Combat Hard; Another Form of Prepardeness

By Jalapeno Gal77 - via APN

My Combat Hard “Handgun Combative” training experience!

Is being able to defend yourself a form of preparedness?  I believe 100% that it is.  After all, being prepared boils down to one thing, surviving in a difficult time.

I recently had the privilege of learning the first 2 training levels of the Handgun Combative Program at Combat Hard training center.  Let me tell ya folks, this is the class that you all want to take!!  My husband and I are both getting our concealed weapons permit and felt we should have some sort of training in carrying/using the hand gun. Lets face it, if you’re in a situation where you are being confronted aggressively, then chances are you may not have time to get your gun out before you’re physically attacked.  This class teaches you different techniques to defend against an attacker in an effective way to give you time to get your weapon.  Ideally though, you should always try to avoid a confrontation. This means being aware of your surroundings at all times.  Remind yourself before you get out of your car, or enter a store, to scope the area for anything suspicious.  Use your gut feeling!  If something tells you that there is something wrong, there usually is.   

We previously discussed getting the whole family involved (kids too) in Krav Maga training.  This led me to calling around to find out if my children could join us in the lessons.  In our area, we quickly learned that children are not typically welcome in Krav Maga training due to some of the graphic nature and the involvement of weapons in the training.  Please do not misunderstand me, there are some who do train children in Krav Maga.

This lead to my conversation with Steven Mosley, the Co-Owner and Director of Training at the Combat Hard Training Center.  When I called him, it was to ask about Krav Maga lessons, which led to the discussion of firearm safety and weapon defense.  He began to tell me about his new Handgun Combative training class and then invited my husband and I to participate in the first two levels.  Of course I jumped at the opportunity, who wouldn’t right?  (I will get into who wouldn’t a little later on.)

Your probably wondering what Handgun Combative training is.  So by Stevens definition, here it is….

“The main goal of the “Handgun Combatives” program is to train any novice and or experienced Martial Arts student, armed citizen, or law enforcement officer the art of fighting with a “Handgun”.  This course is specifically designed to assist students with combative skill development and use of the semi-automatic pistol as a personal defense weapon in a structured, interactive, learning environment.  Through focused drilling of the basics, students will learn the dynamic concepts of the modern combat handgun, how to fight to get to their firearm and how to “WIN” a deadly force confrontation.”  Steven Mosley

Here is what he has to say about what he believes concerning the combination of fighting skills and firearms skills:

“I have always believed that the two disciplines, Fighting and Firearms, should be trained and taught together as one.  Violent physical confrontations are up close and personal and, based on my experiences, if you carry a handgun for self-protection, you will most likely have to physically fight before actually deploying your handgun.  So after much discussion and debate, the Handgun Combatives program was born.  Society is to a point where people NEED help and support.  They need a place to go to learn valuable skills.  There are so many people out there claiming to be experts so they can make a few dollars off of you, but they do not offer quality training.  That is why I do this.  I want to offer people quality training and the support they seek to better themselves.”

There has been much controversy over combining the two skills between professional instructors, but in my opinion, it is a MUCH needed skill by all.  He presents you with situations you would not have thought of in your wildest dreams and teaches you how to defend against them in a manner that gives you the added time you need to get to your gun.  He also makes you aware of your surroundings, and how to maneuver your body to be out of harms way while your drawing your weapon.

Combat Hard teaches that while Sighted Firearms Training is a skill that is important to learn, so is point shooting and both should be mastered.  According to pointshooting.com, point shooting is:

AIMED Point Shooting or P&S is a simple, fast, and accurate method of shooting. It can be learned with little or no training, and maintained with minimal practice.
P&S is for use at Close Quarters where one’s chance of being shot and/or killed is the greatest. If that’s going to happen, there is an 80% chance that it will happen at less than 21 feet.
P&S can be used: in good light or bad, when there isn’t time to use the sights or you can’t see them clearly, when moving, and against moving targets, even aerials.

The Level 1 course took 8 hours on a Saturday, and the Level 2 course took 8 hours on a Sunday.

Day 1: Orange Band

On the first day, we learned about basic gun handling skills and we used realistic replica guns and tactical holsters to train.  All training equipment was supplied.  Some of the things covered on day 1 were;

• Historical Perspective of Handgun Combatives
• Legal Rights and Responsibilities
• Safe Gun Handling and Basic Safety Rules
• The “Warrior” Lifestyle
• Handgun Nomenclature and Firearms Terms
• Selection and Placement of Equipment
• Body Point Position
• The One-Handed Full Extension Position
• The Two-Handed Full Extension Position
• Off-line Movement and Pivot Drills
• Dealing with the Aftermath (legally)
• Recognizing a Threat from the Right Front Waist Band (RFWB) Position
• Deadly Force Reaction Drills

At the end of the day, we were given a test to make sure the information was retained.  If you pass the test, you get a certificate and Orange Band.

Day 2: Blue Band
As with day 1, all equipment was supplied that we trained with.  On day 2, we reviewed everything from day one in a timely manner.  We discussed the mindset of the attacker as well as body language and the mindset of us as a concealed carry weapon carrier. We also studied the breathing techniques that allow you to be Fast, Strong, and Smart, VS Fast, Strong, and Stupid.  Surprisingly, your breathing has a lot to do with your reactions and the outcome of the situation.  Day 2 focused on these things;

• Historical Perspective of Handgun Combatives
• Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) Lifestyle
• CCW State Laws and Permit Process
• Safe Gun Handling and Basic Safety Rules
• Overview of Different CCW Carry Methods
• Presentation of Handgun from Concealed Position
• Body Point Position
• The One-Handed Full Extension Position
• The Two-Handed Full Extension Position
• Loading and Reloading the Handgun
• Malfunction Immediate Action Drills
• Extremely Close Quarter Shooting (ECQS) Techniques
• Deadly Force Reaction Drills
• Preparation and Aftermath

On day two, one of the training skills that stuck in my mind the most was the legal aspect of what to do AFTER the confrontation is over to protect yourself from becoming arrested and charged with any number of things involved.  As we all know, now-a-days it seems to be, “Guilty until proven innocent” VS “Innocent until proven guilty.”  Knowing the laws and your rights is just as important in protecting yourself as the physical aspect of self-defense.

About Steven Mosley and his life experience to train people in these areas:

Steven Mosley has over 28 years of law enforcement work experience.  He currently serves as the Director of Training for the Combat Hard™ Training Center and continues to actively work for the federal government in a Supervisory Law Enforcement capacity.
He has been involved in firearms and defensive tactics instruction for over two decades.  Steven is a graduate of some of the top shooting schools in the United States:  Thunder Ranch, Heckler & Koch, Smith & Wesson, Offshoots, Rogers Shooting School, Glock, FLETC, FBI and NRA.
He is also certified by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) as a Law Enforcement, Arrest & Control/Defensive Tactics and Firearms Instructor.  Steven is a Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT) Instructor-Trainer in Defensive Tactics, Tactical CQC, Aircraft Countermeasures, Ground Avoidance & Ground Escape (GAGE) and Spontaneous Knife Defense.
In addition to work-related experience, Steven has over 20 years experience in martial arts and holds a first-degree black belt in Chinese Kenpo Karate, Filipino Kali and is a Senior Instructor under the British Combat Association.  Steven is also an Associate Instructor in Filipino Martial Arts & Jun Fan Gung Fu under Guro Dan Inosanto and is a certified instructor in Israeli Special Forces Krav Maga under SGT Major Nir Maman.
Steven holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Brenau University.

As you can see, he is well-trained at what he does.  Steven is located in Georgia, HOWEVER, he does travel to other states to train.  He has been to many different states already, so these courses are not out of your reach.  I would say it is worth it to give him a call and see when and if he might be in your area.  To contact Steven Mosley click here.

Earlier in this article I spoke of the mindset of some of the people I spoke with.  I would like to share a brief experience with you.  I was recently discussing these classes with a good friend of mine, and suggested to her that she take them.  She sort of blew it off and laughingly said to me, “That’s ok, if it comes down to it they can shoot me and take my stuff if they want it that bad.”  I thought to myself, “Wow!  How can someone be OK with being assaulted and killed over material objects.  Don’t they think they are worth it?”  That lead me to ask more people about their thoughts on the subject and I was SHOCKED at how many of my friends did not care to learn these skills.  The only thing I could think at that point was, what would happen to your children/family if you were killed?  So I leave you with that question and the choice is yours.  Do you think that self-defense is a form of being prepared and are you willing to go through the training to protect what is important to you to the best of your ability?  Self defense is important and I hope my experience will make you stop and think, and then take action.

Keepin It Spicy,
Jalapeño Gal