As with many of you, I find myself in a constant "scan" mode. It doesn't matter if I am headed to the Quicky Mart for milk, or to a foreign city on a detail. I am a student of the human species. I am not perfect, but many people like me can quickly look at someone and get a read on them. The way they stand or walk, their eyes, their hands and even their clothes can tell you everything you need to know at the moment.

Clothes are a special point for me. As warriors we need to recognize that it is tactically sound for us to blend in with the rest of society. I know it is difficult, especially for military and LE professionals. You wear a uniform every day and it seems odd to stray too far from that. However we need to explore the tactical necessity of blending in. The scenario is this: it is 10 pm. You are out of milk for the kids' breakfast tomorrow so you head to your local quicky mart. While you are there, Johnny Crack Head and his team mate Mary Meth decide that they will rob said quicky mart to fuel yet one more night of drug centered excitement. They are both armed and twitchy as they are coming down from a high. They both have extensive criminal records and Johnny has seen time for assault of a police officer and attempted murder. You get the picture. So the merry pair walk in and see two people. The wide eyed clerk and you. They now begin their evaluation. Are you a threat? Do you remind them of something they despise? Do you frighten them because you simply look "tactical"?

Obviously this is a hypothetical, yet I imagine somewhere it has played out. Without getting wrapped around the axle about how blazing fast your draw is and how you would double tap them both - consider the scenario. I am not encouraging you to dress "undercover". Nothing is more pathetic than a grown man with his hat on backwards and pants drooping down trying to be cool. What I will say though is this; think about how you appear. Before you put on your ballistic nylon superman underwear, is it a uniform you are putting on or street clothes?

I too am a creature of habit and find some odd comfort in my 511 pants, Danner boots, Wilderness belt and Proud Infidel t-shirt. What I know from experience though is that I would stick out like a flashing light to a bad guy looking to thin the heard of anyone he or she felt might disrupt their plans. When I work, I look for the very same things as possible threats. If anything it is food for thought.

Until I see you on the range or on the mat - be safe and Stay in the Fight!

Fred Mastison President - Force Options Dynamic School of Combat