Origin of Reality-Based Training

by goshinman

More and more people today are studying reality-based-training (RBT) for self-protection in lieu of traditional martial arts and fighting sports. This is principally because it offers a realistic and no-nonsense approach and can be learned in a relatively short period of time.

The Origin and Development of Reality-Based-Training.

Reality-based-training is a recent development; the overall concept was created in 1998 by Jim Wagner, a former soldier, jailer, police officer, SWAT team member, diplomatic bodyguard, and counterterrorist for the United States government following the attacks on the United States on 9/11. RBT is actually a police term, though never widely used in the law enforcement community. It refers to Realistic Conflict Rehearsal Training. Jim Wagner took this little known term and introduced it to the civilian martial arts community through his popular Black Belt magazine column “HIGH RISK” to best describe his emerging system that was based on the techniques and training methods of modern law enforcement, corrections, and military units.

The concept of Reality-based-Training was conceived in 1995, when Jim Wagner contacted Black Belt Magazine and offered to write articles from the law enforcement and military perspective. He felt this entire segment of the martial arts population was being ignored by the publication. He was flatly told in a letter that his ideas “…did not meet their current editorial needs.” Jim tried again two years later, but none of the major publishers were interested. Finally in 1998 the tide had turned with the new, and current, editor Robert Young. Black Belt Magazine and a few other publications, most notably Budo magazine in Europe, started to feature Jim’s articles with great reader enthusiasm.

Today the term Reality-Based Training is used globally to represent a whole new direction in the martial arts. As such, many people over the past few years have liberally used Jim Wagner’s term, some correctly while others incorrectly, to describe aspects of their own training or entire systems without fully understanding the meaning or concepts behind those words.

The term Reality-based-Training has caught on so well that everyone teaching any sort of self-defense now uses it, but don’t be fooled. Although there are many systems out there that have elements within them that are “reality-based,” a true reality-based system must include Pre-Conflict and Post-Conflict training (in addition to Conflict training). It must also contain Conflict Rehearsal (scenario training that makes use of scene design, stage lighting, scripting, costumes and props). It’s been found that physical training that closely simulates a real event and involves many of the senses has a greater impact on the overall training process.

A true system must also present realistic training that enables the student to deal a wide range of criminal and terrorism situations. These fields also encompass the techniques and training methods employed by criminals and terrorists since they are the very enemies that practitioners of RBT study and fight against. Without understanding the enemy, RBT would be nothing more than learning how to fight against other martial artists (as is the case with traditional martial arts).

Paralleling the development of Fairbairn in the 1930′s, Jim Wagner researched and collected data from crime statistics and his own first-hand experience, and synthesized this into what we know today as RBT. Having trained police and military units worldwide (including the Israeli Special Forces, German GSG9, Brazilian GATE, FBI SWAT, Argentinean GOE, U.S. Border Patrol, California Highway Patrol, U.S. Air Force Security Forces, DEA, U.S. Navy and Marines PMO, U.S. Marshals, and the list goes on). Jim Wagner began teaching these skills to civilians for the first time in 2003, and called his system Reality-Based Personal Protection.

Advantages of Combatives and Reality-Based-Training.

#1) no elaborate traditions or rituals
#2) no uniforms, in general you practice in the clothes you normally wear
#3) the mindset is to attack aggressively, repeatedly and preemptively
#4) this is one of the only styles of fighting that chooses to be up close
#5) there are relatively few techniques, and they are simple to learn/perform
#6) realistic practice and expectations
#7) techniques are practical, efficient and effective
#8) willingness to take the life of your attacker if necessary
#9) firearms and edged weapons training is included sometimes

Disadvantages of Combatives (within purist WWII styles)
#1) some of the weapons defense (especially knife) are not up-to-date
#2) no regard for the ladder of force skills can put you behind bars
#3) many combatives enthusiasts have a reckless macho attitude with their safety and the safety of their practice partners
#4) there are some fringe (cult) groups who wear military fatigues and berets, even though they were never in the military
#5) not much taught about verbal de-escalation skills
#6) Little or no pre-conflict and post-conflict training

Disadvantages of Reality-Based-Training

#1) some participants develop a false sense of confidence based on some initial training. Like anything else, these techniques must be practiced consistently and persistently.

Summary.

Generally, combatives today is exemplified by an aggressive mindset and relentless hard hitting attacks in the conflict phase. Reality-based defense focuses on a wide array of situations you may encounter in your daily life and presents this in three phases; pre-conflict, conflict and post-conflict.

In addition to practicing reality-based training and/or combatives, I believe it’s still important to have a basic knowledge of grappling (BJJ & wrestling) as well as striking skills (boxing/muaythai). Professional fighters can take you out very quickly and thousands of people are training in these sports nowadays. You don’t need to attain a great level of skill, but just know enough to deal with it.

If you have limited time and need to learn self-protection that’s efficient and effective, both combatives and reality-based training offer useful training, however, reality-based training offers more breath and depth to the subject. If you just need to energize your conflict phase then combatives should suffice, but the down-side with combatives is that some groups cultivate a cult-like atmosphere and feature a heavy testosterone vibe.

The best combatives group (USA) I’ve come across is Kelly McCann’s group at Crucible; they aren’t WWII purists and teach techniques that are efficient and effective in today’s environment.
http://www.kellymccanncombatives.com/ for civilians. www.cruciblesecurity.com for ‘private’ (Note: their website is currently down, and will be up in the near future).

Reality-based training is gaining in popularity and could well be the dominant approach for self-protection in the 21st century. But be careful, too many schools claim they offer reality-based training but actually don’t. If you’re looking for a reality-based program in your area, contact http://www.jimwagnertraining.com/instructorsunitedkingdom.html

Malcolm
Peterborough Martial Arts

————–

How to Lose Stubborn Belly Fat
Get Flat Sexy Six Pack Abs the Right Way. Here’s the REAL Truth About Losing Stubborn Belly Fat and Getting a Flat Stomach…
————–
World Famous Turbulence Training Workout.
Turbulence Training is a revolutionary system written by Craig Ballantyne, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and fitness author, that helps you lose fat and gain muscle at the same time using only three 45 minute workouts per week. .
The system is based on power sports training and high intensity interval training and does not include standard aerobic exercise. You will lose fat, gain muscle and get stronger. Nutritional guidelines are also included.
Try it at no risk for a full 8 weeks, backed by a 100% money back guarantee. Turbulence Training