Author Archives: JD

Where is Your Stuff?

When we teach classes on self defense or preparedness, guys frequently show us photos of their mountains of food, guns, and ammo.  It’s frequently a room stocked with cartons of food, stacks of ammo, and a safe full of guns.  They then proudly say “I’ve been prepping, I’m ready”.  I burst their bubble by askingContinue reading “Where is Your Stuff?”

Freedom Is Essential Business

“You, my Brothers and Sisters, Were called to be free” Galatians 5:13a As the nation struggles against the Coronavirus and COVID-19, we are told that we must only conduct “essential business”.  Each Governor has given a different definition of what they consider to be “essential business”, and there are criminal penalties for being outside ofContinue reading “Freedom Is Essential Business”

When Should I Be Ready?

In the self-defense and preparedness community, you always hear discussions about all of the things people have prepared and “ready”, but how much of that can be put into immediate practice? What sort of readiness should we maintain on a daily basis? As we frequently do on this site, let’s consult life’s ultimate tactical preparednessContinue reading “When Should I Be Ready?”

BattleBoard Scout

As you know, if you’ve read any of my other posts, I’m a firm believer in keeping paper maps handy for emergencies, and for tactical operations, the ability to “battle-track” on a paper map overlay is crucial. Just before Christmas, I became aware of the BattleBoard Scout, available at BattleBoard.us. It’s a small day-planner sizedContinue reading “BattleBoard Scout”

Are You A Good Shepherd?

Shepherds protect those entrusted to their protection.   In the film “American Sniper”, Chris Kyle’s father describes the three types of people in the world: the sheep, the wolves who prey on the sheep, and the sheep dogs who fight the wolves and protect the sheep.  That story has spawned a generation of protectors whoContinue reading “Are You A Good Shepherd?”

Should I Learn Ground Fighting?

First, let’s dispel the notion of “Ground Fighting”.  In real life self-defense, you don’t want to fight on the ground, ever.  Fights do end up on the ground, but this isn’t the UFC are you aren’t going for submission. What you really need to learn is “Ground Survival”, and it’s very different from “Ground Fighting”.Continue reading “Should I Learn Ground Fighting?”

How Much Training Do I Need?

The answer to this common question is simple: MORE. No matter the skill, every physical skill needs practice or the skill will deteriorate over time. This axiom is true whether you are talking about martial arts, gun handling skills, or carpentry. Don’t take my word on it…Let’s ask Bruce Lee: “I fear not the manContinue reading “How Much Training Do I Need?”

Know Your Surroundings

An important part of personal safety and tactical awareness is understanding your surroundings and how to find help or refuge in an emergency. That’s our topic today. What does the Ultimate Tactical Manual (The Bible) say about it? Before Joshua led his people over the River Jordan, he sent out a recon team, telling them:Continue reading “Know Your Surroundings”

Guarding Your Information

Our modern social media landscape has convinced us all to share every small detail of our lives with people we haven’t spoken to in person in years. Think about the implications of that. Samuel Culper, of the outstanding website Forward Observer, has this to say about Social Media: “We should farm data from it, butContinue reading “Guarding Your Information”

Mindset – Should I Train In Unarmed Self Defense?

In this modern era of “Shall-Issue” Concealed Carry Licenses, a common question that arises is, should I train in unarmed self defense? The answer is a resounding yes for a few reasons: You can’t carry a gun or a knife everywhere, even with a permit. Not every threat justifies the immediate use of deadly force.Continue reading “Mindset – Should I Train In Unarmed Self Defense?”

Having What You Need, When You Need It

David asked Ahimelek, “Don’t you have a spear or a sword here? I haven’t brought my sword or any other weapon, because the King’s mission was urgent” 1 Samuel 21:8 Have you ever needed something and not had it? Gotten to a meeting and realized you left your notes or your laptop at home? TheContinue reading “Having What You Need, When You Need It”

Should I Train to Fight With A Knife?

This question comes up often in the current climate of concealed firearm permits…Should I train to fight with a knife, since guns are so common? The answer is a resounding yes, for a few reasons. Let’s discuss why first, then I’ll give some practical exercises and resources. Reasons to train with a knife: There areContinue reading “Should I Train to Fight With A Knife?”

The Importance of Outdoor Skills

“…Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms, and shade trees to make temporary shelters…” Nehemiah 8:15b If you were stranded in woods and had to build a shelter, could you? Could you build a fire? Just a couple of generations ago, everyContinue reading “The Importance of Outdoor Skills”

Solo Training During Quarantine

Maintaining your self-defense skills is important at all times, and it’s critical during the current Stay-At-Home Order situation. Police departments have advised that they are limiting services and avoiding non-essential public contact, so you are truly on your own. Training without a partner can be just as effective as training with a partner. When weContinue reading “Solo Training During Quarantine”

Surrendering Freedom

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 Paul wrote those words just under 2,000 years ago, and today, as I sit at home because the government has ordered us all to, they are equallyContinue reading “Surrendering Freedom”

On Being Ready – Nehemiah

Nehemiah is one of my favorite characters and one of the first people to live a tactical/preparedness lifestyle. He was appointed as the governor of Jerusalem and was sent to rebuild it by the King. There was just one problem though….Jerusalem was surrounded by people who didn’t want to see it rebuilt. Does that soundContinue reading “On Being Ready – Nehemiah”

Having a Team

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves, a cord of three strands is not easily broken” – Ecclesiates 4:12 Many people in the preparedness and tactical training community train to defend themselves as a single entity in a Without Rule of Law (WROL) situation, such as a disaster, rioting, or emergency. While thatContinue reading “Having a Team”

Adapting Forms Training to Self Defense

Many proponents of so-called “real-world self-defense” downplay the value of traditional forms training, saying that it’s outdated or “too rigid” to be used for self defense. I say that depends on how you train. Now, if you go to a McDojo and everyone learns forms just because it’s needed to advance to the next level,Continue reading “Adapting Forms Training to Self Defense”

Preparation Wisdom from Proverbs

In the current environment of social distancing, closed restaurants, and quarantines, we are facing shortages everywhere and unprepared people are panicking. If they had followed simple wisdom that has been around for thousands of years, they would be calm. The wise store up food & olive oil, but the fool gulps theirs down. -Proverbs 21:20Continue reading “Preparation Wisdom from Proverbs”

Martial Arts Weapons & Self Defense

I frequently get asked, “Can martial arts weapons be used for self defense?” The answer is both yes and no, and there are some caveats to consider before launching into a program. First, understand that most schools that teach weapons are teaching things that look great in TOURNAMENTS to WIN MEDALS, not self defense. EvenContinue reading “Martial Arts Weapons & Self Defense”

Awareness Vs. Panic

In our current environment regarding the CoronaVirus, people are generally at one of two extremes. First, there are people buying into the media’s abject panic. On the other hand, there are people at the extreme other end, saying this is nothing to worry about and that to say otherwise is “fear-mongering”. What should we do?Continue reading “Awareness Vs. Panic”

Adapting One Step Sparring for Realistic Self-Defense

One-Step Sparring, or Il Soo Sik in Korean martial arts, is a common training segment for all martial arts. It incorporates a pre-planned defense against a punch, usually from a formal ready stance. Many people say it’s outdated and no longer relevant to real-world self defense. If you only train it from a straight punchContinue reading “Adapting One Step Sparring for Realistic Self-Defense”

Being Ready – Nehemiah

When the Jews returned to Jerusalem with Nehemiah, they were returning to a destroyed city, completely surrounded by enemies. The lessons taught in the Book of Nehemiah are just as valid today in either a Without Rule of Law (WROL) situation, or even in everyday life. Nehemiah 4:23 says “Neither I, nor my brothers, norContinue reading “Being Ready – Nehemiah”

The Battle of the Valley of Berakah

In 2 Chronicles 20, we are told the tale of the Battle of the Berakah Valley. King Jehoshaphat was warned by his spies that a vast army from three different nations was advancing. The King immediately sent out recon teams to keep watch and determine the enemy’s avenue of approach. The King sought guidance fromContinue reading “The Battle of the Valley of Berakah”

Why Do They Still Teach Wrist Grab Defense?

A common question I hear is why do traditional martial arts schools teach wrist grab defenses? Is there some epidemic of bad guys running up and grabbing people by the wrist? Is there any value at all in modern self defense to learning wrist grabs? The answer is a resounding YES. Here’s why: if I’mContinue reading “Why Do They Still Teach Wrist Grab Defense?”

Can Traditional Martial Arts Help?

There are a lot of people who say that Traditional Martial Arts are too outdated to be useful for self defense. That’s both true and untrue… It’s all in how you train and what you do AFTER CLASS. For example, if you always practice self defense techniques from some formal stance and with pre-determined steps,Continue reading “Can Traditional Martial Arts Help?”

What is Tactical Wisdom?

This is a site where we discuss preparedness, self-defense, tactical ideas & training, and gear. It’s NOT a cool-guy, shoot-em-up, unrealistic site. Here, we will discuss real world applications and what true preparation means…. Skills, not just the coolest guns and gadgets. All the coolest gear in the world won’t help you if you getContinue reading “What is Tactical Wisdom?”