Train or Train Not; There is No Magic

"Do or do not...." the wise old Master Yoda once told a disparaged Luke Skywalker when trying to impart Jedi knowledge. "...There is no try." 

While us Earthlings lack hokey tricks like the Force or light sabers and clairvoyance we do have trusty blasters.  But, these blasters also come with a wise caveat for our ever mortal endeavors: Train or Train Not, There is No Magic.

When we choose to take up arms, we do not do so lightly.  It is no trivial task to take personal charge of your safety.  It should not be taken lightly nor without due regard.

Yet, as an observation, many who do fail to secure proper training with their newfound instrument of self-defense.  Or, perhaps, after obtaining a paltry 3-16 hours of train fail to obtain more or even practice what was learned.

Shooting is a perishable skill.  That is fact.  Indisputable, cold, hard fact.  Even more so is the art of gun fighting.  Oh, you may possess the will, but muscles that do not remember are a cold comfort to the mind that wishes victory and finds performance...lacking.

Creasy Bear taught us that there is no such thing as tough. Only trained and untrained.  Is that true?  Am I not a badass because I believe it so?  I mean, am I not a badass because I own all the right gear?  That is to say, I am a badass because I took a class in classical bad assery some moons ago.

Sadly, internet commandos, armchair generals, and YouTube operators might have you believing something as silly as, "By buying Product X, currently being fielded in country by Unit Y, that you can achieve the same stellar results."

This is not to say quality gear doesn't have a place or worth.  On the contrary, good gear is good.  But good gear doesn't make a bad shooter an instant "two-way range" bad ass like Revolver Ocelot.

Frankly, there is no substitute for good training.  But good training, like a fruit bearing tree, needs pruning, care, and watering to bring forth good fruit.  You have to maintain training standards. Constantly seek to improve yourself. Seek out new training without believing you have the answers and know everything there is to know.

Beware the man with one gun, for he surely knows how to use it.

Train or Train Not; There is No Magic.

Just because you want it so badly, doesn't mean the combat fairy will come and wave her magic wand over your head when the wolf knocks at your door.  It has been said by better men than I, you will not rise to the occasion, but fall to the highest level of training you have maintained proficiency at.

And that, friends, will happen regardless of what brand pants you're wearing.

The key is constant refreshing.  Constant pushing and improvement.  In a gunfight you most likely won't be able to pick your opponent.  You don't know their level of training or proficiency. But, honestly, that doesn't matter. You are competing against yourself, your last personal best. Your smoothest draw. Your smoothest reload.  

You have to constantly best yourself, because that's your only chance at besting your opponent.

Train hard and train often, but most importantly train (correctly).