Those of us who take gun ownership and self defense seriously train very hard for the potential moment in time when life and all that is held dear hangs tenuously in the balance. Fortunately, many of us who prepare for this moment will never be faced with an actual test. Most of those who do face and pass this ultimate test will rarely be forced to have a repeat. Because so much is at stake, it is very important to prepare mentally and understand what you might go through. Doing so will soften the shock and leave you more capable as the after events unfold.
One of the most important parts of police and military training is receiving numerous “stress inoculations.” These are often best created through scenario/force on force simulation where the trainee’s performance is evaluated while under time and pressure. Successful completion of this training unquestionably helps and strengthens performance during real life incidents.
I want to introduce you to Jeff Dykehouse and encourage you to read his multi part story about the night he was forced to shoot a home invader in Grand Rapids, MI. The open way he shares his experience really resonated with me and I appreciate his willingness to offer the intimate details of his personal moment of truth. Fortunately, Mr. Dykehouse prevailed and has gone onto continued success in life. I hope that his story is highly beneficial to you and strengthens your mindset.
Great article and account by Dykehouse.
Jon,
Thanks for brining this one forward, I would not have seen it otherwise. I am glad everything worked out for the good guy this time, appears he made a few smart moves before the incident. The point you make about training is well taken, I did not pick up from the article (and I may have missed it, apologies if it was stated) if the victim had attended any firearms training. And if so, what was it? I am repeatedly underwhelmed at the lack of training that our CCW holders have after the licensing process. I use them as a measure since the chances of the guy who is “switched on” has a CCW is fairly certain. Unfortunately the reverse is not true, a lot of CCW holders are just that…they have the permit and that is all. The next category, the non-CCW homeowner that has a gun. The chances of formal defensive training in their case is probably even less. Low light techniques, shooting until the threat is no longer a threat (one could argue that this was the case in the article, but I dont assess that the shooter made a conscious determination of it) etc etc. I am NOT Monday morning quarterbacking the man in the ring, he obviously did everything as he should have. This story (from my perspective)drives home that we revert back to our training. We will not rise to the occasion during a crisis. Might we get lucky? Sure. But I would not count on it. Recommend that the citizen does everything they can to ensure that level of training they will revert to is adequate enough to win the fight.