Navy SEAL Lessons Learned From Aurora Colorado

[Guest Shep Stoner308]

Thought others here might like to see this, I would imagine that most of you already understand and appreciate what the author Brandon Webb · July 24, 2012 · writes in this article.

Navy SEAL Lessons Learned From Aurora Colorado

by Brandon Webb · July 24, 2012 · Posted In: Slideshow, Special Operations

As I continue to read about the terrible tragedy in Aurora, Colorado, I can’t help but think there’s some lessons from my time as a Navy SEAL that I can pass on to the average citizen. I want to make sure that the victims of the Aurora do not suffer or die in vain. As a country, we need to learn from this tragedy, raise awareness, and save lives in the future. So here goes…

Don’t Make Yourself an Easy Target

When at sporting events, concerts, and the movies, choose seats that give you a tactical advantage always. What do I mean? Choose seats that allow good and east vantage points and a hasty exit point. Always stack the odds in your favor. It’s the reason I still combat park (back in to a space) and sit with my back to the wall when I’m eating.

Active Shooter Scenario Advice

Take cover and not concealment. Concealment hides, cover hides AND protects. It’s the difference between hiding behind a movie seat or a concrete wall.

Don’t lie there with your eyes closed and get shot. Think and move. In these situations you have to take charge and get in the mindset of self-rescue. You cannot wait for first-responders – it takes too long. A good decision executed quickly is better than a great one never executed. Violence of action, as we call it in the Spec Ops community, will often change the odds in your favor.

For close quarter combat drills we’d draw a gun with someone over 20 feet away running at us. In most cases you can be on someone before they can draw and take a shot. I’m not advocating running straight at someone but if you have the tactical advantage (jam, re-loading, distraction or the shooter isn’t paying attention) then take the shooter down or get the hell out of there. Remember that a moving target is extremely hard to hit, even for the well-trained shooter. Deal with the situation with your eyes wide open.

In Aurora, the shooter was severely weighted down with armor and his helmet would have also limited his vision. You can use all this to your advantage.

Flashlight anyone? I have one for daily carry and take it everywhere with me. It’s become another extension of me and has diffused at least two potentially violent confrontations in a non-lethal way. I recommend the Surefire P2X Fury Dual Output LED.

How to use it in this situation?

I would have pulled my high lumens pocket flashlight and blinded this guy. The high powered beam would have taken away his vision for 3-4 seconds, which is an eternity and enough time to flight or fight. There’s also no shame in surviving and getting you and your loved ones out of harm – especially little ones. Be a Hero to your kids and family for surviving, nobody can expect more of you than that. Like we say in Survival Escape Evasion Resistance (SERE) school, “Survive with Honor.â€

Concealed Carry

If you’re lucky enough to live in a state like Texas that not only allows concealed carry, but supports the use of deadly force, then train to use it.

Think seriously about whether it’s worth a Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit in states where you’re likely to get screwed by a jury if you use it. Example: I can get a CCW in CA but I’m likely screwed if I shoot somebody. The mostly liberal (I’m a registered independent for the record) jury will be sure to have my ass and it’s why I own a dog that’s trained to bite and protect (another good option). Nothing makes me happier then visualizing PETA pitted against other wild-eyed liberals.

Bottom line is that if you own a gun and have it as daily carry, you’d better rehearse your use scenarios both physically and mentally, and the same with the gun in the home. Mental practice is extremely valuable after you’ve mastered the basics. FYI, shooting paper at the local range will not prepare you for a defensive shooting situation. Rehearsing defensive scenarios is the only thing that will prepare you.

For most of you, the best bet is to buy a good tactical flashlight, there are plenty on the market. Specs: At least 200+ lumens, waterproof, LED, and a 3volt lithium battery. Use and carry your light with you at all times. It’s the best non-lethal and practical option available, in my opinion. You can take it anywhere – including on an airplane – and if it’s a high lumen model it will blind people in broad daylight. I can’t recommend this purchase enough.

Learn From an Expert

There are plenty of former Military and Law Enforcement that have great self-defense skills. Just vet your instructor carefully, ask for references and proof of service. While there are many solid instructors out there, there are also a plethora of wannabe Rex-Kwon-Do types who are self-proclaimed experts and worse – lie about their service.

Alter Your Lifestyle, and it May Save Your Life

Avoid opening night and large crowds (e.g. go to Disney World during off-peak) that make easy targets. FYI, most domestic and foreign terrorists want the biggest bang for their buck. They want Yankee stadium sold out and not Padre stadium at 60% capacity. It sucks to live this way sometimes but ask the survivors from Colorado if it’s worth a minor lifestyle change. I say it is, and it’s the main reason I’m watching the Olympics on TV and not attending this year. London is too much of a risk for a variety of reasons that I will not go into on this post.

Don’t Be a Victim

Rehearse emergency scenarios before there’s an emergency, the time to practice is NOT when it’s happening.

The world is a dangerous place these days. Be prepared.

Read more: http://sofrep.com/96.../#ixzz21ZVDdAza

Edited July 24, 2012 by Shep Stoner308

[gnmwilliams]

Rex Kwon Do!!!

[gjohnsoniv]

Good read.

[Steelharp]

"Good and east..." I assume this has something to do with sun position? Educate me...

[monkeylizard]

<<nevermind>>

Edited July 24, 2012 by monkeylizard

[Guest vca2004]

Excellent post! Thank you so much for sharing. I'm glad you did.

[Kenstaroni]

My Surefire Defender rides in my pocket every day for the same reasons described above. It's an awesome defensive tool and at 200 lumens will definately temporarily blind someone. I usually walk to my car in a parking lots, ect with it in my left hand. I bought a smaller but still bring little streamlight for my wife and it sits in the top pouch of her purse with her little pink Spyderco knife...lol

[Moped]

Excellent article! Thanks for posting it for us to read!!!

[Guest ArmaDeFuego]

Man I want one of those flashlights but its hard to justify dropping $100+ on a flashlight.......

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Great article. Lots of good points.

[Sidinman]

Man I want one of those flashlights but its hard to justify dropping $100+ on a flashlight.......

It may be, but if it saves your butt just one time won't it be worth it?

As said above, good read. Thanks

Edited July 25, 2012 by Sidinman

[G27]

"Good and east..." I assume this has something to do with sun position? Educate me...

I assumed he meant 'easy' but the spell checker didn't catch 'east'.

[Guest 270win]

Surefire makes great flashlights. I have an older Surefire with a regular bulb and it is bright.

[gjohnsoniv]

Man I want one of those flashlights but its hard to justify dropping $100+ on a flashlight.......

When you buy something that you might use to defend your life with, a hundred bucks isn't that expensive.

[Moped]

I looked at a Surefire today. It was the one that requires constant pressure on the button and it was 200 Lumens. The Clerk asked me what I wanted it for and I told him for defense purposes. He allowed me to go into the dressing room with the lights out and shine the light, via a full length mirror into my eyes. It caused spots, but no blindness. I think I need to look for the 500 Lumen light. Now in fairness, this was at lunch and I had just come in from the bright sunlight. That might have had something to do with it.

I want to pocket carry this, so no big light. However a 4" or 5" light fits into my jeans pocket just fine.

[monkeylizard]

Who would have Surefires and other quality lights in stock? I'd like to take a look at some before dropping the coin.

[gjohnsoniv]

@Monkey Lizard, if you were in Knoxville I would say drop by and I can show you some where I work, but you're not. Check Greene's Military and Police in Nashville though.

I looked at a Surefire today. It was the one that requires constant pressure on the button and it was 200 Lumens. The Clerk asked me what I wanted it for and I told him for defense purposes. He allowed me to go into the dressing room with the lights out and shine the light, via a full length mirror into my eyes. It caused spots, but no blindness. I think I need to look for the 500 Lumen light. Now in fairness, this was at lunch and I had just come in from the bright sunlight. That might have had something to do with it.

I want to pocket carry this, so no big light. However a 4" or 5" light fits into my jeans pocket just fine.

I carry a backup and it's plenty bright for my needs. They do have a new model similar to the Backup that's really bright in a similar sized package. P2X Fury is what it is, 500 lumens on high and 15 on low. Another one would be the R1 Lawman, it's longer but 750 lumens on high. It's also dual fuel so you can use the regular 123A lithium batteries or the rechargeable ones. Only problem is it's $455... Edited July 26, 2012 by gjohnsoniv

[lowery100]

Who would have Surefires and other quality lights in stock? I'd like to take a look at some before dropping the coin.

Green Military & Police in Dolelson has a good selection of Surefires and a couple of others.

[Transplanted Hoosier]

I have 3" Gerber flashlight and multi tool I carry everywhere. (As well as my 1911) You never know when you'll need them and are always glad you have 'em when you do need them. Until now, I never thought of using the flashlight in a self defense situation.

[Moped]

Greene's Military and Police in Knoxville was where I stopped today, but they most not have had the Fury. That's the one Brandon Webb recommended.

gjohnsoniv, I'd love to checkout a 500Lumen Fury, if you have access to it.

[gjohnsoniv]

Greene's Military and Police in Knoxville was where I stopped today, but they most not have had the Fury. That's the one Brandon Webb recommended.

gjohnsoniv, I'd love to checkout a 500Lumen Fury, if you have access to it.

Let me see if I can't slide one in on our next order and I'll let you know. Edited July 26, 2012 by gjohnsoniv

[Lumber_Jack]

Let me see if I can't slide one in on our next order and I'll let you know.

I think you might have told me before, but where do you work?

[gjohnsoniv]

I think you might have told me before, but where do you work?

Store downtown called Emery's 5 and 10.

[Oh Shoot]

Store downtown called Emery's 5 and 10.

You consider the 4000 block of Chapman Hwy. "downtown"?

- OS

[gjohnsoniv]

You consider the 4000 block of Chapman Hwy. "downtown"?

- OS

South Knoxville to be fair. I say downtown for anything close to downtown.