In the personal protection and security industry, the ability to appropriately use force is crucial. This reliance on a blend of physical and mental skills has been a consistent feature of self-defense throughout history.
Even as technological advancements reshape our world, the significance of hard skills, or trained physical abilities, remains paramount in modern use-of-force applications. This article explores the historical development of hard skills and their enduring relevance today.
Development of Hard Skills
Hard skills comprise a wide spectrum of capabilities that enable individuals to exert force and require consistent training and ongoing improvement. They have roots in ancient civilizations where martial arts, martial sciences, and military combat techniques emerged for community protection, self-defense, and survival. Every culture has played a part in the evolution and refinement of hard skills, from the ancient Greek Pankration to Greco-Roman wrestling to Chinese martial arts like Kung Fu and Tai Chi to Brazilian Martial Arts like Brazilian Jiujitsu and Capoeira.
The historical evolution of hard skills validates their effectiveness in combat and self-defense, laying the groundwork for refinement. The formalization of these skills in military and law enforcement training programs underscores their value in maintaining community safety. Apart from physical prowess, hard skills significantly contribute to the psychological aspect of using force. Mastery of these skills requires mental toughness, such as discipline and resilience, and the ability to manage fear, stay focused under pressure, and make split-second decisions in high-stakes situations.
Further, these skills equip you with physical tools, strategies, and techniques to neutralize or de-escalate dangerous situations while fostering situational awareness to proactively identify potential threats. The psychological dimension of hard skills training instills vital mental resilience necessary for high-stress situations, fostering a calm and focused demeanor in dangerous scenarios. Mastery of these skills enables accurate threat assessment and appropriate response, minimizing potential harm.
Investing in Hard Skills
In the pursuit of learning or enhancing a skill, there are often hidden dimensions that go beyond initial considerations. Most individuals fail to explore the complete story surrounding skill development. It begins with a fundamental question: “Which skill do I aspire to learn or improve?” However, it is equally essential to identify the desired level of proficiency and understand the criteria for determining readiness to apply the skill in real-life scenarios.
Let’s examine this concept through the lens of an investment portfolio. Just like any investment, acquiring a new skill necessitates careful consideration of multiple components. In the case of physical (hard) skills such as martial arts, shooting, defensive driving, or combat medicine, formal training and specialized equipment are typically required. Consequently, a financial investment becomes a crucial aspect to be considered.
Regardless of the equipment needs, the next element to evaluate is the time investment. Before committing to the financial and time requirement, it is prudent to assess the expected returns on such investments. Similarly, learning a new language or musical instrument (soft skills) requires a four-part investment portfolio: formal training, necessary gear, financial resources, and time commitments. The formal training component can span a wide range of options, from self-teaching through books and online resources to professional, instructor-led training sessions.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you may opt for professional instruction, which can be obtained through open enrollment classes, semi-private lessons, or one-on-one personalized training. The cost of professional instruction varies based on the number of participants involved—the more individuals, the lower the cost. When choosing the professional route, it is essential to select a competent and qualified instructor. Conducting thorough research, including reading reviews and seeking unbiased referrals, can assist in making an informed decision.
Finances come into play not only when acquiring gear but also when opting for professional instruction. The instructor’s time is valuable, and depending on your skill level, your budget should be set accordingly. Entry-level participants can aim for the lower end of the price range, while intermediate or advanced levels might require a higher budget due to the complexity and advanced requirements associated with those stages. For instance, an entry-level shooter seeking to progress to the mastery level might benefit from investing in an upgraded firearm that facilitates that transition to the next performance level.
If the skill necessitates specific gear or equipment, it is advisable to explore borrowing or renting options, initially. This allows you to first test the waters and then determine whether the pursuit is genuinely aligned with your interests and goals. However, if you decide to make a purchase, consider starting with used items to keep initial expenses at a minimum.
Last but certainly not least is the aspect of time. Mastery of a skill cannot be achieved by dedicating a paltry five minutes per week; it requires consistent and significant time investments. Most fundamental skills demand a commitment of 3 to 6 hours per week, depending on the minimum training requirements. Naturally, you have the flexibility to allocate more or less time based on your availability and desired training pace.
Employing and Improving Upon Your Hard Skills
The world is comprised of two types of people: those who are trained and prepared, and those who are not. Continuous training and improvement are essential to maintaining proficiency in hard skills. Such commitment allows you to maintain a functional state of operational readiness incorporating the most recent advancements in their respective fields, adapt to evolving threats, and maintain a high level of preparedness. To address the evolving threats in our modern world, it’s crucial to continue adapting to multiple skill sets. The rise of cybercrime, for instance, has prompted the development of soft skills in areas such as digital forensics and cybersecurity. The hybrid integration of hard and soft skills provides a repository of reactive and proactive measures to combat such modern evolving and emerging threats.
The ability to utilize hard skills effectively is not a stagnant goal; it’s a continuous journey of growth, adaptation, and refinement. As the world continues to morph into an unknown future, the importance of maintaining and refining these skills cannot be overstated. Through consistent training and dedication, individuals can equip themselves with the necessary tools to confront and overcome the threats of the modern world. Beyond being a protective tool for yourself, these skills also enable you to extend your safeguarding capabilities to others, contributing to overall family and community safety. This makes the mastery of hard skills a significant factor for professional protective services personnel and concerned citizens alike.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge the tremendous effort and dedication they invested to reach that level. As master sculptor and Renaissance artist Michelangelo once said, “If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn’t seem so wonderful at all.” This sentiment from Michelangelo serves as a reminder that achieving mastery in any skill is a result of extensive hard work and perseverance, often far more challenging than it appears from the outside. Many aspire to move and perform like experts, yet very few are willing to invest the necessary time and effort to attain such proficiency.
Lastly, we come to the question of operational readiness: “How do I know when I’m truly prepared to apply the skill in real-life situations?” The answer varies depending on the nature of the skill being pursued. For instance, in the early stages of learning combat medicine, a one-day seminar may provide you with enough knowledge to apply a field dressing effectively. Acquiring fundamental medical skills doesn’t require spending years in medical school or months becoming a certified emergency medical technician. However, it is essential to grasp the basics, such as understanding how to stop bleeding and administer basic first aid.
On the other hand, if you are training with firearms and have no prior experience, a typical weekend shooting fundamentals seminar can equip you with a grasp of safety, handling, and basic marksmanship skills. However, the question remains: Are you truly prepared for a real-life gunfight? Can you trust your own skill level to safeguard your life or the lives of your loved ones? This is a deeply personal question that only you can answer. Often, as beginners progress to intermediate skill levels, they become acutely aware of the vast amount of knowledge and expertise they have yet to acquire. This realization serves as motivation to continue learning and to practice beyond their initial expectations.
Conclusion
Honed, refined, and routinely employed hard skills are critical to defending life and property in modern-day use-of-force applications. And, developing those hard skills is a continuous journey that requires persistence, dedication, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Success is achieved by those who recognize the importance of investing in their own growth and are willing to embrace both the challenges and rewards that come with mastery.
When embarking on the path of skill building, whether initial acquisition, improvement, or sustainability, it is important to consider the full scope of the endeavor. To ensure a well-rounded approach, assess your desired skill, what level of proficiency you seek, and your readiness to apply that skill in practical scenarios. Ultimately, possessing a usable skill is a testament to the investment made in learning and development.
