What I Learned From A Green Beret

 

 Green Berets rely on their problem-solving abilities to survive in combat. Much of SF selection seeks to assess this talent and the Special Forces qualification course develops and improves creativity. Many times, military problems must be solved with the application of force. Green Berets are not afraid to get their hands dirty, but they understand the power of working with and through others. A friend of mine, George, a Green Beret and a Ranger, told me this story. I don’t think it’s true, but it does explain the Green Beret and the rangers.

The story goes like this.

The new secretary of defense had been confirmed and was touring the Pentagon, taking briefings on the capabilities of his forces. He had a well-deserved reputation as a no-nonsense guy. After a briefing on Special Operations Forces, he was escorted to lunch by a Green Beret officer.

The secretary’s confused look did not bode well as they walked through the E ring. “I understand how SOF is different from conventional forces, but the Rangers and Green Berets seem just alike to me. You have a Special Forces Tab and a Ranger Tab. What’s the difference?”

“The units are very different, sir. While both units are composed of very capable soldiers, selected for intelligence and fitness, Rangers attack the enemy directly, while Special Forces work by, with, and through indigenous forces to accomplish tasks far beyond their numbers.” The Green Beret secretly hoped he would not be pulled into the eternal Ranger versus SF discussion for the 10,000th time. He prided himself on his teaching abilities, but this guy was being obtuse.

“They dress just alike, they are both ARSOF units, and they both have direct-action capabilities. How are they so different?” It seemed the secretary was going to force this. The next four years of Special Forces missions hinged on the new secretary’s understanding. As they walked through an area of temporary construction, the Green Beret had a flash of inspiration.

“Sir, humor me here; let’s do a little demonstration. Rangers are highly aggressive. They pride themselves on their toughness and discipline. They follow orders without question. You see that huge soldier with a tan beret? He is a Ranger.”

As the Ranger approached, the Green Beret called out, “Hey, Ranger! Come here.”

The Ranger moved toward them, sprang to attention and saluted. “Rangers lead the way, sir. How may I be of assistance?”

“Can you help us here for a moment? This is the new Secretary of Defense. He wants to know more about the Rangers. Will you help me educate him?”

Pointing to a new section of hallway, the Green Beret officer said, “Ranger, I need you to break through that wall.”

“Hooah, sir. Would you like a breach, or complete destruction?”

“A man-sized breach will be fine.”

With that, the Ranger removed his beret and assumed three-point stance six feet from the wall. With a grunt, he launched himself into the wall, punching his head and shoulders right through the drywall. Hitting a 2×4 on the way through, he was a little stunned, but he continued to work, smashing a hole wide enough for a fully kitted Ranger to pass through. Staggering to his feet with a trickle of blood running down his face, he appeared a little disoriented.

“Thank you, Ranger. Great job. You are a credit to the Regiment. You need to go to the aid station and get someone to look at that cut.”

The secretary was incredulous. He had never seen such a display of pure discipline and strength. “That was astounding. What could Special Forces possibly do to match that?”

The Green Beret was also impressed but not surprised. “The Rangers are highly disciplined sir, but Special Forces selection and training also produces strong, disciplined soldiers. We deploy older, more mature soldiers in very small numbers. They understand that they are a valuable strategic resource and are selected for their advanced problem-solving abilities.”

The secretary seemed displeased. “Frankly, that sounds pretty bogus. It seems that these Rangers are the finest soldiers in the Army. What could Special Forces do that the Rangers cannot?”

As he spoke, a Green Beret staff sergeant walked by. Not as young or lean as the Ranger, he had a commanding presence, and a serious look filled with confidence. The Green Beret officer called him over.

“Hey Mike, can you help us here for a moment? This is the new Secretary of Defense. He wants to know more about the Special Forces; will you help me educate him?”

The staff sergeant shook the secretary’s hand and introduced himself. “How can I help you, sir?”

Pointing to an undamaged section of hallway, the Green Beret officer said, “Mike, I need you to break through that wall.”

“No problem. Would you like a breach, or complete destruction?”

“A man-sized breach will be fine.”

The staff sergeant removed his beret and stood for a moment in silence, six feet from the wall. He scanned the area and smiled broadly as he found the perfect tool for the job. “Hey Ranger,” he said, “Come here.”

Know your abilities, learn about your environment, and use your resources deliberately. Green Berets know that finding just the right tool can be the most important part of the job. The Ranger in the story can take down a wall. The Green Beret can take out walls until he runs out of Rangers, and then one more. As a force multiplier in the real world, the Green Berets can enlist large units with local knowledge to fight beside them. A single 12-man A-Team can train and employ a 500-man infantry battalion. That is a significant return on investment for the taxpayer. Value yourself and use your rapport skills to build partnerships. Many hands make light work; don’t do everything yourself. Green Berets know that there is no limit to what you can do if other people are doing the work.

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

Remembering Jeff Cooper

 May 10, 1920, Is the birthday of Lt. Colonel John Dean “Jeff” Cooper.  I had the privilege of being taught by Jeff himself in the 80’s for a portion of a military small arms instructor’s course.  He was a great teacher and easy going.  He had great stories that applied to his teaching.  I learned much from him.  I asked him about the Big Bear Leatherstrap matches that he started, and he was surprised I had even heard of them!  They started before I was born.

While his accomplishments and contributions to shooting were nearly incalculable, here are just a few:

 

Developed the Four Safety Rules

 

Developed the Color Code of Awareness, and literally wrote the book on mental conditioning for combat and self-defense

 

He had started the Leatherslap matches at Big Bear (CA), the first open combat-style competitions

 

Helped refine and promulgate the Modern Technique of the Pistol.  He is the father of Combat Pistol techniques.

 

Founded Gunsite Academy, the first top-tier shooting school to admit armed citizens

 

Founded the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC), the grandfather of all action/practical shooting sports

 

Developed the Scout Rifle concept. The scout rifle is a conceptual class of general-purpose rifles. Defined and promoted by Jeff Cooper in the early 1980s that bears similarities in the design and functionality of guide guns, mountain rifles, and other rifle archetypes. With more emphasis being placed on comfortable portability and practical accuracy, rather than firepower and long-range shooting.

 

Almost single-handedly popularized the 1911 as a defensive sidearm.  He loved the 1911!

 

Please remember Jeff for his concepts and foresight.  Not only that, but he was a nice guy!

 

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

Rant: Putting Your Trust and Testimony Where It Belongs

 The following is kind of a rant.  I’m not meaning it to be, but I suspect it is.  It is also not really gun related.  It’s the “LDS” part of LDS Gunsite.  So be warned.

 

This site is all about preparation.  Guns and security are just a small, focused part of that preparation. 

I’ve just been given a calling in my ward.  It’s a calling I don’t want but know I need to fulfill.  It’s not Bishop, thank goodness, I got that T-shirt.  It is another calling I have had before.  But I’m getting to the age where I’ve had just about every calling I can in a ward.  But anyway, I was called but won’t be sustained for a few weeks.  So that has me thinking about what I need to do in this calling.  I also had a conversation with a man who has left the Church.  I don’t know if this guy is anti, our conversation wasn’t that long.  But he told me he left the Church because of a few things, I’m sure there’s more.  But just like the exmos, he had to give me his church resume.  For some reason when someone leaves the church they must prove how “faithful” and “active” they were.  They must tell me this was a long time coming.  Like DUH!  I don’t think an active member just wakes up one day and says, “I think I’ll leave the Church today.”  And then he proceeded to give me a bunch of baloney that I actually can agree with to a certain point.  But he got me thinking where my loyalty and testimony lie. This poor sap let policy kill his testimony of inspired leaders.  He is of the mind that if leaders in the church were inspired, they would never make mistakes or tell the members something that was not in their best interest.  There were a couple of actual incidents he mentioned but I’m only going to address one of them.

He had a problem with the Church telling its members to get the jab.  COVID 19 immunization.  There are a few issues I have with this.  On the outset, my family and I did NOT get this shot.  My job was threatened if I did not get it but all I said was “Bring it on!”  I told them if I lost my job, I would get a lawyer and sue everyone of them personally!  They were kind of offended.  But so was I!  Anyway, the Church counseled the members to get this jab.  The Prophet even made a big deal of his compliance with this “mandate” along with a list of the Apostles who got it too.  A few months prior President Nelson told the members to use the Spirit in their lives more fully.  So, when this question of a jab started to be talked about, my wife and I committed the question of whether to get this immunization to prayer.  We feel we were inspired to not take it.  After we had made this decision, the Church came out with their recommendation.  It didn’t change what we already knew we needed to do as a family.  Then came the drama.  Members actually thought that this was what the prophet wanted the Church to do as “good” members.  At the time I was a member of the High Council.  Our Stake President went along with the hype and said the message sent by the first Presidency was official.  I pointed out that it was not.  I had him go to the Church’s official letter website to find this “official” letter to the Church.  It doesn’t exist.  I asked him since when does the Church take its official communication and send it to every member of the church that has an email?  That’s not, nor will it ever be, the way the Church works.  When there is something official, it is sent to priesthood leadership and then to the members.  I even heard from the pulpit someone say something to the effect that if you don’t get this shot, you were not following the Prophet!  Please!  That is pure, unadulterated, hogwash!  But the Church and its dimwitted members believed that.  Well, as for me and my family, we will follow the Spirit.  Let me say right here, I follow, sustain, and love our Prophet President Russell M Nelson.  I know for myself that he is a Prophet of God and speaks for the Lord.  The problem I have is that everything that these brethren utter is not “Thus saith the Lord.”  Plus, they are mere men.  I don’t think President Nelson was deceived.  I don’t think he made a mistake.  Doctors are taught that pharma and immunization are the only way to battle sickness and disease.  The medical world runs by this.  Most medical personnel are taught this and have it drummed into their brains.  Some Doctors are on to this and use pharma with great caution.  I think modern medicine is amazing.  But sometimes they get myopic and lopsided in this.  Big pharma is big.  Billions of dollars are at stake, so drugs are pushed.  I don’t like it.  My training is not medical, but I still don’t like it!  I think in many cases it kills more than it helps.  So, I feel that President Nelson is going by his training.  By and large, those who took the jab didn’t have major problems with it.  But a large minority did have problems.  I’m convinced several healthy individuals had strokes and even some deaths from that jab.  I know that this has happened even with the Flu shot, but I feel this has been worse because it was forced and not tested.  So, I guess some people had their testimony rooted in the wrong place.  If you put your testimony in a man, though he is a prophet, or an organization, though it be the true church, you will be let down.  Men can set bad policy.  Organizations can set bad policy.  All are human and with that you will find mistakes and even wrong choices being made.  Some are under the impression that a prophet can’t make a wrong choice.  They are mistaken.  Some think the true church is never going to lead them astray.  In this is not safety.  Joseph Smith lost 116 page manuscript of the Book of Mormon! Only faith in, and a foundation in, the Savior will keep you grounded.  Christ will never fail you where people will.  I feel sorry for those that build their foundation on shifting sand.

Let me say I know for myself that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.  The fact that they pushed something I don’t think is right doesn’t change that.  If I have questions about counsel or policy I will use the Spirit.  The Spirit saved my life in combat and on my mission, it will not let me down.  But my testimony is in Christ.  He will not ever let me down even if I don’t go along with His prophet or church policy.  I am very sorry for those that believe the "all or nothing" theory.  If the Church puts out a policy I do not care about, like their gun policy, I have a choice to follow it, or not.  I have never heard a doctrinal fact, or a proclamation that I have not agreed with, or I thought was wrong.  I don’t think I ever will.  Policies and counsel may change, but the doctrine will not.  This is how I know that there will never be gay marriage in the temple, or the priesthood given to women.  That would take a doctrinal shift that I feel will never happen.  But if it did, I would not leave what I know to be true.  Someone who is shaken by a medical policy will never survive the real battles that are soon to come.  Also, I am not an anti-vaccer.  I have vaccines (like the military would have let me off the hook) but so do my children.  Not the jab, but proven and tested vaccines when they were children.  My son went on a mission during COVID and did not have the jab.  He went to Africa so he had every other shot you can think of.  We told the Church “No” and they accepted him anyway.  He came home when all the missionaries were called home but went back a few months later and finished his mission in Africa.  The Church did not say, “Sorry.  He can’t serve without the Covid shot.”   

Basically, I want to say that be careful where you put your testimony.  Make sure it is on solid ground and that it can’t be shaken with human frailty or mere policy.  Make sure if there is policy you don’t agree with that you will feel you’re not following your prophet by not agreeing with it.  Make sure what counsel you are receiving and how it is being given.  Don’t let some whak-o member or leader try to tell you you’re out of line by not following counsel or policy.  Make sure you recognize the Spirit when it speaks to you and the source of that feeling.  Things will get worse that are similar to this situation.    Don’t become a “tare” being sifted from the “wheat” because of a misunderstanding or someone’s interpretation.  Be found living the gospel and worthy of decerning with the Spirit what is truth.  Be strong and don’t jump ship over some petty thing.

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

Concealed Carry: 7 Ways

 

According to Pew Pew Tactical there are 7 ways to carry a pistol. (“7 Ways to Carry Concealed for Every Type of Handgun” by Brandon Harville, December 14, 2017)

I think he is right.  I’d like to mention these 7 ways for you to consider.  Refer to Pew Pew Tactical for more details.  I just want to comment, from my opinion and experience, on each one. 

I started to carry in the 80’s.  I’ve tried just about every type of holster and am open to more ideas or technology.  In 1988 I experienced a combat situation.  I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD and experience hyper vigilance.  Sometimes, I worry that it will become paranoia.  But because of this hyper vigilance I’ve felt the need to carry a weapon everywhere I go.  So, I am interested in the 7 ways to conceal carry.

Inside the waistband holster. (IWB)

This of course is retaining the gun on a holster inside the waistband of pants.  I did this when I had a waist.  Since I’ve aged some, I need to work harder to keep a waistband.  This keeps your gun close for easy access.  This way also is easier in hot weather where you wear less clothing.

Outside the waistband (OWB)

I used to love this method because I could carry a full-size gun.  I like 1911’s but haven’t carried (or owned) one in some time.  This method challenges ways to conceal.

 

Bellyband (BB)

This is worn under a shirt next to the belly as the title suggests.  It is an extremely concealable method.  Access and versatility are all built into a band.  It carries your gun close to your body so a draw may be more difficult.  There are usually extra pockets for magazines or a flashlight or even a cellphone.  If you’re a runner this can be a good choice.  A belly band is very versatile.  You can put it in any position around your body.

 

Shoulder harness (SH)

If you watched TV-cop shows from the 70’s and 80’s you would be very aware of these holsters.  Every detective carried his gun this way.  This holster is great for bigger or full-sized guns.  Dirty Harry wore one of these holsters when he carried “a 44 Magnum and will blow your head clean off.”

Shoulder holsters come in three styles named after the way the gun rests in the holster:

• Angled – muzzle is angled upwards, making it relatively quick to draw.
• Horizontal – gun is drawn by pulling it straight across the body.  While it’s faster than the vertical, it works best with guns with short barrels.
• Vertical – muzzle is pointed down.  Generally, it is the slowest way to draw but is the most accommodating for large-sized guns.

Pouch Carry

How do you feel about fanny-packs?  That’s what these are.  You can carry a lot more than a gun and magazine, but you’ll have to deal with jerks like me teasing you! 

Alos, you are basically open carrying.  Most people would not think that you have a gun in your pouch, but there is always the chance.  Fanny-packs are just unusual enough to bring unwanted attention to you.  If you do use one of these make sure any holster or gun name is not visible  This is a giveaway.

Ankle carry

Lots of law enforcement carry a backup gun in an ankle holster.  It is very concealable. As long as you wear the right loose-fitting pants with a leg loose enough to lift quickly to get to the weapon.

 

Pocket carry

I like this mode of concealed carry.  It is not conducive to tight fitting clothing.  It is great for smaller calibers like .25, .32, or .380’s.  I do have a 9mm that is a sub-compact and fits into a pocket holster really well.  Make sure you use an actual holster.  Don’t just put it in your pocket.  It will move around enough to not be oriented to draw.  I also make it a point to only carry my pocket holster in that particular pocket and nothing else.

 

There are many options for concealed carry and these are a few.

Find a technique and holster that works for you.  Carry.  Carry everywhere you can legally carry.

 

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

Becoming A Small Arms Instructor

 Lately I’ve had questions about becoming and being an instructor.  I wrote this post many years ago but it answers many of the questions I’ve been asked.

So here it is:

 

16 AUG 2016

Many years ago, I had an opportunity to train military pilots in how to shoot a pistol. After going to a gun show last weekend, I was reminded of some of my experiences training pilots.
I love to teach about guns and shooting. I love to learn about guns and shooting. Regardless of my years of experience and age I know that there are many, many, many things I don’t know. Shooting is very personal. You can teach basics of grip, stance, breathing, trigger control, etc. but it really can come down to personal style. I’ve seen people shoot well in ways that if it was me, I could never hit the broad side of a barn with those techniques. When I was younger, I played a lot of basketball. I was an adequate player. I remember watching Rick Barry shoot free throws underhanded. Underhanded in the NBA! We called that “granny” style when I was a kid. He led the NBA in scoring for many seasons and when he retired in 1980 held the record for free throw percentage with .900. Learning the basics and finding a successful way of doing things is not wrong or bad, it’s just what works for you!
As I was at this gun show looking at guns I ran into many personalities. Some were very friendly and did not talk down to anyone. Others were know-it-alls with a narrow view of what is and is not. As I was talking with a particular guy we did not agree on a particular point. I tried to explain that this particular shooting style has been adopted successfully by many young shooters. He insisted it was wrong and that with his “experience and vast knowledge” of shooting that he knew this particular point. I told him I disagreed and as we talked, we realized that many years before he and I competed against each other. We figured out a particular match that I used the style we were disputing and beat him and won the match. We should always be careful about “what we know.”
Anyway, in teaching pilots to shoot I ran into some real hot shot go-getters who were arrogant and overconfident. They thought they knew best in how to shoot without yet mastering the basics. Often, they would fail their qualifications, which would stop them from flying. Flying was their lives, and I was the cause of their not being able to fly. It wasn’t until they had been humbled a little, would acknowledge some weakness, accept constructive criticism, and make the corrections that would re-qualify them.
There are few jobs in the world as influential as a firearms or combat instructor.
Unlike any other subject, the teaching of dangerous or even lethal force carries a responsibility like no other topic. Add to that the fact that students in these courses could be called on to use the information provided within hours. This is a serious dose of reality and a reminder that lives can be at stake.
Teaching can appear to be an easy gig. You just stand there and tell people how to do things. While this is an oversimplification of the attitude, it is essentially true. Few will see the methodology used to pass on this critical information in a relatively short amount of time. While the core of this section could fill an encyclopedia, there are certain areas we can focus on, and they are known as the three “P’s.”
The Three P’s
Presentation of the given material must follow a logical and methodic path. Skills and principles should build successively on each other until the student has been exposed to
multiple layers of information. A great way of putting it: Make the pieces of information bite sized so they are easily taken in.
Professionalism has become a cliché in much of life, but it is a cornerstone to building solid shooters. Unless it is a military course, boot camp is over. Yelling and screaming accomplishes nothing other than boosting your ego. Treating students as professionals is the best way to develop a solid product. Be firm, consistent and develop a strong rapport with students.
Performance is the final part of this trilogy. As a professional instructor, you should be able to do anything you ask your students to do cold. This means that, without any warm-up, you should be able to walk to the line and perfectly execute whatever it is that you are teaching. This is a standard that I hold myself to, as does every other serious professional in the training business.
Keep Your Edge
The refinement of technique and philosophy should be at the forefront of every instructor’s mind. Times change, weapons improve, and society evolves. What was very good information 20 years ago can in many cases now be antiquated. It is important to make sure you are teaching students the most current and relevant information available. To do that, you must continue to train yourself. We need to park our egos and put our “student hats” on as much as possible. Seek out training by a variety of respected instructors around the country. While there are many big names on this list, do not be quick to dismiss smaller instructors who quietly provide world-class training. In many cases these instructors will be much more current in related techniques and tactics.
These skills are perishable and must be maintained. Even beyond taking part in other courses, master instructors need to practice the craft that they are teaching. Once again, we will look at one of the “P” principles: performance. This does not happen magically. It can only be managed through serious training and repetition. Holding yourself to a high standard will not only put you in elite company, but it will also make you a strong role model for students in your classes.
Be Constructive
There are many schools of thought on teaching methodologies. Regardless of what style is being used, it is essential to provide the students with feedback. If your students are professionals to begin with, you will rarely gain any ground with them by being demeaning and loud. These people have already been through their basics and should be treated as such. As you work the class through drills, you must provide students with feedback on their performance and how it rates in comparison to what you require of them. Make corrections and keep them on track for success. Be quick to praise and slow to punish. The mistake you just saw a student make may have been the only one they made up to that point, but you happened to be there to witness it. If it becomes a pattern, make corrections. Students undeniably respond better to positive contact than negative. Do not confuse this with coddling students, which is equally destructive and builds a false sense of confidence. But, in simple terms, let them know when they are doing it right. Set high expectations and show the students how to meet those expectations.
Run It Right
When you run a training course, you must be serious about what you are doing. Having set beginning and end times as well as lunch breaks is essential to building a sense of professionalism in the class. Once again, you are setting the standards that many of these students will emulate. Being late to class, having extended lunches or running late is simply unacceptable. A phrase I consistently live by is, “If you are five minutes early, then you are ten minutes late.” Instructors need to be in the class long before the first student arrives. This not only sets a good example, but it also allows the instructor time to get everything set up for the class. It can also prove to be a very useful time to get your head in the game. While some will just “wing it,” you will be better served by taking time to review the curriculum and revisit your game plan to get it covered.
Follow Up
Take time to follow up with your students when possible. More importantly, make yourself available for questions after your students move out into the training field. You can be an exceptional resource for them in dealing with challenging students and situations. By offering this assistance, you once again put yourself at a level of professionalism that can be rare in today’s world. More importantly, you could end up helping an instructor teach a student that may have never succeeded without you.
What you say as an instructor matters. While you may think it is an off-the-cuff remark, people will remember it. The standards that instructors are held to are much higher than anyone, and rightly so. The consequences for poor instruction can cost someone their life. Be thoughtful and humble about your techniques. Always remember that a student might be called on to fight for their life with your training. This should never be forgotten.
Last but not least is safety. This is what I do. I have a chart with the safety rules that I go over when I start the class. I have the students repeat the rules several times. These are the rules I use:
1. All guns are always loaded. Act accordingly with them.
2. Never let the muzzle cover (point at) anything which you are not willing to destroy
3. Keep your finger OFF the trigger and out of the trigger guard until ready to shoot
4. Always know your target and beyond
I talk about those rules a little. I explain that rule 1 is the most important. The other 3 rules are in support of rule 1:
“Why do you keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot?” “Because rule 1.”
“Why do you keep rule 2?” “Because of rule 1.”
Then randomly through the class I “quiz” students on the rules. I make sure that during that class they know, and follow, all 4 rules. Some instructors add rules to this. I do not. I want to keep it as simple as possible so they can actually remember and apply these rules. I have certain policies that I emphasize. Use the proper ammo. Maintain your guns. Never shoot and drink. Use eye and ear protection always. These are some of the policies I use, and some can be linked to the safety rules. “Always keep your weapon pointed downrange because of what rule?...”
“Rule 1 and 4.”
To help them to understand the seriousness of the rules I give what I call the “3 Strikes plus.” I will give you 3 infractions of the rules, after the 3rd you’re out of the class. The plus is up to the range safety officer or instructor. If I deem your violation to be of such serious disregard or negligence, you may be asked to leave right away without discussion. Generally, rules 2 and 3 are the ones that are broken, which of course breaks rule 1. If I see someone breaking a rule with total disregard for their or their fellow students, I will expel. I’m not a jerk about it, and I’m not crazy strict, but sometimes you see people who are adults, and I know they know better, being stupid and dangerous. In my time of instructing, I’ve only ousted two people for not being safe. Only a few more have received 2 strikes, and many have received 1 strike. Of the 2 expelled, 1 thought they knew it all and the other just didn’t care. I was actually caught once breaking rule 3. In my defense I had been handed a gun unsafely and was trying to manipulate it to be safe.
I try to inject as much humor as I can into the class. I’m serious when it is serious but having a professional humor puts people at ease and makes them want to stay.
Being an instructor of something that enables others to take care of themselves is very fulfilling.
If you're interested in becoming an instructor contact the NRA. They have a very thorough training program for instructors.

Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn

Complacency Kills!

 This is a past post (yes, I'm THAT lazy).  But I wanted to remind you that being armed does not mean you are safe.  It does not mean you will not be attacked.  It only means you have a means of defense.  Being complacent is a state of mind.  Maybe it's arrogance.  Maybe it's over confidence.  But it's always, always foolish.  Complacency kills!  

From a 7/30/2018 post

At approximately 6:30 pm on May 25, 1983, Schaufelberger was assassinated on the grounds of the Central American University in San Salvador.
Lieutenant Commander Schaufelberger was picking up his girlfriend and had established a predictable pattern. Although his vehicle was armored, the air-conditioning was not functional, and he had removed the driver’s side window. There was speculation that the A/C had been sabotaged. As he waited in his car for his girlfriend, three men exited a Volkswagen Microbus and approached his car. One stopped his girlfriend from approaching, one established security for the ambush, and one ran to the driver’s side window. He then shot Schaufelberger in the head four times with a revolver, killing him instantly. The assassination team then got back in their VW and left. RIP Lieutenant Commander Schaufelberger.
The victims of the 2012 Aurora Theater shooting were attending a screening of a highly-anticipated action film at an upscale suburban mall. The victims of the 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino were gunned down while attending a work-related Christmas luncheon. In September 2017, congregants in Antioch, TN, found themselves under fire while leaving a church service. In November 2017, eight people enjoying a beautiful fall day on a well-traveled public bike path in New York City were murdered by an Islamic terrorist who ran them over with a truck.
Complacency kills.
Statistically speaking, the majority of concealed carriers will never need to display, much less discharge, their defensive firearms. That is a good thing. This is as it should be. What is not good is how often knowledge of this leads many to complacency. The normalcy bias whispers how uncomfortable concealed carry can be; how we have to change our clothes or actions to prevent printing; how foolishly paranoid we might feel, carrying at mundane events or performing simple chores.
Here are some common sayings:
"I stay out of bad neighborhoods and don't associate with criminals. I'll be fine." "I'm just making a quick stop, I'll be back in five minutes." "I've been there a hundred times, and nothing's ever happened." We get complacent.

In November 2017 there was another senseless act of murder, but with a slightly different twist. In Thornton, CO, a man walked into a Wal-Mart and, by present accounts, randomly gunned down three shoppers in close proximity, then abruptly fled. It soon came to light that many patrons – some of whom were undoubtedly "just making a quick, five-minute stop" – that drew their own firearms at the sound of the gunshots, prepared to defend themselves and others. No one knows if that is the reason the attacker fled, but I imagine those that were armed were grateful.
Don’t be complacent.
I had a track coach in Junior High who used to have us run two miles as a warm-up before practice. We did not run on the track, but around the whole property where the stadium was, on the fence line. He used to tell us, “I know when you’re way at the far corner you’ll be tempted to cut across making your run a little easier. I can’t see you over there but I know you will be tempted. Don’t do it. It’s a little thing, but don’t do it.” I don’t think I can remember any of us cutting our run down in any form.
This is my plea to you. Carry always. Don’t get complacent. Be alert. Have situational awareness. When you are tempted to be lax or not carry or you think “Nothing has ever happened at this place,” don’t get complacent.
I work on a federal installation. We have been in the same Force Protection for a few years now. It would be easy to get lax, to not be vigilant or thorough. That’s when the unthinkable happens.
Be vigilant. Fight complacency. It kills.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn