Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated. - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

SFROE (Self-[deff-off]Fense Rules of Engagement)

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

ROE or rules of engagement is a term used by the military forces that provide rules or directives defining circumstances, conditions, degree, and manner in the use of force, or actions that might be applied in certain circumstances. It is how higher authority authorizes for and/or limits the use of force and the employment of certain military capabilities such as SpecOps actions, etc.

ROE is not about how to achieve results in regard to mission requirements and goals, but will dictate what measures would be unacceptable in the tactics and strategies along with on the ground actions. 

In short, “Rules of engagement (ROE) are rules or directives to military forces (including individuals) that define the circumstances, conditions, degree, and manner in which the use of force, or actions which might be construed as provocative, may be applied.” 

Examples of ROE Card:
  • You have the right to use force to defend yourself against attacks or threats of attack.
  • Hostile fire may be returned effectively and promptly to stop a hostile attack. 
  • When U.S. Forces are attacked by unarmed hostile elements, mobs and/or rioters, U.S. Forces should us the minimum force necessary under the circumstances and proportional to the threat. 
  • You may not seize the property of others to accomplish your mission. 
  • Detention of civilians is authorized for security reasons to accomplish your mission.
  • REMINDER: The United States is not at war; threat all persons with dignity and respect; use minimum force to carry out the mission; always be prepared to act in self-defense. 
This is just an example and you will find that the ROE and ROE card vary according to missions, environments, political status and goals as well as many other factors. Here is the reason behind all this background, even you as a person who may or may not find themselves facing conflict and violence will have a set of ROE you have to live with to survive not just the encounter but the aftermath of legalities, moralities and health both mental and physical. More often than not, martial arts and karate self-defense programs fail to teach such things so that an individual can determine, know and understand the ROE involved then train, practice and apply such ROE in training programs so that when they have to apply it in reality, it has a chance of working. 

Examples of your SFROE card:
  • You shall take and make every effort to avoid conflict especially when it can lead to violence.
  • You shall have the privilege to take appropriate actions when you or others may incur grievous bodily harm of death.
  • You shall use only that force necessary to end the encounter of violence, i.e., the minimal force necessary under the law for the circumstances involved and proportional to the threat at the moment. 
  • You shall use the appropriate means necessary to protect and defend yourself against attacks or threats of attacks.
  • You shall conduct self-defense actions in compliance with all laws, ordinances and other legal requirements and within the conditions specified by any higher authority, i.e., as with military, police and other violence professions. 
  • You shall only apply that force and power necessary to ensure your safety through appropriate and disciplined use of force.
  • You shall apply self-fense only under circumstances the meet the legal criteria of self-defense.
These and many others may apply to civilian self-fense so it is incumbent upon the individual to discover and create their own rules of engagement, ergo why I use SFROE because Self-Fense (the use of offensive and defensive actions) rules of engagement apply but that extends further than most SD programs, i.e., such as the use of avoidance then deescalation until you come to a point where the physical intervention to stop grave harm or death become necessary.

Maybe, if the industry assimilates such things into their programs they can easily expand their programs to include all aspects of the Self-Fense requirements of moral social requirements, legal requirements and any other considerations dictated by the SFROE and its supporting sources.

I would also suggest that each individual take stock of why they practice and train then perform a self-analysis of the needs toward Self-fense and finally do an environmental, personal and social assessment toward the dangers that would lead to the need for self-fense. If you are taking the MA and/or Karate for the health benefits; if you are taking them for the sport; if you are taking them for the competitive goals or if you are taking it exclusively for the defensive reasons - all require some analysis and assessment because it will effect how, why, when and with whom you train and practice. In most cases developing a ROE for Self-fense is just a waste of time but if you truly have a need for Self-fense then developing that SFROE becomes critical.

I also highly recommend the study of materials on self-defense by noted professionals such as Marc MacYoung, Rory Miller and many other experienced professionals of conflict and violent professions, i.e., start with meditations on violence along with in the name of self-defense. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

“In order for any life to matter, we all have to matter.” - Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal (ret)


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