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The Tactical Mind

Beretta92FSLady

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2009
Messages
5,264
Location
In My Coffee
Sitting at the coffee shop today, like most days, studying. This particular coffee shop is frequented by the local LEO's. I am at the coffee shop at different times, and so the LEO's that come through are not the same. I would say a dozen-or-so have been spotted at different hours.

My point:

I walk into the coffee shop and sit furthest to the back, facing the front door. I figure it's the best tactical position for me, just in case SHTF while I am enjoying a cup.

All of the officers with the exception of one, which happen to be female, sit at the front next to the door, back to the front glass of the coffee shop. They can't see who is coming in or who would be standing behind them from outside the window.

When I see LEO's doing crap like that I think they either weren't properly trained, or they have become too confident in the uniform and too comfortable.

Where do you sit when entering any business? Do you find yourself at times not having a tactical mind, sitting at the front with your back to the entry way of the business you happen to be in?

Heck, maybe I am just paranoid...RIGHT:eek:
 

Trigger Dr

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2007
Messages
2,760
Location
Wa, ,
Sitting at the coffee shop today, like most days, studying. This particular coffee shop is frequented by the local LEO's. I am at the coffee shop at different times, and so the LEO's that come through are not the same. I would say a dozen-or-so have been spotted at different hours.

My point:

I walk into the coffee shop and sit furthest to the back, facing the front door. I figure it's the best tactical position for me, just in case SHTF while I am enjoying a cup.

All of the officers with the exception of one, which happen to be female, sit at the front next to the door, back to the front glass of the coffee shop. They can't see who is coming in or who would be standing behind them from outside the window.

When I see LEO's doing crap like that I think they either weren't properly trained, or they have become too confident in the uniform and too comfortable.

Where do you sit when entering any business? Do you find yourself at times not having a tactical mind, sitting at the front with your back to the entry way of the business you happen to be in?

Heck, maybe I am just paranoid...RIGHT:eek:

Hi and welcome back on the net Sarah.
My wife gets really POed at me when we go out to eat. If I cannot find a seat with my back to a wall and facing the entrance I wait until one is available.
 
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Beretta92FSLady

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2009
Messages
5,264
Location
In My Coffee
Hi and welcome back on the net Sarah.
My wife gets really POed at me when we go out to eat. If I cannot find a seat with my back to a wall and facing the entrance I wait until one is available.

I wait or go somewhere else. I feel very uncomfortable and believe it is very unsafe to not being able to scan over my environment. My partner and I rarely sit across from one another, we are typical sitting beside one another. I do not sit on aisle seats where my right side is exposed, I always sit with my right inside...I am right-handed. If S-does-HTF I don't want the perp to see what I got planned for him until it is to late for him.
 

gogodawgs

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
5,669
Location
Federal Way, Washington, USA
Sitting at the coffee shop today, like most days, studying. This particular coffee shop is frequented by the local LEO's. I am at the coffee shop at different times, and so the LEO's that come through are not the same. I would say a dozen-or-so have been spotted at different hours.

My point:

I walk into the coffee shop and sit furthest to the back, facing the front door. I figure it's the best tactical position for me, just in case SHTF while I am enjoying a cup.

All of the officers with the exception of one, which happen to be female, sit at the front next to the door, back to the front glass of the coffee shop. They can't see who is coming in or who would be standing behind them from outside the window.

When I see LEO's doing crap like that I think they either weren't properly trained, or they have become too confident in the uniform and too comfortable.

Where do you sit when entering any business? Do you find yourself at times not having a tactical mind, sitting at the front with your back to the entry way of the business you happen to be in?

Heck, maybe I am just paranoid...RIGHT:eek:

Hi and welcome back on the net Sarah.
My wife gets really POed at me when we go out to eat. If I cannot find a seat with my back to a wall and facing the entrance I wait until one is available.

I do the same...ask me the story some time.
 

amzbrady

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
3,521
Location
Marysville, Washington, USA
Same here. First thing I do is go and find the bathroom so I can wash my hands. Along the way I make a note of any kitchen doors, back doors, (escape routes) and glance around at who's who. My vehicle is always parked facing an escape route. I back into 95% of the parking spaces, The ones I go forward into, I can easily drive over curbs and get to the road if I had to.
 

USMC1911

Regular Member
Joined
May 9, 2010
Messages
190
Location
Vancouver, Washington, USA
Same here. First thing I do is go and find the bathroom so I can wash my hands. Along the way I make a note of any kitchen doors, back doors, (escape routes) and glance around at who's who. My vehicle is always parked facing an escape route. I back into 95% of the parking spaces, The ones I go forward into, I can easily drive over curbs and get to the road if I had to.

I also do this ^
Not paranoid ... just being safe, being aware, being ready, being a Sheepdog and not a sheeple.
 

amlevin

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
5,937
Location
North of Seattle, Washington, USA
I like to sit in the back facing the door as well. I also try and sit where I can access the rear exit which is often through the kitchen. I refuse to be "cornered" without a way out.
 

skiingislife725

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2009
Messages
400
Location
Lake Stevens, WA
Like with everything, there's pros and cons to each side. Sitting by the door gives you a view on people approaching the building before the SHTF, as opposed to when they come storming in. Although that's negated if you've got your back to the door. Sitting by the door also gives you a possible escape route...especially important if you've got an unarmed wife or kid to worry about.

With that said, my only preference is sitting facing the door. If the stuff is going down toward the counter inside the store...I might be able to make my way to the front door. If it starts going down as soon as they come in, then I might be able to work my way to the back of the establishment.

I think it totally depends upon your personal situation. Do you have a wife and kids with you? Are you willing to duke it out or do you just want to get out safely? Where do you think the threat will occur? At the counter in the middle of the store? At the front door? It all can change where the best place is to be in the store, IMHO.
 

sudden valley gunner

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2008
Messages
16,674
Location
Whatcom County
Some good points Skiing.

Me I know my personality is not just for myself but for who ever else might be endangered so fleeing probably won't be my response. If I feel someone is there to do harm to someone else and I don't do something I'd have a hard time not feeling bloodguilty.
 

Beretta92FSLady

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2009
Messages
5,264
Location
In My Coffee
I think it totally depends upon your personal situation. Do you have a wife and kids with you? Are you willing to duke it out or do you just want to get out safely? Where do you think the threat will occur? At the counter in the middle of the store? At the front door? It all can change where the best place is to be in the store, IMHO.

Whether I am with my partner and kids or alone, I still would have to fight it out with the perp. Chances are if the perp is coming into the establishment it is to rob the place, so it is likely they are going to go for the register...I don't read much about hold-ups like that these days.

As much as I would like to be able to escape and run from the place, I can't help but think about the people, whom I don't know, that i would be leaving behind in the chaos...I would stay, personally and fight it out. Pretty sad if the only person in the room with a means of defense makes a run for it and leaves everyone else (sheep) behind for the wolf.
 

devildoc5

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Joined
Jun 9, 2010
Messages
791
Location
Somewhere over run with mud(s)
Whether I am with my partner and kids or alone, I still would have to fight it out with the perp. Chances are if the perp is coming into the establishment it is to rob the place, so it is likely they are going to go for the register...I don't read much about hold-ups like that these days.

As much as I would like to be able to escape and run from the place, I can't help but think about the people, whom I don't know, that i would be leaving behind in the chaos...I would stay, personally and fight it out. Pretty sad if the only person in the room with a means of defense makes a run for it and leaves everyone else (sheep) behind for the wolf.

Very TRUE and I agree with you.

HOWEVER if they are the ones who either made mistakes and cannot legally own a weapon, or are too blind and ignorant to carry one, perhaps we should let Darwinism take hold every now and again???
 

Ruby

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May 5, 2010
Messages
1,201
Location
Renton, Washington, USA
Personally, I don't think I could live with myself very well if I could have done something to stop a massacre and people died because I didn't. I don't live just for myself and I don't carry a gun just for myself. Everyone out there, sheeple included have lives, have loved ones they want to go home to. I would not try to be a hero and do something stupid, but if I could stop it, I would.
 

BigDave

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Nov 22, 2006
Messages
3,456
Location
Yakima, Washington, USA
Whether I am with my partner and kids or alone, I still would have to fight it out with the perp. Chances are if the perp is coming into the establishment it is to rob the place, so it is likely they are going to go for the register...I don't read much about hold-ups like that these days.

As much as I would like to be able to escape and run from the place, I can't help but think about the people, whom I don't know, that i would be leaving behind in the chaos...I would stay, personally and fight it out. Pretty sad if the only person in the room with a means of defense makes a run for it and leaves everyone else (sheep) behind for the wolf.

Personally, I don't think I could live with myself very well if I could have done something to stop a massacre and people died because I didn't. I don't live just for myself and I don't carry a gun just for myself. Everyone out there, sheeple included have lives, have loved ones they want to go home to. I would not try to be a hero and do something stupid, but if I could stop it, I would.

Is there a situation where you would put your children's or spouses life ahead of your own to ensure their future safety? (in these type of scenarios)

If things go wrong and you do not make it for some odd reason, are they cared for, will your absence be greatly missed? I think so.

While I feel an obligation for society as a whole a greater priority is for my family and loved ones and will live with the fact of not being able to save everyone. After all we all make a choice to defend ourselves or not, it is a choice.
 
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Ruby

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Messages
1,201
Location
Renton, Washington, USA
Is there a situation where you would put your children's or spouses life ahead of your own to ensure their future safety? (in these type of scenarios)

If things go wrong and you do not make it for some odd reason, are they cared for, will your absence be greatly missed? I think so.

While I feel an obligation for society as a whole a greater priority is for my family and loved ones and will live with the fact of not being able to save everyone. After all we all make a choice to defend ourselves or not, it is a choice.


The choice will be different for each one of us. I don't currently have a spouse, have no children, so that part is not a concern for me. If I were with other family members(none in this area)or friends, their safety as well as my own would be my first priority of course. As with most self defense scenarios, each one is different and you won't know what you will do until the situation presents itself. We think we know what we will do, or what we will intend to do, but as with anything else in life, there is much that is out of our control.
 

Beretta92FSLady

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Joined
Dec 14, 2009
Messages
5,264
Location
In My Coffee
Is there a situation where you would put your children's or spouses life ahead of your own to ensure their future safety? (in these type of scenarios)

If things go wrong and you do not make it for some odd reason, are they cared for, will your absence be greatly missed? I think so.

While I feel an obligation for society as a whole a greater priority is for my family and loved ones and will live with the fact of not being able to save everyone. After all we all make a choice to defend ourselves or not, it is a choice.

I agree, the priority is for and should be for our individual families. I agree, people choose to not be prepared, and to not have the tools and knowledge to defend themselves...they pay the price. Just because you are running out the door though, doesn't mean you aren't going to get shot in the back...I would more likely take cover than run and ready myself to return fire.

BTW, my partner and I have covered and practiced what the kids are to do if we are ever under attack...we have one word that when yelled, the kids know what to do. If out in public and the kids are close to one another they are supposed to huddle together, if they are apart they are to hit the deck with their hands over their head. Call me paranoid, but I like to have the kids just as prepared as I am for if we have the unfortunate experience of being caught up in a situation we can't get out of.

I have asked myself if SHTF and I was sitting in my home with my four months supply of food and sufficient amount of water, would I help someone outside of my family if their family was in need...I want to say yes, but I don't think that I can.

That being said, there are certain circumstances where if I see something going down, I will be on it without hesitation...sometimes I wish that I wasn't so inclined to jump into other peoples business, but I can't seem to help myself, and I will likely pay the price for that natural instinct.
 
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Tomas

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Mar 18, 2010
Messages
702
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University Place, Washington, USA
Heh. I tend to sit on the side of an enclosed area rather than in a corner or in the back. I try to have not just the main entrance in view, but ALL entrances to the room in view, and at a reasonable distance.

I greatly prefer chairs to booths.

I prefer my right side free to move, but reasonably out of view.

I try to keep an eye on "normal" traffic flow, and take note when something breaks that pattern, even if it appears benign.

I've pretty much done this since I came back from 'Nam...

I don't think it is unusual at all, and I notice most of the ex-military guys around me tend to behave similarly. Not a one of them is comfortable with their back to the door or the crowd.
 

TechnoWeenie

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Jul 17, 2007
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2,084
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, ,
Heh. I tend to sit on the side of an enclosed area rather than in a corner or in the back. I try to have not just the main entrance in view, but ALL entrances to the room in view, and at a reasonable distance.

I greatly prefer chairs to booths.

I prefer my right side free to move, but reasonably out of view.

I try to keep an eye on "normal" traffic flow, and take note when something breaks that pattern, even if it appears benign.

I've pretty much done this since I came back from 'Nam...

I don't think it is unusual at all, and I notice most of the ex-military guys around me tend to behave similarly. Not a one of them is comfortable with their back to the door or the crowd.


I'm the guy that the protection detail watches, because I'm constantly watching everyone else, instead of focusing on the person I'm supposed to be there to see (the protectee)..

LOL.

In large venues, I'm constantly scanning the crowd... you can always pick out the people who 'don't belong'..
 
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