Tactical Kali

My heart goes out to our soldiers that lost their lives today from this crazed man. Our prayers are with their family.

Many praises for the soldiers and first responders that responded quickly and gave medical care and took action to secure other buildings.  Their actions were key to limiting the number of fatalities.

GOD BLESS

I want to thank Tracy and Kymberly Campbell with double Action CHL, ( http://doubleactionchl.com/defense.php) for hosting the program for the Houston group. The location of the course was Shiloh Indoor Shooting Range. The owners were gracious in allowing us to have the course at their facility.

 The curriculum began with a lecture on dynamics of attacks, understanding human performance, examples of actual attacks and how to defend against them. The course evaluated case incidents when officers are attacked and had to fight for their gun. For those that thought they were just going to sit and be passive... well this is not the class for you. A little lecture and plenty of hands on training.

The students participated and earned everything. Such a fun group with a positive attitude.... Loved the atmosphere in teaching skills that will increase the possibility of success.

See you in Houston again soon.

 Creating a barrier

Contolling the weapon

Creating barriers

 Creating a barrier and exercising options

 Defense against a grab                                                           Knife to knife tactics

Clearing a knife

Knife guiding drills

Khife guiding drills

Clear and control drills

Wave drill for multiple attacker scenarios

Toooo happy to fend off her husband.  

Control and stunning drills

Newspaper headline reads, "New Orleans Female Police Officer Killed with Own Gun While Arresting Rape Suspect Monday, January 28,2008. A vagrant wanted for questioning in a rape overpowered a 24-year-old police officer who was trying to handcuff him, and then shot her to death with her own weapon Monday, police said."

Another headline reads, "Minnesota officer reportedly killed with own gun September 09, 2009. Veteran North St. Paul police officer Richard Crittenden apparently was shot dead with his own gun during a violent struggle with a man who lunged at his estranged wife and the slain officer with aburning towel or rag."

Approximately 40% of all officers who are assaulted or killed with handguns are attacked with their own firearms. Attempts to take an officer's weapon by a suspect are on the rise with the increase in assaults and violence perpetuated against law enforcement officers.

Tactical Kali and Tactical Arts Academy in conjunction with the Texas Police Association hosted a Weapon Retention/Disarming and Improvised Weaponry Class on October 4, 2009. It began with a lecture and analysis of cases when officers fight for their weapon and are disarmed. The dynamics of assaults were analyzed. During weapon retention confrontations many things come into play. In order to grow in this area of learning, the importance of mental preparedness, physical conditioning, research of holsters, weapon placement, physical tactics, update on legal issues, and assessment of law enforcement objectives where presented.

The class began with disengagement tactics, and empty-hand stunning tactics.  The course covered all angles of attacks from single to multiple attackers.  They learned to retain their firearm while standing, kneeling and on the ground. The participants practiced sensitivity drills to increase the effectiveness of control tactics to reaction drills to develop quick responses.

Leslie gave a wonderful presentation on improvised weaponry. He presented tactics you can use with a magazine, small flashlight and a t-shirt. Jason Cross with the Victoria PD and Chris Garcia with Victoria County Sheriff's Office were also gracious enough to assist and instructed on disengagement drills from the ground. 

I would like to thank the Texas Police Association and Tactical Arts Academy for co-hosting this program.  I would also like to thank all the participants who drove from many parts of Texas. Some came from Victoria, Corpus Christi,Houston, San Marcos, Abilene, Sweetwater, Beaumont, and Montgomery County to name a few.

Application of movement orientation, disengagement and control tactics

The use of leverage to increase the probability of success in firearm retention

The use of leverage for disarm

Movement disengagement drills

Leslie checking on students for proper application

The use of hacking and elbow tactics

Elbow stuns being practiced

Chris Garcia and Jason Cross demobstrate the importance of creating a barrier during

ground assault

The use of wrist and elbow leverage

Pin and spin drill

Leslie Buck looking on as participants practice the use of a T-shirt to control a

subject during improvised weaponry.

Leslie Buck demonstrate the use of a jacket to survive an attack during improvised

weaponry

T-shirt against a punch

Disarming drills while kneeling

Use of a magazine for improvised weaponry

Use of a magazine for improvised weaponry

Use of a magazine for improvised weaponry

Leslie use of a magazine for improvised weaponry

Multiple attacker drill

Sensitivity  and controlling drill

The importance of barrier during a ground assault

Reaction drill

Sensitivity drill

Terrific hard working bunch of guys. Great job to all. See you again soon.

The Victoria Kali group envious of my new T-shirt design. Get your own and leave me alone!!!

Leslie Buck and I presented a class on Edged Weapon Dynamics and Defense at his Tactical Arts Academy school on August 9th 2009.This course was sponsored by the Texas Police Association, Tactical Arts Academy and Tactical Kali.  Leslie Buck was a gracious host opening his doors to this training.

The course lecture covered topics on the dynamics of edged weapons, study on how assaults occur, understanding human performance,reaction time, pre-attack cues, and use of force. Hands on topic covered avoidance drills, footwork and body dynamics to avoid knife thrusts, stunning tactics, take downs, control holds, and ground escape and counters. Leslie also showed his collections of Philippine and Indonesian blades filled with historical and cultural significance.

What can I say about the students? They were great!!!! The students took the training seriously and displayed positive energy that made the course fun.  Please check out Leslie's school at http://www.tacticalarts.net for future training programs.

On September 20th we will present another course on weapon retention, weapon disarming and use of improvised weaponry.This is ideal for military, law enforcement, private security and concealed handgun licensed holders.  See you there.

Yesterday was the 4th of July. What a special time for us in the Ballarta family.  Dashiell,my eldest son, just came back from his tour in Afghanistan.  Having a son  in an area where he is exposed to IEDs, shot at from sniper fire,machinegun fire, RPG's, rockets and mortars  brings a special perspective on our celebration of our freedom in United States. As a parent we are always concern how the child we took to soccer, hockey practice, and guided to his first communion can be purposely exposed to danger. Who would know that his high school Russian language studies and commanding hundreds of high school band students on the football field as a drum major would become a prerequisite to a leadership role in Afghanistan.

As Dash put it, "if we expect other sons and daughters to serve in this environment, then why not me?" Now it was my turn to learn from him. He reminded me that in leadership you lead from the front.  He has learned that to be a true leader he must serve his men in order to accomplish the greater mission. He is living the many mantra and lessons of leadership we look at during  business power-point presentations. As a leader he lives, "Duty, Honor, Country."  We are proud to have him back for a little while.

During this 4th of July Independence Celebration we also remember those young men and women who are the future leaders of our great nation. These modern soldiers volunteered to defend our freedom and our way of life. Knowing what is in front of them, these modern day centurions continue to give of themselves. Like those before us they believe in country and the word patriotism. We know the cause is greater than ourselves. Our thoughts and prayers go to our soldiers, their family, and also the many that serve as fireman, policemen, EMTs and all our first responders. Let's not forget the parents, wives, uncles, aunts, grandparents and friends that support our patriots and in raising the next generations of leaders and patriots. God Bless America.

The 110thTexas Police Association Annual Training Conference was held from June 7th-June 9th 2009 in Corpus Christi. Courses offered were: AutoTheft and Burglary Prevention Authority Update, Border Violence from FBI, DrugCartels from the DEA, Immigration and Gangs from ICE, The Influential Leader by Sam Palazzolo, and Homeland Security/Terrorism by Hanan Yadin of ISI Worldwide.The conference was a success. It was attended by State, municipal and county law enforcement officers.

I was later surprised to be nominated on the executive board of the Texas Police Association as Sergeant of Arms. I look forward to helping out with TPA and accept the many challenges my position comes with.

 The highlight of the conference was the speaker for banquet night.  Captain Allen Clark gave a brief biography and focused on his many challenges he encountered and how he overcame them with God's blessing.  He was an Army Captain that was involved in heavy combat in Vietnam when a mortar exploded near him wounding him severely. He faced many challenges in dealing with losing his legs and post traumatic experiences that came with it.

With many law enforcement officers either returning back to their old agencies or hiring on for the first time after servingmultiple tours of duty, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an issue that administrators must address. These are challenges we need to focus on as an agency.

Check out Captain Clark's website at: http://www.woundedsoldierhealingwarrior.com/index.html

Below is an excerpt from Captain Allen Clark's book.

After attendingPhillips Exeter Academy, Allen graduated the United States Military Academy in1963, after which he was commissioned in the Army Corps of Engineers.  Twoyears after graduation from West Point, he volunteered for a tour in Vietnamwhere he served as a Military Intelligence officer assigned to the FifthSpecial Forces Group.  Allen sustained injuries in an early-morning mortarattack at the Dak To Special Forces camp on June 17, 1967, that necessitatedthe amputation of both legs below his knees.  His military service andsacrifice were recognized with receipt of a Silver Star for Gallantry inAction, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. He wasairborne-qualified.

While learning toadjust to his disability and to walk on prosthetic legs, he obtained an MBA infinance and investments from Southern Methodist University in Dallas,Texas.  Allen's first post-graduate position was as an investment manager for Ross Perot.  His other private sector experience has spanned oil and gas exploration, real estate marketing, and mortgage lending.  He has been vice president of a bank, president of three oil service companies, and co-founder of a real estate investment company in Texas.

Allen's impassioned commitment to public service and to helping veterans began with an appointment in 1979 as the Special Assistant for Administration to Texas Governor William P. Clements, Jr.  In 1981, Allen was President Ronald Reagan's selection to be Deputy Administrator for the Veterans Administration (now the Departmentof Veterans Affairs).  However, he chose to remain in Texas where in 1982 he received the Texas Republican Party's nomination to run for State Treasurerin a race that was won by former Texas State Governor Ann Richards. 

In 1989, he was nominated by President George H.W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate asAssistant Secretary for Veterans Liaison and Program Coordination at the U.S.Department of Veterans Affairs.  In 1991, he received his second VAconfirmation as Director of the National Cemetery System, a position in whichhe served until the end of the Bush Administration. 

Allen's dedicated efforts to support veterans' causes at the national and state levels were recognized with his nomination by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV)organization as the Texas State candidate for the national Outstanding DisabledVeteran of the year 2000.  In 1993 the Military Chaplains Association awarded him their annual National Citizenship Award.

He retired in 2005 as the Public Affairs Officer for the VA North Texas Health Care System in Dallas,Texas.  His current lay ministry is involved in outreach efforts to help veterans recover emotionally and spiritually from adverse war time experiences.  Allen participates in many community and civic activities,including regularly speaking at various group events and churches.  Allenhas addressed many audiences nationwide as a political candidate, publicofficial, and motivational speaker.  Allen's autobiography titled"Wounded Soldier, Healing Warrior" will be published in early 2007 byZenith Press.

He is a member of theAmerican Legion, Association of the U.S. Army, Disabled American Veterans,Military Order of the World Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, MilitaryOfficers Association, Sons of the American Revolution, Special ForcesAssociation, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Association of Graduates of the U.S.Military Academy, and Vietnam Veterans of America.

He retired in 2005 asthe Public Affairs Officer for the VA North Texas Health Care System in Dallas,Texas.  His current lay ministry is involved in outreach efforts to helpveterans recover emotionally and spiritually from adverse wartimeexperiences.  Allen participates in many community and civic activities,including regularly speaking at various group events and churches.  Allenhas addressed many audiences nationwide as a political candidate, publicofficial, and motivational speaker.  Allen's autobiography titled"Wounded Soldier, Healing Warrior" will be published in early 2007 byZenith Press.

He is a member of theAmerican Legion, Association of the U.S. Army, Disabled American Veterans,Military Order of the World Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, MilitaryOfficers Association, Sons of the American Revolution, Special ForcesAssociation, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Association of Graduates of the U.S.Military Academy, and Vietnam Veterans of America.

May 7 and May 8 2009

I had a terrific time in Seattle at the Criminal Justice Training Center teaching on Development and Management of Defensive Tactics Program for the Defensive Tactics Instructor conference and re-certification.  Bob Bragg, a good friend, was a terrific host.  Bob is the Program Manager of Physical Fitness and Defensive Tactics Instructor at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center in Seattle Washington. He was instrumental in my growth and development in the area of Law Enforcement instruction. He is innovative and forward thinking often addressing methods to improve training.

There were approximately 64 participants, all instructors with varied skills and experience in Military, Law Enforcement and Corporate Security from Washington State, Northern California and Oregon.  My instruction  combined 4 hours of lecture on the Dynamics of Attacks, Human Performance, Reaction study and Management of Arrest and Control Tactics Program and  another 4 hours of hands on psycho-motor  skills drills. The wave drill was always popular addressing multiple attacker drills, movement orientation, and plyometric exercise.  Other topics covered were weapon disarming, weapon retention, baton tactics, empty-hand tactics and entry drills.  Great group of men and women.

I look forward to hosting our own conference in Texas soon. I look forward to inviting Bob Bragg from Seattle and another terrific instructor Marty Michaelman from Boston .

Checkout Bob's Bio at :     http://www.theppsc.org/Staff/Bragg/Bob.htm