Fabs are great. God knows they keep me in business. You saw a cool new holster on TV? sure I can get it for you. That new fancy gun? Yeah, but it'll cost you. And what about that new takedown technique? It has to be the best if (insert name here) does it!
Reality is that often times it is hard to say what came first, the chicken or the egg. Is reality fed by these fads, or is pop culture imitating reality? Truth is that it doesn't matter. What people must understand are too things:
- No gear, regardless of how impressive it looks, will ever be substitute to quality training and efficiency with said gear.
- What you choose to use (from gear to tactics) must fit your individual needs, mission, likes and dislikes, budget, SOPs (if applicable), etc. what seemed to work great for one person may be completely inappropriate for you. Here are a few examples that I came across recently:
Fixed blades for cops: We teach edged weapon tactics for police. At the end of the day, most will carry a “Rescue tool” regardless of policies, so we may as well provide them with the training of using that tool as a last resort defensive tool. We also help them develop policies for their agencies for carrying and using these blades. A common consequence is that officers want the biggest knife out there to carry on their belts or thigh rigs. That is inappropriate for their daily mission, may actually increase officer’s risk due to fear of easy access by an assailant and losing that knife to them, and of course the good old reception by the public. The only ones who should possibly carry fixed blade knives, in my opinion, are members of tactical teams, EOD, or other specialized units with specific needs for such a tool.
Holster types and holster equipped jackets/shirts/etc.: This is probably the one aspect that prompted more discussions than any other fab. Especially rookies, but by no means limited to them, get caught up in the “I want what he is using” mentality. I agree that a learning process must be implemented and people must find what works for them…and the only way to effectively do that is by trial and error. With that said, several things must be kept in mind: if you carry a certain way on duty, than shouldn’t your off duty carry at the very least mimic the same movement pattern? Meaning, if you carry on your hip, than would putting an off duty gun in a jacket’s side pocket, ankle holster, or any other “cool” contraption be beneficial? Or would you set yourself for failure due to muscle memory confusion under stress? On a current TV show agents carry their sidearms in a Small of the Back holster. Not sure how many of you tried it, but it is not the most comfortable way of carrying (specifically when driving or sitting at a desk), the draw is awkward, and the shooter ends up flagging many non-target areas before pointing at the threat. But, because it is done by these agents on TV than it must be good.
back heel spinning triple kicks: Man, do those look cool when Chuck Norris does them. But then again, that is Chuck Norris, and unless you were part of Delta Force, a Texas Ranger, and a Karate Champion, you probably have no need for it. They look fancy, but there is nothing about them that would be more effective or easier to execute than a good kick to an opponent’s groin. Period. Most fancy kicks far exceed normal human physical abilities, and when we add gear carried by police, military, or even the average civilian, we see how these kicks will most likely result in you being on the ground getting your behind handed to you.
In conclusion, do not get hooked on what looks good on TV, magazines, or by your neighbor next door who claims to be a secret special agent. Do your homework, find out what works for you, and make sure it fits your needs and abilities. And for god’s sake, get some good quality training to supplement your chosen gear.
As always, stay safe and watch your six.
BK Blankchtein
Masada Tactical Protective Services
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