Thoughts on Veteran’s Day
Unpacking my equipment from last weekend’s Urban Combat Course in NJ, I’m reflecting on a few conversations I had with the students. One of the unexpectedly best ones was reflecting on today- Veterans Day, also known (and in my opinion, more appropriately so) as Remembrance Day to our friends in the United Kingdom and Canada. The question was double barreled- first, why do I teach classes on holiday weekends and second, why don’t more Vets jump into the training field?
For me the first question is an easy one. Trigger pullers and former trigger pullers face a number of issues ranging from coping with orthopedic injuries due to a high impact lifestyle to mental injuries from the traumatic nature of the job itself. The stress, the fear, the joy, the addition to adrenaline, the need for brotherhood. Its a switch that doesn’t turn off. An activation of fight or flight that only selects fight. There’s a look to the eyes, a manner in the step, when real recognizes real. Those that don’t have it can’t understand, and those that do would rather talk about anything else. So for me at least, taking those holidays where others will be enjoying the day off, drinking beer, and enjoying good food is better spent teaching good people to be more dangerous. We don’t live in happy times and these are not holidays to be enjoyed- he best way to honor the memories of those I’ve lost close to me are spent sharing the knowledge paid for in blood.
The second question is a far more difficult one that I can only answer from my own perspective. Why don’t more vets get into the training field? When I got out of the Army, I was angry, sought others like me, and looked for any outlet that would enable me to share what I know. It was a difficult ride and certainly a learning experience, but one that culminated in my recognition that the lone way to get people out training and to value the knowledge being shared is through offering classes. And even then, it hasn’t been an easy process. The first issue is that in Army I had a baseline of knowledge for the troops I was instructing- since everything is by the numbers, I knew what they knew and what they needed to learn. In teaching civilians, I have zero way of knowing that for sure until I can make a rapid assessment on the fly, and in a mixed bag of students, that’s not an easy thing to consistently pull off. To complicate things, building a curriculum is tough- there’s only so much time in a weekend, and its tough to cram as much in as you can without shooting over the students’ heads. And that’s leaving out the personal risk aspects.
In all, its an intimidating thing. Putting together a class, making it worth your students’ time, and knowing that your success or failure is 100% yours. You own it. Its a tough step off that ramp. But what I will say is that the greatest reward- at least for me- is that in that 48-72 hour period, class recreates all those best aspects of the Army. The replication of that team atmosphere that I have not found anywhere else as a civilian. The enthusiasm of the students, the passion for learning, the spark that you see as a trainer when those that you’re teaching gain something new. Its a validation that yes, you have something to offer the world. That, at least for this small group of good people, you can be the change you want to see. My biggest pet peeve is complaints with no solution (and there’s plenty of that to go around), and training is the best solution we’ve got.
So with that said, on this Veteran’s Day, the vets reading this have skills to share. If you’re wanting to write about your experiences, looking to start up your own training company, or just want to offer a class and test the waters, I challenge you to do it. If you want to get the word out, I’m offering an outlet. The more of us out there training, the better we’ll all be. Keep that hatchet sharp and stay in the fight.
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I do teach. I teach my agency. I’m winding down though. Just over a year left. It’s what I knew so I did.
I’ve taught a few “civilian” classes, church folks etc. once a quarter I do 1-2 topics at our preparedness training.
Some try and say I’m broken. That’s bulls…. I’m trained and experienced in what you fear and don’t understand. I see things you miss or don’t know. I react at speeds well beyond the norm but that don’t make them wrong.
I’ve taught tactics, OC, firearms, gangs and counter terrorism to multiple agencies. Its no more daunting than teaching soldiers. We didn’t waste time on phones during down time in either active or guard and we trained even if it was a 15 minute class on the SKS I brought in from my truck. That’s a rarity these days at drill. It was all selfies and filters the day I visited years after retirement. I don’t get it.
Angry? Not at first. That came years later when the VA and my country turned their back on me. That don’t mean I’m not a patriot or hate my country. I do hate the VA though. Don’t mean I’m gonna do nothing dumb. I just hate them and don’t want anything more to do with them or those who work for them. The belittlement of being called a liar and saying a military documented issue was a lie is a tough pill to swallow after I waited years to even ask for help due to pride. Told’em I didn’t want no money just wanted the help promised. Yeah I’m still angry.
I don’t seek other vets. I’m tight with a few but more often than not they are leaching. All money ain’t good money.
I couldn’t agree more with you that more need to teach. I’m begging for instructors most of the time but it’s easier to be a lop and sham. You have experiences that no one else does. People in preparedness crave it. First Responders need it. Regular folks can benefit from it. Your MOS don’t matter. I’ve seen cooks, clerks and mechanics that went out every single day and did the mission. Just look at the comms posts here. That didn’t start at a ham club tent. NBC guys you know the threats we face as a nation so share what to do. Medical field your gold and wanted.
What we are saying is you are special, talented and skilled. Don’t waste it.
Screw these 2 holidays. Like I’m gonna forget or something ??
As a USMC vet from “way back” 84-88, I’m not sure what I have to offer as the training I received was in flux. We still did stuff they way they did in Vietnam. Oh sure, an L shape ambush will always be that but the rifle and pistol training today, CQB, room clearing, et. al is a quantum leap over my time. I have been training and I dry fire daily but the push to ingrain the new (that C clamp shit has me bonkers!) literally has me mentally translating from old to new. It’s tough and I get discouraged…until I’m the first guy to put 2 in the T-box and I was the last to draw the weapon. Hell yeah, I’m getting there. Go boys! Lead the way! They need us at least to show them that the old gray wolf still bites!
leflard
There’s a lot you probably know. Know how to set up a latrine and where? A hand wash station? Make and then improve a fighting position? Make a guard roster? Draw a range card? How to check for gear rattles and fix them? Apply camo makeup? Treat a heat casualty? Tie your boots and tuck in laces so they don’t catch on branches? (Every deer season I just shake my head at hunters) Drive in a convoy? (Them folks coulda used that in Mexico this week), explain how to use terrain or how it might be used against you?
I have to teach all these things and so many more basic things we took for granted to folks in preparedness.
Man that list can go on and on! You’ve got untapped skills and knowledge.
The tacticool and medical will always change and update but the basics are the same.
You got skills. Own it man. Your a highly trained bada..
My wife (she was RegAF for eight years) and I have been thanked for service by vets from WWII, Korea and Vietnam – very humbling.
I draw alot of inspiration from the guys
at AP and Sam Culper. I know the basic Intel skills, but I figure a USAF 1N0 may not be quite as useful to an NPG in the current state of affairs as any more ground-oriented Intel pro.
I do try to convey the ideals of leadership, looking out for others and practicing teamwork to folks, especially youth. No one gets through life alone. It’s surprising that parents don’t teach this so much as before and even more surprising that these things appear foreign to many adults too.
As a vet from 66-72 USMC – the best way I can think of to thank a vet is being a person worthy of fighting for.
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Thank you for taking a leap of faith and giving me an outlet to get important information out. I am glad to have met you and to call you a friend and brother in such a short time.