| Several years ago I had the honor of hosting and | | | | move was the punch. My move was the stinger to |
| attending a two-week tactical intensive with two high | | | | your forearm. Even though you'd like to think you've |
| profile instructors. Our training covered everything from | | | | got another move, you used your move to recoil your |
| individual stealth and camouflage, team movement, | | | | arm. It's now my move again. That is the 'Offensive |
| mental discipline and endurance, to name just a few. | | | | Mindset'." |
| Through it all our instructor, a highly accomplished | | | | The offensive mindset is one of awareness and |
| special forces operator, drilled into us a single key | | | | action. It is NOT charging in guns blazing. That is an |
| concept which I have successfully applied to paintball | | | | offensive tactic but not necessarily an offensive |
| sniper training, along with many other areas of my life. | | | | mindset. This mindset is one that keeps us one step |
| He chose one of the students to come up for a | | | | ahead of the game. It is a level of clarity and |
| demonstration. He said, "In combat, everyone has a | | | | decisiveness that moves us to the most appropriate |
| move. You've got a move. And I've got a move. | | | | and effective action. That action ranges from |
| Combat is a series of moves." He threw a light and | | | | instantaneous and unstoppable force to the discipline |
| slow punch at the student and said "What do you | | | | to lay low, stay hidden and let the threat pass for a |
| do?". Reflexively, the student raised his arm to block | | | | more opportune engagement. But the key is the |
| the punch. "My move was to punch. Your move was | | | | awareness and the choice to engage in a time and |
| to block. Now who's move is it?" Reflexively, the | | | | manner that ensures victory. The key is being fully |
| student said "Yours.". | | | | present to the moment, ready to interrupt, engage, |
| Now, think this through. How does that feel to say "It's | | | | withdraw or move. When practiced, not only do you |
| your move." It's virtually a surrender. It becomes a futile | | | | stay one step ahead of your opponents but you will |
| chess game with your move at the whim of your | | | | look at your situation and begin to read three, four and |
| opponent. Our instructor took it a step further. He | | | | five moves ahead. |
| requested that the student throw a light and slow | | | | The offensive mindset will turn your world around, |
| punch. Now follow me here. As the punch came, the | | | | from paintball sniper training to loving and protecting |
| instructor rapidly stung the student's forearm with a | | | | your family to doing what you love in your career or |
| quick little backfist. The student recoiled his hand. "Your | | | | business. |