Tuesday, 8 December 2015, was the first day of KIA impending history in two
parts. First, Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet (top picture, center), soon to be KIA
Black Belt #64, completed day one of his Black Belt test. His smile offers a
stark contrast to his tattered gi and sweaty head—a common visual after such
an ordeal, as the attending Black Belts will concur. They are, from left to
right, Mike “Shooter” Benedict (2nd Dan KIA Black Belt #62), James “Psycho”
Griffin (1st Dan KIA Black Belt #60), Chris “Growler” Grau (4th Dan KIA Black
Belt #36 and web master for Kiado-Ryu.com); and Kim “Cultivator” Thomas (4th
Dan KIA Black Belt #63).
Self-defense demands awareness, and make no mistake about it, the world is
under assault from radical Islamic terrorists and the decent people in the
world must be aware and take positive action to thwart terrorist activity and
prevent the loss of life. The incidents in Paris and San Bernardino of late
are just two of the latest examples.
Therefore, if you See Something, Say Something, meaning something
suspicious. Forget about being politically correct. This is no time to be
concerned about hurting people’s feelings. Call local law enforcement if you
have any concerns or worries. The United States Department of Homeland
Security encourages such action. Contact numbers and links follow. Keep them
handy, be vigilant, and use them if necessary.
General Douglas MacArthur was one of America’s greatest military commanders.
As all great warriors, his words are a treasure trove of inspiration and
power. Following are four of MacArthur’s famous quotations.
There is no security in life. There is only opportunity.
Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.
No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.
Following is great advice on dealing with a terrorist attack from former Navy
Seal, Brandon Webb, and Army Ranger, Jack Murphy, authors of
The Isis Solution.
Information courtesy of an interview with Brandon Webb and Jack Murphy with
host Megyn Kelly on the FOX News network.
How to survive a terrorist attack
RUN for COVER. “Get off the X” as they say in the Special Ops community.
The “X” is the Point of Impact. Get away from there and create DISTANCE.
Make a DECISION. Do not just sit there.
Usually gunman are inexperienced. Often they don’t know how to change their
magazines efficiently. Listen for the lull in fire, then run and create
that space, which is very important. The odds are heavily in your favor if
you run. Terrorists are usually amateurs, not very well trained, they’re
just out there free-lancing doing their own thing, and their odds of
actually hitting you with un-aimed fire is pretty low. The odds of hitting
a moving target are tremendously small. It’s very challenging for a sniper
to hit a moving target, let alone an amateur.
If you have no other option when confronted with a terrorist, you have to
fight. Grab the barrel of the gun, get out of the way. If you can’t or
choose not to carry a firearm, consider a high lumen flash light which will
flash blind someone and create enough distance to get away.
Surviving a grenade. Grenades tend to explode upward with fragmentation
going upward in a “V” pattern generally from chest level up. Therefore, get
low and roll away if possible.
Making any decision is better than making no decision. Run left, run right,
run forward, run back, run in zig-zag pattern but DON’T FREEZE UP.
Mentally rehearse. See yourself in a particular situation and how you would
successfully react to it given the info above. Close your eyes and imagine
yourselves in a given scenario. Rehearse it a few times so you’ve already
practiced in your mind.
When getting behind cover, get behind something that is solid and which a
bullet will not penetrate, i.e., trash cans do not make good cover.
Kim “Cultivator” Thomas and Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet strike a pose in
solidarity as their date with KIA history is set—15 December 2015, Tuesday.
And what is the historical significance? Mr. Thomas will be completing the
requirements for his fifth dan Black Belt, an accomplishment earning the title
“Master” in the Karate Institute of America system, a feat never before
attained in the KIA’s 36 year history.
The second part of the historical evening will witness Mr. Ligtvoet becoming
the sixty-fourth Black Belt of the Kiado-Ryu. Interestingly, the sixty-third
Black Belt was Kim Thomas, who earned his first dan on 17 July 2007—eight
years ago!
