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Those of you who’ve been reading this page for a while may recall the philosophy of Violence First.

Isaac Asimov famously said, “Violence is the last resort of the incompetent.”

A far wiser Jerry Pournelle responded, “Correct, the competent use it before it’s the last resort.”

The classic example is, if Hitler’s intent had been properly interpreted in say, 1934 (there were plenty of signs), a properly placed bullet would have prevented the Holocaust, and potentially defused WWII to several smaller, regional conflicts with lower death tolls.

If violence is the solution, it should be used quickly and effectively.

One would think the military would have this well under control, but such is not the case.

A standard part of military training is gas mask/other protective gear, and a test with tear gas.  The way this is supposed to work (and did for me) is you are taught how to use the protective ensemble, then gear up, step into a tent with tear gas canisters sizzling away, remove your mask, feel the burn of the gas, run outside to fresh air. This demonstrates that your mask works.  Later fittings (we upgraded from M17 series to MCU series and M40 masks, depending on unit) involved banana oil (very pungent and will get through any leak), and a once a year size and fit check.  Every three to four years, we’d don the gear, step into a tent full of gas, and be assured it fit and was working. Did anyone doubt this and want to take off their mask to prove it? No. Done.

However, there are certain sadistic perverts in training units who choose this as an opportunity to abuse helpless recruits. Not only remove the mask, but then recite some gay song, do jumping jacks, or otherwise achieve a state where recruits are puking their guts out from exposure.

It’s difficult for recruits to address this, as they haven’t been taught controlled aggression. In fact, they’ve been taught to be obedient even to self-destructive orders that achieve no additional benefit.  This needs to stop.

The proper response upon encountering a BDSM freak who orders this should be to reverse the dynamic. The trainees should swarm the pervert, rip off his mask, and hold his face in close proximity to the smoldering canister of orthochlorobenzal-malononitrile until HE is puking his guts out, while the masks keep them safe. They will see up close that the protective mask works, and the effects of tear gas on the hostile, while achieving dynamic control of the situation, which is the correct attitude and response. This could even be part of the test and training, assuming volunteers can be found for the S&M role.

Similarly, but even more incorrect is pepper spray training for detention and prison control.

The “training” is to douse you with OC spray, and have you perform a takedown on another instructor, so you can see how effective it is, and so you will be reluctant to use it unless necessary, and that you will still be able to perform a takedown under these conditions.

This is ridiculous and pointless.

First, it is unlikely that a prisoner or detainee has access to OC spray unless someone has severely failed in their task.

Second, 10% of the population are non-responsive to OC spray. Also, why are they training you to be reluctant to use non-lethal force?

Third, if you can effect a takedown after being sprayed, it was obviously insufficiently effective.

Fourth, why, if Party A is attacking you, would you effect a takedown on Party B?

So the presentation here is, “Hold still so I can hurt you, but only a little, then you will demonstrate a meaningless response against a non-resistant training aid.”

Violence First. Do not be a victim.

Following the Violence First principle, you should immediately charge the threatening attacker, as you are inside Tuehler range. First, immobilize the threat, and I hope he values his knees more than you value his knees. Ensure the weapon cannot engage you. Second, disarm the threat, and I hope he values his fingers more than you do. Then, with your face averted, discharge the pepper spray up his nostrils until resistance stops. Ensure the engagement is terminated by using the empty canister to strike the temple.

Once he is in the hospital, possibly intubated, certainly on oxygen, you will have concrete evidence that OC spray CAN be effective when properly employed, and the trainer can certify that you will respond to a threat with immediate, effective violence to neutralize it, and you pass the certification with a triple plus beyond regular pass.

A further example is (from examples I’ve seen and heard) in Ranger School, where an element is attempting to conduct a complicated orienteering problem (One does not “navigate” on land), while being harassed and hazed loudly by a cadre member.

The first problem is that training orders are to NOT subsist off the land if you have the knowledge, but only use the pittance of food they deign to offer. So once again, the instruction is, “Allow us to hurt you but don’t interfere, and fail to respond in an effective fashion.”

This is completely wrong. Once again: Violence First.

As this is training for battle, the screaming, hazing, obstructing individual can be interpreted two ways.

The first possible interpretation is as a member of your element who has lost his mental acuity and is both hindering your process and risking discovery by the enemy, in which case the first step is to shake them firmly, and quietly advise them of this fact.

The other, more likely option is they will continue to be an interference, thus a simulation of an enemy contact.  While it would be slightly out of line to render a staff member dead, it is perfectly reasonable to simulate this by subduing the obstruction (a rifle butt to the solar plexus or groin should prove effective, if you are unfamiliar with a proper choke hold). Keep in mind the numbers are on your side.  Then immobilize the obstruction by lashing to a convenient tree, rock or other landmark. Search as you would a real prisoner, and secure any rations they have, as well as any useful information—schedules, maps, phone numbers of hot chicks, phones with porn, etc.  You will need to gag them, so carefully check their nostrils are clear.

You can then proceed with your orienteering and movement to complete the exercise, at which time you should furnish a map with the obstruction’s location clearly marked (you did do so, yes?) to demonstrate your ability to effectively neutralize a threat, maintain OPSEC and tactical stealth, to gather intel while conducting reconnaissance, and to mark locations for followup. The cadre will recognize your superior ability to the sheeplike trainees, and should immediately promote you ahead of peers for your ability to use controlled aggression to complete the mission.  If there is dispute over this, a second demonstration may be necessary. Disable the cadre, restrain, redeploy from the area to garrison, and inform the next link in the chain of command of the issue, furnishing grid coordinates. One might even offer to lead the recovery detail as a demonstration of orienteering skill.

Hopefully, the next generation of recruits will utilize the above (Which is a non-exhaustive guideline of only three examples) to bring the US military to a peak level of intelligently controlled, fast-responding, decisive action that will win all future engagements.

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