Ask the NABA Network

ASK THE NABA NETWORK Elijah Shaw asked the Network:

You have a long-time client who does not take no for an answer when it comes to holiday gifts for their entire staff. Knowing your profession, their assistant asks you to choose between 1 of 2 gifts:

1. Twelve, 2 hours lessons of the martial arts of your choice with a top-ranked instructor. Or 2. 1-year free membership at a nice firearm range that includes 6 private sessions with a notable instructor.

Which do you choose, and why?

Option 1 Responders

Alan Cain

1. Because I work and live in the United Kingdom.

Dale June

I would go for the martial arts - though it would be too expensive - My wing chun instructor charges $500.00 for one hour of personal training - --- but I never took private lessons! I know several other just as good sifus who are a lot cheaper.

Ken Haase

Martial arts, because it will help you in varied ways, physical conditioning, mental and physical preparedness, defensive tactics and discipline. You'll use fist to cuffs techniques in this job a lot more than you'll use your firearm.

Jason Poston

Option one. For the obvious, that the ability to carry firearms is often limited, plus it’s easier to find a range to train on your own. Martial arts can be more useful and finding an instructor at that level on your own may be much more difficult.

Vincent Van Sciver

Martial arts instruction for sure. It not only teaches close-quarters self-defense, but stress management techniques and possibly help manage do-or-don’t strategies. Going hands on may not even be necessary.

Ray Buford

1. Contrary to popular belief, EP is a thinking person’s game. Knowing a martial art can be both a hard tool and soft tool. Even though the P will pay, the return is priceless.

Devon Taitt

I’m going with option two. I’ve been in the martial arts all my life starting at age 4. But I often neglect consistent firearms training and shy away from most courses because of the price. I already have in mind the instructor I would want private training from. I’m carrying a gun on all the details I’m working, so it’s just as important as my hand to hand training.

Kevin Jenkins

I would choose firearms training because I already have several years of Close Quarter Combat training.

Jim Garrett

Option 2. After going to some classes it is not difficult to practice what you learned firearms wise at the range. However, martial arts instruction takes continuous learning, critique, and class time.

Dudley Green

I would take # 2 I'm a firm believer in martial arts as I have been an instructor for many years and have trained many professionals from various law enforcement areas. I think it's very important to keep those skills sharp. However, it’s imperative if you’re going to be travelling with a client and you may come under live fire. Your firearm skillset would be very crucial. So, depending on what level of security your client needs both are valuable but when under pressure a highly trained operative should be skilled to deal with deadly force of either kind. Unfortunately, the world we live in doesn't give the luxury to not be prepared. I always prepare for the worst case scenario and I like to be as ready as I possibly can to deal with a threat with the appropriate response.

Neither

Wayne Perry

I'd ask him respectfully if this gift can be donated to a victim of domestic violence either directly or through a non-profit org.

Pierre Martin

Neither!. I would prefer to use the money to learn a foreign language.

Bryce Potvin

The answer should be based on a self-assessment of what you need to work on.

Dudley Green

Very interesting question and post ok let me share a little from personal experience here.

If the greatest threat to your Principal is their pre-existing health conditions, then use this training gift opportunity to show your level of professionalism and dedication to keeping the P safe by recommending an advance medical emergency training. My guess is it will be accepted and you will be on that detail for a long time if you are thinking more of your principals benefit with the training gifts.

Remember no law says you can't defend yourself with the riffle or weapons of your attacker but to accomplish this confidently and proficiently you must be well trained in weapons handling even if you are living in a country where you aren't legally allowed to carry firearms.

I always believe it's a safe position to assume that these training gifts offered by the principals are a disguised method they deploy for reassuring themselves of their protective details competence and readiness to keep them safe.

Meaning if they are offering me weapons and martial arts training it means they see the need based on their fears which is why I am there.