Reflection of "Real World" and Priorities

As we all know, as each year comes to a close, we get to see so many post about their "resolutions" and "new changes coming" enriching our minds with amazing, powerful and funny quotes.  If only we can keep those amazing things in all our hearts and minds to keep us going forward.  Unfortunately reality always brings us the stark reminders of what our world is capable of in both positive and horrendous negative.  In the end, we have to keep moving forward, staying as positive as we can, and constantly re-inventing ourselves.  Well at least for some of us right?

What I have seen in 2015:  

In this business you get to meet some amazing people who bring some great insight of what the world has to offer.  You also get to meet some amazing people who, without a smart phone, without the ability to copy and paste their lives away, and when given the real life or "real world" task, become lost and in need of a compass.  You see, we have built our small little company based off "real world" application.  The quote we established for our brand of "Real World, Real Time, Real Training" has been around a very long time and its been an honor to watch former students or colleagues attempt to roll with their own brand of a similar concept.  Unfortunately there is more to that brand then just words.

Trainees:  We love inspiring and educating our students as well as clients in our consultant field, but wow, to see some arrive looking for the trainer to provide all the answers, all the solutions to their current issues or to make them the best operator in the world all in one sitting...it has been a jaw dropper.

Advanced Weapons Training:  One of our tee shirt  quotes: "Making your mind the ultimate secret weapon."  It means so much to us.  It starts there no?  But in 2015 we saw many arrive with an AR-15 or sub machine gun and we found many just pulled the guns out of the box on day 1 of training.  Is this now the norm?  Is there dedication to prepping oneself to be well versed in the use a high powered weapon system by going to that smart phone or making sure the trainers back at the agency have you ready to go to take your training to the next level?  Every where you turn you now see police officers with assault rifles slung over their shoulders providing high end security.  There is a reason for it.  We never had any problem making the great operator even greater.  But one must wonder when others show up for training, are we supposed to prepare one to be an "instructor" all in one full week session with all the answers?  Do we all workout once a year?  Something to ponder about "a matter of pride", "be better at what you do", etc etc.  Get the point?

The Firearms Instructor:  What is your goal being a firearms instructor?  A status?  A title?  Something added to your resume in hopes someone will notice? As a man who one time way back in my career who was horrible with a handgun, I made sure to learn from my weakness and help others to fight their fears behind the gun.  People, it is about consistently learning, training and being better at your craft.  It is not about someone spoon feeding you a certificate of successful completion without the hard work behind the scenes.  Isn't life a lot like this: constantly striving in being better than what you were yesterday?  Just a thought.

Sound Mind/Sound Body:  Although we cannot all be amazing gifted structures, some times the best stress relief and creating the betterment of oneself to stay consistent if staying on point while helping others is so crucial in the thinking and hands on of everything.  From stimulating the mind, body and spirit, you would be surprised in what you can find. We helped others learned that one dimension of fitness training is not the total solution in "winning the fight" in the streets.  No excuse, just results is what taught others in 2015.  We are proud of that for sure.

Communications and Operations:  2015 brought some amazing projects for some amazing agencies.  I am always one ready to take on new challenges and projects.  However, I have a major issue in the "lack of communication" when it comes to getting things done.  The term "I am so busy" really raises my eyebrows when it is stated to me by people who have a hard time staying on top of one task.  But I cannot judge because I learned in 2015 that is what some people have as their challenges in life so I will commend them for it.  That being said, writing amazing active shooter operations response plan for a world known police agency was truly an honorable mission.  It was something that I was able to write and allow it to flow smoothly for the safety of the world community.  I guess what I learned here is that I care so much about the safety of our community that I could write a million of these things and could make them better every time.  The only thing is, others need to have the passion to roll up the sleeves and be excited about adding new dimension to it and giving their valuable input.  When there is one way conversation, how does a mission become successful?  In the end, I learned how much I do care even more of the safety of our civilian community.

Command, Control and In Charge?  We got to see many attend lectures, seminars, field operations of training learning how to "control the chaos", (one of our famous lines) and the end result was always a wake up call of what is needed to be in command of a major crisis.   The "real world" of training offered the true essence of what chaos and crisis can do some of the best operators in the world, a humbling experience it was but we all learned.   The summary of that is simply:  If you want to be in charge of that chaos, train to learn to "control" it and rep every time, exercise the mind and body to stay on point.

Summary of 2015:  There were many amazing moments of our 2015 year, good training days, meeting amazing people, learning from others while inspiring so many.  But we also saw the reality of the "real world" in the horrific events that took place overseas and in our beautiful country.  In the end, we do all this to help all of you as well as all of us.  Protecting our families (globally) is our goal.  It is a team effort.  It is the "real world" and we must continue into the new year with a mission of even more positivity!  Continue to make that difference and continue to make yourself better at what you do.  Do something epic every day!  

Happy New Year and Best in Health!

-Jose Medina, Team APC/Medina Tactical Dynamics