Today’s Classic feature from Tiger McKee was published on October 16, 2008.

To effectively fight with firearms requires training – instruction on fighting techniques and combative theory – and practice, the actual learning and improvement of those skills. During a firearms class, you’ll perform several repetitions of the material being taught, but the actual learning process begins after class. To apply your fighting skills under the stress of actual combat requires learning at the subconscious level, which is only reached through thousands of repetitions.

A typical fight (if there is such a thing) includes some combination of the following: target acquisition/identification, movement, communication, using cover, shooting accurately, manipulation of your weapon, and probably other skills as well. Normally the combative portion of the fight will only last a few seconds -- although there are always exceptions to this! You have a short span of time to apply your skills to end the fight. Performing these tasks, in such a compressed time frame, requires the majority of these actions to be accomplished using the subconscious mind.

The conscious mind can only focus on one thing at a time. The subconscious, according to experts, can process millions of bits of information all at the same time and is responsible for the majority of your actions. You just don’t realize it because your conscious mind isn’t thinking about them. The subconscious performs simple tasks. Imagine how many times you’ve tied your shoes. You’re thinking about getting to work on time while your hands are tying the knots. The subconscious also processes complex tasks. Think about the multitude of actions involved in driving a car. You see a car roll through a stop sign, pulling into your lane. Automatically your hands are repositioning on the steering wheel, you’re placing your foot on the brake pedal while you’re checking the mirrors to see if you can switch lanes safely. All this happens without you consciously thinking about it because you’ve been doing it for years.

Now let’s apply this to fighting with firearms. You’re in a fight and your weapon malfunctions. The conscious mind says, “malfunction,” then the subconscious takes control to clear the stoppage. You don’t have time to stop to think how to clear the malfunction; the subconscious just does it. Your conscious mind is then free to evaluate the situation, making decisions on how to end the fight, which may be avoidance and evasion, physically fighting, or a combination of several strategies.

Fighting is a mental process, and you have to be thinking, both at the conscious and subconscious levels. The various ‘parts’ of your mind must function as one. With the mind ‘thinking’ properly the body follows. The physical part is easy, once you’ve performed enough repetitions to truly learn the skills. Your weapon, barring a stoppage, will do its job. Your task is to create a seamless package consisting of the mind, body, and weapon. Then, when the attack occurs, you’re prepared to apply your skills without delay to win the fight.

— Tiger McKee