Be Careful Who’s Advice You Take

Today’s technology gives anyone the ability to claim expert status and reach an audience of millions. Some may just embellish their credentials while others will flat out lie and invent the kind of background that makes Hollywood action heroes look like Girl Scouts.

In other industries this isn’t usually life or death, but in the survival/prepping/self-defense world, it’s a game changer. For example, a politician may destroy his own reputation (Anthony Weiner) which ends his career, or a business leader may make false promises (Bernie Madoff) and cause his clients to lose their money, but a survival or self-defense instructor who teaches bad information can get their students killed.

Most of you don’t have a military background, so you understandably assume that those who do have a better working knowledge of survival or combat techniques. They very well may, but they are just as likely not to. Military personnel, including active duty and veterans, make up a very tiny percentage of the US population, but within that group, only a tiny percentage held the type of jobs that would have provided training for the type of skills you’re interested in; the vast majority of military personnel simply provide support for infantry units. Do you want to take survival advice from a cook or mechanic? (Well, there is one mechanic who can teach you a hell of a lot, but he is the exception to the rule.)

Take it a step further and consider that in any organization, you have those who excel and those who simply get by. It’s no different in the military. I can’t even begin to tell you how much remedial training I had to conduct for some of the shit bags in our unit. They certainly aren’t the kind of people you would want advice from, but unfortunately, the very fact that they did serve in the Marine Corp infantry gives people an elevated perception about them.

My point is that you shouldn’t take any advice at face value. Including mine.

The fact that I served in the Marine Corps infantry doesn’t make me any better than you or the next guy. It just means I got to get paid to learn some cool shit, but I will always consider myself a student. Everyday I learn something new—sometimes from those who’ve had even more training, but just as often from those who’ve had less training. Everyone is both a student and a teacher.

I took a few classes from a guy who I later realized depended on his resume and buzz words instead of actual skills. He would constantly brag about the “cutting edge” Israeli techniques he used and taught, but anytime I asked him to explain why these techniques were better, all he could say was “These are the most current techniques. Why would you want to use the techniques from 10 years ago?”

To put it in perspective, our biggest point of contention was about the weaver vs. isosceles shooting stance and point shooting. In regards to the shooting stance, that can go either way—it’s really a matter of personal preference. I was able to out shoot this so-called “instructor” in either stance, static or moving. But in regards to point shooting, his advice is going to get someone killed or sued. Point shooting is engaging your target without using your sights. That might be cute in the movies, but what happens when you fail to stop your attacker because you can’t hit them? Or when you hit an innocent bystander because you treated to sights like a decoration?

This guy had the credentials. He had trained law enforcement for over 20 years. He was an NRA certified instructor. Yet he was still wrong on just about everything.

Don’t take anyone’s advice as gospel just because they have a military, law enforcement, or intelligence background. Look at everything with a critical eye, ask them to explain why—not just what, and seek advice and training from multiple sources. Then practice what you learned, because what works for me may not work for you. Look for flaws and way to improve. Wash, rinse, repeat.

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