Retired Air Force CMSgt with 30 years of experience in leadership and global operations.
Most people think warfare only happens with bullets, bombs, or blades. But today, some of the most dangerous battles are fought in your mind—through news feeds, social media posts, and subtle manipulation campaigns designed to shape your perception of reality. These campaigns are called influence operations, and they’re
At Sentinel Combatives, we train for the real world—not the perfect scenario. You may not always have a firearm, a blade, or even your hands free. But what you do have in nearly every situation is your environment—and that means tools, leverage, and options. Improvised weapons are not
In a world that’s faster, louder, and more chaotic than ever, maintaining situational awareness isn’t just a good habit—it’s a survival skill. And while we train the body and sharpen the mind at Sentinel Combatives, we also recognize a powerful truth: Technology—when used intentionally—can
“When danger comes to your door, you need more than a plan—you need a place.” Whether it’s a home invasion, natural disaster, or civil unrest, one of the most effective defensive tools you can have inside your own home is a designated safe room. Often overlooked or misunderstood,
Lessons from Ed Calderon’s Course & the Real-World Need for Escape Skills This past weekend, I attended a Counter Custody course with Ed Calderon—one of the most respected voices in non-permissive environment training. His material is gritty, tested, and refreshingly honest. But the biggest takeaway wasn’
At Sentinel Combatives, we believe that real self-defense begins long before any physical altercation—it starts with intuition, awareness, and the willingness to trust your instincts. Few resources capture this better than Gavin de Becker’s landmark book, The Gift of Fear, which powerfully underscores that intuition is our
At Sentinel Combatives, we teach our students that self-protection doesn’t start when the fight does—it starts with prevention. Your home should be your sanctuary, but without proper security, it can become your greatest vulnerability. Whether you're home alone, asleep with your family, or away on
When people think about defensive pistol use, they often imagine standing on a flat range, firing at a paper target from 15 feet away in a perfect stance. But in the real world, that’s rarely how violence happens. Most violent encounters occur within arm’s reach, in crowded or
What to Do If You Inadvertently Walk or Drive Into a Riot “Situational awareness is survival. Composure is the force multiplier.” Despite your best planning and awareness, you may still find yourself caught in the middle of an active riot or violent protest—on foot or behind the wheel. Riots
Vehicle Readiness for Civil Unrest “Your vehicle is your lifeboat. Treat it like one.” In periods of widespread unrest, your vehicle becomes more than just transportation—it can be your lifeline, your shelter, and your fastest path to safety. But that only holds true if you’ve prepared it in
Area Study & Pattern Recognition “Avoidance is your first and best win.” It’s June 2025, and civil unrest continues to erupt with little warning, rapidly spreading across urban and suburban environments. In volatile times like these, the ability to read your environment can be the difference between evasion and
Trauma Medicine in Times of Chaos “When EMS won’t come—or is overwhelmed—YOU are the medic.” It’s June 2025, and once again, civil unrest is gripping parts of the country with the potential to spill into our communities. At Sentinel Combatives, we take the position that it’