Do think you would die for what you love? Will you live for what you love?

Many people say they would die to protect the things they love, be it their country, their spouse, children, pets. There is no more noble act that a person can do than to sacrifice of themselves for others. In the Bible Jesus said “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13). As a 25+ year Coast Guard military veteran, I have ,at times, willingly put my life in danger to help others in need. I have taken a Motor Lifeboat into surf conditions that were at, or exceeded, its rated capability. Through the darkness of night, and the unforgiving waters of the Pacific Northwest, I have Piloted the Motor Lifeboat across dangerous river bars to rescue people in the water, and vessels stranded in the ocean. I have towed those vessels back to safety, through those same harbor entrances, with waves so massive that I would loose sight of the vessel we were towing, and the towline (rope) would disappear into face of the massive wave behind us, as the wave passed between the vessels. I will say, while I was frightened and under intense stress, I was doing everything I was trained to do. I was doing what I spent countless hours training for; I trained so that I could continue to live for what I love.

I was willing to die, if absolutely, but I was trying by level best to make sure my crew, the people we were saving, and I lived to see those we love again. I couldn’t have successfully completed that mission if I had only sat through a one day class, and a few hours behind the wheel of a boat. It required years of honing my skills as a boat operator, and learning how to quickly prioritize and manage microevents, to manage the entire mission.

Law abiding Americans are blessed with the legal ability to defend themselves from predators (be they the two, or four legged type), as long as they are operating within the boundaries of the law, regardless of their training level. Often times people with little training are able to prevail against attacks, relying on instincts or just getting lucky. It would most certainly be better to not have to rely on a gut reaction or chance. An anonymous navy seal has been quoted as saying “Under pressure, you don’t rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training”. So what is your level of training? Are you really prepared to be successful in a deadly force encounter? If not you may need to find some quality training. Concealed Pistol License (CPL) training is extremely valuable, and a reasonable place to start. A quality CPL trainer that is using quality materials should be able to provide a solid foundation of firearm safety, ammunition knowledge, the fundamentals of pistol shooting, pistol shooting positions, firearms law, avoiding a criminal attack, and controlling a violent confrontation, and more. Starting with CPL training if good, but there is more that a person can do, and some is relatively inexpensive.

Hopefully you never find yourself in a situation where you need to defend yourself with deadly defensive force, but having quality training can make all the difference in the outcome of such a situation. Get good training so you don’t have to die for, but can live for, what you love.

if you are interested in getting quality training contact Damian Meyer at
upfirearmstraining@protonmail.com
or by phone (541) 272-2308