Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Defensive Readiness Scale - Where do you rank?

I'm sure others that have come before me have their own versions of this, but here's a handy 1-5 scale I made up that will help you honestly evaluate where you're at when it comes to your readiness to defend yourself and/or others against violence, and what you can do to improve.

1) Fuzzball (30%)- The lowly Fuzzball is completely oblivious and defenseless. They are the ideal victims of crime and violence. They're easy to identify, self-absorbed, soft, walking around in little bubbles, with no situational awareness, no defensive skills or weapons. Fuzzballs live in a state of denial about the realities of life. They are so turned off by the thought of violence, that they've refused to ever address it as something worthy of considering. Once a Fuzzball has been robbed or attacked, their Fuzzball bubble has been burst and they can never be a Fuzzball again. Fuzzballs are precious in their own way, and having a decent percentage of Fuzzballs in your country means you live in an advanced, 1st world, civilized, society. (For instance, I would say there is a much higher percentage of Fuzzballs in Norway than in Sudan or Cambodia)However, I would prefer my friends and family to not be Fuzzballs, and take at least a little responsibility for their own safety.

2) Jackrabbit (30%)- I grew up around jackrabbits and have great respect for the creatures. They're pretty common to see but difficult to catch... but once you've caught one, you've caught it. A 'jackrabbit' on the defensive readiness scale is the kind of person who really doesn't pose a threat of harm to a violent attacker, but their increased speed and awareness makes them harder to victimize. A jackrabbit has their cranium dislodged from their posterior more often than the fuzzball, a more developed 'spider sense' to detect potential danger, and some basic skills in escape and evasion. Their best skill is by far avoidance, as in keeping themselves clear of higher-risk environments and situations. A jackrabbit is usually (90% of the time) unarmed, and their biggest liability is zero fighting skills. A small percentage of jackrabbits even buy guns and carry them, but they're still jackrabbits. A blunt object, knife, or even gun in their hands is completely useless as they have no skills or practice. Running and evading is what they do best. A jackrabbit has a longer life expectancy than the common fuzzball in an environment with predators. A jackrabbit will give a determined criminal a workout, and some fingernail scratches... if they're caught.

3) Wrong Victim (20%)- "Wow, they sure did choose the wrong victim..." A 'Wrong Victim' is someone a criminal may perceive as a fuzzball or jackrabbit, but they will be taught a harsh lesson when they discover that particular 'rabbit' can bite! A Wrong Victim is a an upgraded jackrabbit, that can and will fight when put to the test. A Wrong Victim will not always 'win', a violent encounter, but they have a fighting chance because they fight back, and are willing to counter violence with violence. The Wrong Victim has the ability to flip a mental switch from defense to offense when they or their family is attacked. A Wrong Victim usually doesn't have much training or experience in regards to violence, but they have the right mindset and heart, the ability to improvise, and usually have at least thought through the 'what if' scenarios in their heads. They have the potential to survive not just through escaping, but also by overcoming or winning. This person doesn't assume the fetal position when trapped; instead they throw their whole being into the fight and they do their best with whatever skills and tools they have at the moment. A Wrong Victim is armed sometimes (say 50% of the time) with tools like a gun, knife, taser, or basic martial arts training, etc... and all the time with their hearts.

4) All-American (17%)- The All-American is your 'Average Joe Hero'. This is a confident, competent individual that possesses all the qualities of the Wrong Victim, PLUS the added benefits of additional experience, training, skills (software), and hardware. The All-American can take many forms. They are the strong and self-reliant: cowboy, cop, farmer, fireman, athlete, serviceman or woman, hunter, martial artist, etc... They are not only situationally aware, ready and able to fight back, but they also are the ones that come running to help others. They don't usually consider themselves heroes, but they prove to be when put to the test. All-Americans have a level of comfort and proficiency in at least one 'violent art' including empty-handed fighting skills. They usually have at least a solid sharp knife on them 90+% of the time, and are familiar and comfortable around firearms. They don't wear these skills on their sleeves, and are friendly and humble (not prone to boast or brag), but their skills are there under the surface and ready if needed. Many were brought up hunting or shooting, or picked up skills with handguns, rifles, or shotguns as an adult, and they usually have multiple well-cared-for guns in either in their home, car, or on their person. All-Americans were the ones that said "Let's Roll!" and fought back on United Flight 93. All-Americans are high character individuals that you can trust and want on your side in a pinch. An All-American is an asset to their community and country, and something we should all aspire to.

5) Jedi Guardian (3%)- A Jedi Guardian is a modern-day superhero. Not everyone is capable at reaching this level even if they want to. Part of this is born, but most is developed. The Jedi Guardian has applied themselves quietly, passionately, and diligently to mastering one or more 'violent arts'. They have gone above and beyond the All-American status. Skill level-wise, the Jedi Guardian would be like a top-tier SWAT agent or Secret Service instead of the average beat cop, a Special Forces Green Beret instead of an Infantryman, or a civilian that's a master martial artist or competitive practical shooter instead of a hobbyist or enthusiast. An average criminal would be completely overwhelmed and quickly defeated when confronted by a Jedi Guardian. They not only carry the skill set, but the somber responsibility to weild their power only when it serves a valiant purpose. They enjoy the discipline and relish the journey of improving their skills and never feel like they've 'arrived' at their destination. Their weapons of choice are like extensions of their own bodies and can be employed with mind-boggling speed and precision. They train, train some more, and keep training for violence, but in their hearts they would love to live in a world without violence. Until that day comes, they have made a conscious decision to stand guard against evil, and to stack the odds as highly in their favor as possible to defeat evil when it crosses their path.   

HYBRIDS

Of course there are people that are strange and unfortunate combinations of these 5 descriptions, like:

The Wannabe or 'Mall Ninja'- Who possesses the tools and equipment of the Jedi Guardian, but has the skills and brains of a Fuzzball.
The Delusional or 'Gamer'- A Fuzzball who has convinced themselves they are not a Fuzzball by mastering violent computer, role-playing, or video games.
The Martyr- The heart and mind of the All-American with the tools and skills of a Jackrabbit. Or the true All-American who encounters an evil Sith Lord (the dark equivalent of the Jedi, possessing superior skills and tools).

Where do you put yourself on this 1-5 scale? What are you going to do to improve your ranking? How would you score your spouse or other family members?

2 comments:

Luke said...

I'd say I'm somewhere between a Wrong Victim and an All American. I know that I am always prepared and aware of my situation. I'm just not sure you can truly claim to be in category 4 until you know how you personally react to violent conflict. Just my .02

clintfiore said...

Luke, next time we hang out I'll punch you in the face so we'll know for sure where you rank. =)