The 2d Marine Brigade spent several months in unsuccessful attempts to topple Charlemagne’s group. Henry Hanneken, a sergeant in the brigade, devised a bold plan to separate Charlemagne from the bulk of his troops and ambush him. Sgt Hanneken sent one of his most reliable men to become a member of the Caco band. In a short period of time the infiltrator had earned the outlaws’ trust. Then Sgt Hanneken had his spy feed the Cacos the location of a Marine unit that was vulnerable to attack. Hanneken’s spy soon returned with information of a rebel plan to attack these Marines, as well as Charlemagne’s location during this attack.

On 31 October 1919, Sgt Hanneken led 22 local militiamen in an attack on Charlemagne. Disguised as rebels, Hanneken and his unit moved through several guard posts and boldly walked into the unsuspecting rebel camp. When he was within fifteen yards of Charlemagne, Sgt Hanneken drew his pistol, and shot and killed the rebel leader. In the fire-fight that followed, the small raiding party captured the rebel position and defended it from a series of counterattacks.

The Marines who were the target of the rebel attack had been warned by Sgt Hanneken of the impending strike and were well prepared for the rebel attack. The rebels were thoroughly defeated. The morning after the actions, Sgt Hanneken reported his exploits to his commanding officer. Hanneken’s actions had routed more than a thousand outlaws, killed their leader, and virtually shattered the entire bandit resistance movement in northern Haiti. For his actions, Sgt Hanneken was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Lessons:

• Sgt Hanneken displayed outstanding initiative and tactical proficiency in devising and acting upon a plan to defeat a large rebel force. This plan supported the brigade’s mission in Haiti. Sgt Hanneken accepted great risk, but displayed the courage and nerve to see his plan through. His bold action achieved decisive results.
• With a small band of men, Sgt Hanneken was able to defeat a larger rebel force by adhering to tactical fundamentals. His 22-man Main Effort attacked the enemy Center of Gravity, the rebel leader. Without leadership, the rebel force quickly disintegrated.
• Sgt Hanneken used the elements of surprise and deception to execute his attack. Surprise is one of the most important tactical fundamentals and was essential to this tactical undertaking.
• Sgt Hanneken’s actions illustrate how tactical decisions at the squad level can impact the operational and strategic levels of war, and can ultimately affect U.S. policy. Sgt Hanneken’s attack greatly affected the balance of power in Haiti, lessening the turmoil in the country. It was a major step towards ending the rebellion on the island.

Source:

Lieutenant M.M. Obalde and Lieutenant A.M. Otero. “The Squad Leader Makes the Difference: Readings on Combat at the Squad Level. Volume I”

Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, 1998

Here is a nice little preview of Kelly McCann‘s “Crucible HRE Series”. I think I may have to pick this one up.

Although…I do have some small issues with the guy talking about going for the “mobility kill”. Comparing self-defense situations to deer hunting terminal ballistics is a bit of a stretch IMO. First off the deer isn’t a human; It’s not shooting back at you or trying to kill you. Second, most deer hunting scenarios where you see what he is talking about involve shotguns or rifles, not pistol rounds.

It’s my opinion that the “pelvic girdle” shot is a concept best used when that area of the body may be all that’s presented to you. For example, when you are firing at lower body targets from under a vehicle you are using as cover. It’s never been one of my “top of the list” targets. You will always get better and more consistent results with COM shots or head shots.