Tactical Doctrine

Tactical doctrine is defined as “A standard set of maneuvers, kinds of troops and weapons that are employed as a default approach to a kind of attack.” – Wikipedia


In order to be efficient in self-defense, it is crucial to develop your own personal “Tactical Doctrine”. According to “Tactical Pistol Shooting” 2nd edition, there are three “keys” to threat avoidance. These include:

1. Street Smarts
2. Threat Analysis
3. Trade Craft

After studying the blurb following each key, I have decided to put their descriptions in my own words and terms. Hopefully this will make it easier to grasp.

Street Smarts include mental preparation and conditioning. This means to develop key #1, we need to not only train in physical defense, we need to train our minds for defense as well. This is called the “defensive mindset”. Have you ever heard the term “you fight like you train”? This is one of my favorite mantras because it is so true. Bearing that in mind, doesn’t it motivate you to learn more and train harder?

“In a life-threatening situation, you will not rise to the occasion; you will simply default to your level of training”. – Tactical Pistol Shooting 2nd Edition

This is why many people just freeze. They don’t know what to do because anything even close to the situation they are experiencing has never occurred to them. If you practice, even occasionally, you will default to that training. Although, training should be more than occasional. Even if it’s just a mindset. As you walk into a convenience store and see someone lurking you may think, “If he does this, then I’ll do that.” This mental preparation is important too.

Threat Analysis is built upon the foundation of awareness. Situational awareness is the number one tactic to staying safe from an attack. You should have your head on a swivel, be aware of changes in your surroundings and follow your gut instinct. This is actually the Spirit, so being in tune is important in a number of ways. There is far little worse than being shot, but I would consider being shot by my own gun one of those few.
As you pay more attention to who and what is going on around you, you will start to notice that your subconscious often gathers and retains information faster and better than your conscious. Once you have built the habit of staying aware, you will be able to analyze your attacker much more clearly. Just like on the show “Criminal Minds” when the team gathers as much information as they can and then uses those clues to fill in the blanks.

Tradecraft is basically training. Like I said before, you train physically; but you must put equal, if not more, effort into training mentally. All I can say is: train, train, train and then when you’re done; train some more. There may well be more main keys to your personal defense doctrine; this is something you should think about, write down, and practice. Remember, when under attack you must act immediately and action is always quicker and more effective than reaction.

If we can practice the simple things, we will be more prepared for self-defense. Those of you, who have access to a weapon, a gun, and a place to shoot, should be training as much as possible. Winter is so much more difficult to train in unless you can find an indoor facility. I am taking this winter time to put together a shooting training program. I want to be ready for better weather to start a training program that I hope to continue even into the winter months.
Speaking of doctrine, I have some personal doctrine I try to live by.
I’m a fan of the TV show NCIS. On NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs is a former Marine Scout Sniper and he has a rule for everything. If you’re not familiar with “Gibbs’ Rules” I invite you to do a Google search and you’ll find several reference sites with them. In my life I’ve developed a set of rules as well, but never before did I list them. Here they are.
Burn’s Rules of Engagement (Rules of Life)

1. God, Family, Country.
ALWAYS in that order!


2. Family should never fight alone.
See Rule #1. Whether it’s a physical, mental, or a spiritual fight. We stand together or we fall apart. Loyalty goes a long way! Family doesn’t necessarily mean blood.

3. Service and Charity never faileth.
You are never too busy, never too poor, never too tired, to give service and help a fellow human.

4. Avoid debt like you would disease.
“Rather go to bed supperless than rise in debt.” Benjamin Franklin

5. Ain’t no one happy unless Mama’s happy.
“Mama” could be your wife, your Mother, your girlfriend, your sister. Make them happy.

6. Never give up if the task is just.
"Don't be discouraged at seemingly overwhelming odds in your desire to live and to help others live God's commandments. At times it may seem like David trying to fight Goliath. But remember, David did win.” David B Haight

7. Work smarter, not harder.
Work as hard as you can, no one ever drowned from sweating! Don’t be afraid of the harder but smarter is usually better.

8. Trust, but verify.
Never assume or take for granted. Trust those you love. But remember, trust can be broken in an instant. Rely on the Lord.

9. A soldier’s way saves the day!
Use your head. How can you use that item, any item, as a weapon, tool, whatever your need may be? Ingenuity goes a long way.

10. Don’t follow the “red herring”.
Don’t get distracted from your mission. Stay on target. Distraction can waste time and keep you away from what you should be focused on. Sometimes it’s camouflage. (A2S=Adjust to survive)

11. Don’t leave home without a knife.…or a gun.
I’ve followed this rule for years. Make sure whatever you carry, you carry legally. If you’re licensed for a firearm, always carry.

12. Have thick skin.
Be hard to offend or anger. “No one can offend you without your permission.” Elenor Roosevelt

Develop your own tactical doctrine. My ROE (rules of engagement) are just rules I use to govern my life. By developing this type of doctrine, you can live a much more prepared life!

Semper Paratus
Burn