It’s often apparent in classes how much time it takes people to switch gears and ‘Get Ready.’ Transitioning our Defense Condition, both mentally and physically, from Not Ready to Ready may be the most important skill we develop. We don’t necessarily have to deal with the Tueller Principle but even if a criminal is moving at a brisk walk, we seldom have 12 seconds to ‘Get Ready.’

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Felix Fimbres

Ten to 12 seconds is a common response time to a Ready command during firing squad practice on the firing line during classes. That’s a luxury of time we will seldom have prior to a criminal attack. Often people will look around to see what others are doing before Getting Ready. When a criminal comes for you, others will seldom even notice, much do anything to give you an Alert.

Get Ready is actually what Jeff Cooper’s Color Codes are about. They describe a state of mental readiness to act.

Mental condition comes first and can be followed by increasing our physical Readiness status.

• Ready positions worth practicing
  • Hands in front
  • Hand on gun
  • Transition from OC (OC canister at arm’s length)
  • Low Ready

When is Low Ready appropriate? Avoiding Aggravated Assault charges is just as important as avoiding the assault itself. Either can change our lives forever. A good guideline comes from the Los Angeles POlice Department.

An officer’s decision to draw or exhibit a firearm should be based on the tactical situation and the officer’s reasonable belief there is a substantial risk that the situation may escalate to the point where deadly force may be justified.

• Not Ready positions worth practicing transitioning from to Ready
  • Back to target
  • Manipulating cell phone
  • Occupied hands (packages, baby, etc.)

Prior to moving from one relatively secure area through a transitional space to another relatively secure area is the time to up our mental readiness status. It’s also useful to think of how we will up our physical Readiness status in the transitional space, if necessary.

Tactical Professor books (all PDF)

Serious Mistakes Gunowners Make http://seriousgunownermistakes.com

Indoor Range Practice Sessions http://indoorrangepracticesessions.com

Concealed Carry Skills and Drills http://concealedcarryskillsanddrills.com

Advanced Pistol Practice http://bit.ly/advancedpistolpractice

Shooting Your Black Rifle http://shootingyourblackrifle.com