Issue #2

October - December

www.RavenTactical.Com
January 1st 2010

BRINGING YOU THE VERY BEST IN

PERSONAL PROTECTION

NEWSLETTER VOLUME TWO

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3. WORDS FROM THE CHIEF INSTRUCTOR

4. RAVEN METHOD IN THE MEDIA
5. PROMOTIONS & APPOINTMENTS
8. CHICAGO ALTERNATIVE POLICING
10. TACTICAL COMMUNICATION CERTIFICATION COURSE
11. CHICAGO GUARDIAN ANGELS PILOT WOMENS SELF DEFENSE SEMINARS
12. RAVEN INSTRUCTOR JOINS GUARDIAN ANGELS
13. POST CERTIFICATION
14. ST.LOUIS CHAPTER OF THE GUARDIAN ANGELS LEARN THE RAVEN METHOD
15. SEMINAR SCHEDULE
18. STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH HOMELAND PROTECTION INC.
18. SPECIAL INSTRUCTOR ONLY SEMINAR
19. RAVEN METHOD TACTICAL BATONCERTIFICATION PROGRAM
20. THE IRON GUARD
25. SMITHS SOAP BOX
27. UNLEASHING YOUR INNER ANIMAL FOR SURVIVAL
30. DEFENSIVE TACTICS GET REAL
33. CRIMINALS TRAIN SO SHOULD YOU
34. APACHE KNIFE GHOST DOG AND RAVEN METHOD, A PARTING OF WAYS
2

WELL WE HAVE OFFICIALL

OFFICIALLY
LLY MOVED INTO OUR SECOND
QUARTERLY
QUARTERLY CYCLE AND
AND AS PROMISED HERE IS THIS
THIS
QUARTERS NEWS LETTER.
LETTER. OUR
OUR SECOND ISSUE TRACKS
TRACKS
OUT ACTIVITIES FROM OCTOBER THROUGH DECEMBER
DECEMBER
2009. IT HAS BEEN A GREAT QUARTER SO FAR. WE
EXPECT TO HAVE PLETY OF NEWS FOR YOU TO REPORT
REPORT
IN THE FUTURE. WE PLAN ON ROLLING INTO
INTO 2010 WITH
A BANG!
BANG!!! WE ARE GROWING STRONG
STRONG AND STEADY EVERY DAY.
DAY. I
WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF OUR STUDENTS AND AFFILIATES. LOOK
FOR 2010 TO BE THE YEAR
YEAR OF THE RAVEN!

WE HAVE A NEW WEBSITE UP AT

WWW.RAVENTACTICAL.COM
WWW.RAVENTACTICAL.COM
ALSO VISIT US ON
FACE BOOK AT:
HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FRIENDS/?REF=TN#
HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FRIENDS/?REF=TN#/GROUP.PHP?GID=24
COM/FRIENDS/?REF=TN#/GROUP.PHP?GID=24
5934654615&REF=TS
5934654615&REF=TS

HI5 AT :
WWW.RAVENTACTICAL.HI5.CO
WWW.RAVENTACTICAL.HI5.COM
RAVENTACTICAL.HI5.COM

An article on the RAVEN Method Flexible weapons system was published in the October
Issue of Muay Thaimes Magazine.

NEW ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

It is with great pleasure that Mr. Criso Lopez and Mr. German Dominguez have accepted
positions on the Raven Tactical International Advisory Board. I have worked closely with
both men on a variety of projects for the International Combatives Self Defense
Association. I look forward to new Raven Method projects for us to explore together.

Ms. Criso Lopez

Mr. German
Dominguez

Mr. Lopez is the founder of Mitsu Saku Han Ninjutsu and the Spirit Tora
Combatives System. Mr.Lopez is a veteran private security contractor
who has worked a variety or high risk and high profile assignments. Mr.
Lopez who is a tactical shooting instructor also holds a 2nd Dan Black
Belt in Bujinkan Budo Ninjutsu, a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Arashiki Ryu
Ninjutsu, a 3rd Dan Black Belt in To Chi Uji and a 1st Dan Black Belt in
Full Contact Kick Boxing. Mr. Lopez has trained civilians, Police and
Military personnel from throughout Spain.
Mr. Dominguez is a veteran of the Spanish Armed Forces U.N.I.R. Rapid
Intervention Unit with extensive training in close combat and urban
combat tactics. Mr. Dominguez is the Founder of Ninjutsu Shokan
Shinobi Han.
Mr. Dominguez also holds a 4th Dan Black Belt in Bujinkan Budo
Ninjutsu and a 1st Dan Black Belt in Arashiki Ryu Ninjutsu. Mr.
Dominguez has trained civilians, Police and Military personnel from
throughout Spain

NEW PROGRAM
PROGRAM ADVISORS
We at RAVEN Tactical International are proud to bring you what we feel are some of the
best programs available on the market today. Unlike other companies we do not believe
that our chief instructors brain is the only knowledge well that can be accessed. We at RTI

pride ourselves on the fact that we work in combination with some of the top experts in
the field to improve our courses and ensure that you receive the best product possible.
With that Said I am pleased to welcome 3 new Program Advisors. Specialists in their fields
who lend their insight and knowledge to the development of our curriculums.
NEW ADVISORS TO THE DARK RAVEN MILITARY CLOSE QUARTER COMBAT SYSTEM:
SYSTEM:

Chief Warrant
Officer
Unique Gathings

Mr. German
Dominguez

Chief Warrant Officer Unique Gathings (retired) is a veteran of the US

Navy, were he served with SEAL team 8. Mr. Gathings brings us the
benefit of knowledge gained as part of the special forces community.
Mr. Gathings also Holds black Belts in Brazilian Jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do,
and has extensive training in western wrestling, Thai Boxing and
Kodokan Judo.

We also welcome Mr. German Dominguez. Mr. Dominguez is a veteran

of the Spanish Armed Forces ( Spanish Marines ) U.N.I.R. Rapid
Intervention Unit with extensive training in close combat and urban
combat tactics. Mr. Dominguez is the Founder of Ninjutsu Shokan
Shinobi Han. Mr. Dominguez also holds a 4th Dan Black Belt in Bujinkan
Budo Ninjutsu and a 1st Dan Black Belt in Arashiki Ryu Ninjutsu. Mr.
Dominguez has also cross trained extensively in Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Judo,
Karate Goju Ryu, Full Contact & Tae kwon do. Mr. Dominguez has
trained civilians, Police and Military personnel from throughout Spain

NEW SPECIAL ADVISOR TO OUR FRONTIER COMBATIVE

COMBATIVES
ATIVES PROGRAM :
Keith is a founding member and instructor for the Chicago Swordplay
Guild, where he is the primary knife/counter-knife curriculum
developer. The CSG is a modern school dedicated to the organized
instruction in the serious study and practice of historical European
swordplay. Founded in 1998, the Guild is a modern school of
swordsmanship and martial arts. Mr. Jennings is also an instructor of
Bowie Knife / Long knife dueling and other western weapons. In
Mr. Keith Jennings addition to his training in the Korean and Western arts, Keith has
extensive training in Filipino stick and knife arts, and under Mike Janich
in his Martial Blade Concepts system.

NEW STATE REPRESENTATIVE

We would like to welcome Officer Jim Hogue as our new Kansas State Representative.
Officer Hogue comes to us with a diverse a background in the Law Enforcement, Military
and Martial Arts fields. Officer Hogue is a close personal friend of mine and I am proud to
have him on the Team.
Officer Hogue has studied various forms of Kunato, Silat and Kali
as wells as other martial arts. Officer Hogue has worked in the
fields of private security, Fugitive Recovery, Corrections and Law
Enforcement. Mr. Hogue is a veteran of the US Army Military
Police. Mr. Hogue served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. While in
Iraq he taught in the first ever Iraqi Police Academy. He was the
Academy's Chief USD Instructor in Defensive Police Tactics and
Suspect Control Techniques. Today, Mr. Hogue works for the
Department of Veterans Affairs as a Federal Police Officer.

In October Chief RAVEN instructor Fernan Vargas and Guardian Angels Midwest Regional
Coordinator Miguel Fuentes presented a self protection lecture held in Chicagos West loop
neighborhood. The lecture was presented to various members of the community in
coordination with Chicago police department staff.
What is CAPS? Caps is the Chicago
Alternative Policing Strategy. CAPS has been
recognized as one of the most ambitious
community policing initiatives in the United
States.
(*Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy
(CAPS) was started in 1993 as a pilot
program in five diverse neighborhoods. A
year later, CAPS was implemented across
Chicago. The goal of CAPS is to blend
traditional policing strategies with
alternative strategies aimed at encouraging
community members and police to work
together to reduce the occurrence of crimes.
CAPS emphasizes the need for increased lines
of communication between the community
and the police, so that together they can
come up with solutions for chronic neighborhood problems. CAPS provides an alternative
method for policing which focuses on helping officers develop close relationships with the
community they work in by keeping beat officers on the same beat for at least a year.
CAPS tries to shift from a police force separated from the people they protect to a police
force working with the people they protect.
Each month, community beat meetings are held in all 279 beats. This allows individual
residents to sit down with their beat officers and other police personnel to discuss
neighborhood problems and hopefully develop strategies to address them.
Finally, CAPS attempts to do more than just react to crimes that have already been
committed. CAPS works to proactively solve problems that lead to crimes, to accomplish
this many of the officers and community members have been trained in problem solving
skills.
(*from Wikipedia)

Raven Tactical International is pleased to announce the

launching of a new cooperative program in Tactical
Communications. Raven Tactical International has teamed
up with Martial Arts Grandmaster and Certified FBI
Defensive Tactics Instructor John Enger to bring you a
unique video home study course. The Course is a
requirement for Rank in Both the RAVEN Method Close
Quarter Defensive Tactics System as well as the Shinja Buke
Ryu Kenpo System.
The course is covers Tactical Communication and Verbal De-Escalation strategies in depth.
The Course can be viewed at your own pace. Complete the Written Exam successfully and
you will earn a Certificate of Training in Tactical Communication from Raven Tactical
International.
(NOTE STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE THIS COURSE IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR LEVEL ONE
RANK)

John Enger is a retired Lieutenant Commander of the University of Minnesota Police

Department. John has also been a Verbal Judo (Tactical Communications Instructor) with
the Verbal Judo Institute for many years, receiving Instructor Level Certification from Dr.
George Thompson. John was issued the first Black Belt rank in Verbal Judo/Tactical
Communication by Dr. Thompson.
The Training Package Costs $30.00 Which Includes:
1. Shinja P15P15-V1Course DVD
2. Workbook Exam
3. Certificate
Certificate of Training
4. Shipping & Handling
PAYPAL [email protected]
Or
Check or money order payable to John Enger
7109 46th Avenue Circle East
Bradenton, FL 34203
10

On November 7th
2009 RAVEN Chief
instructor Vargas and
Guardian Angels
Midwest Regional
Coordinator Miguel
Fuentes Taught the first
of what will be many
Free womens self
defense seminars in the
Chicago area. A core
group of students
turned out for the
event and were trained
by RAVEN Method
staff in conjunction with the Guardian Angels. Both the Guardian Angels and Raven
Tactical AInternational Are dedicated to helping communities through Safety Education.

11

We at the Raven Tactical International believe strongly in

supporting our communities. Many of our members are in
the service of the Public in a variety of forms. I am
especially proud of my personal student Mrs. Martina
Horokova who recently joined the Guardian Angels Safety
Patrol. Raven Tactical International staff and the Guardian
Angels have a special relationship. In our home town of
Chicago both groups are extremely supportive of the other
and work together on a regular basis.

We are in the business of training Warriors, of training the protectors of our society.
Many Raven students work in Law Enforcement, Military service or a similar field. I
highly recommend to all of those members who work in more traditional fields to join and
support the Guardian Angels. It is a great way to put your special skills to good use with
an organization which has helped communities for over three decades. I take my hat off
to Mrs. Horokova for putting her knowledge to use for the betterment of her community.
I am proud to call her my student.

12

In November 2009 The following RAVEN Method Courses

were officially approved by the Colorado State Police Officer
Training And Standards Board.

SABER Method Edged Weapon Defense Basic Certification

SABER Method Edged Weapon Defense Instructor Certification
SABER Method Tactical Duty Knife Basic Certification
SABER Method Tactical Duty Knife Instructor Certification

In December 2009 The SABER Method Edged Weapon Defense/Tactical Duty Knife Course
was also officially recognized by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety (P.O.S.T.
Equivalent)

Raven Tactical International is now proud to offer our courses to Law Enforcement Officers
in Colorado and New Mexico with full state approval. Special thanks to Jerry Lavich, and
Officer Stephan Orr for all of their help in pursuing POST Certification. Their contributions
were invaluable.

13

This December the St. Louis chapter of the

Guardian Angels came to Chicago to be trained by
members of the Chicago Chapter on patrol tactics
and Defensive Tactics. Raven Chief instructor
Fernan Vargas taught the St. Louis Crew the
RAVEN Guardian Defensive Tactics System. The
team learned a variety of techniques such as
control & compliance holds, team arrest tactics and
situational self defense.

Hats off to these patrol members who

traveled along way to train with our
chapter. We hope that the training will
serve them well and that we will see
them again in the near future!!

14

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO JOIN

OUR TEAM LET US KNOW!! THE RAVEN METHOD IS
ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS WHO HAVE A
SINCERE DEDICATION TO PROMOTING REALISTIC AND
PRACTICAL SELF PROTECTION SKILLS.

15

JANUARY
CHICAGO ILLINOIS
JANUARY 9TH 2010
RAVEN METHOD TACTICAL BATON BASIC CERTIFICATION COURSE

CERTIFICATION
THOSE
*INSTRUCTOR CERTIFIC
ATION AVAILABLE TO T
HOSE WHO QUALIFY.
SAN ANTONIO TEXAS
JANUARY 16TH & 17TH 2010
S.A.B.E.R. METHOD EDGED WEAPON DEFENSE & TACTICAL DUTY KNIFE CERTIFICATION COURSE

CERTIFICATION
THOSE
*INSTRUCTOR CERTIFIC
ATION AVAILABLE TO T
HOSE WHO QUALIFY.
CHICAGO ILLINOIS
JANUARY 23RD 2010
S.A.B.E.R. METHOD TACTICAL DUTY KNIFE CERTIFICATION COURSE

CERTIFICATION
THOSE
*INSTRUCTOR CERTIFIC
ATION AVAILABLE TO T
HOSE WHO QUALIFY.
ADDISON ILLINOIS
JANUARY 31ST 2010
S.A.B.E.R. METHOD TACTICAL DUTY KNIFE CERTIFICATION COURSE

FEBRUARY
ST. PETERSBURG FLORIDA
SOUTHEASTERN PUBLIC SAFETY INSTITUTE @ ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE
FEBRUARY 11TH 2010
S.A.B.E.R. METHOD EDGED WEAPON CERTIFICATION COURSE

CERTIFICATION
AVAILABLE
RAVEN
*INSTRUCTOR CERTIFIC
ATION AV
AILABLE TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY. CONTACT R
AVEN TACTICAL
INTERNATIONAL
DETAILS.
INTERN
ATIONAL HQ FOR DETAI
LS.

ST. PETERSBURG FLORIDA

SOUTHEASTERN PUBLIC SAFETY INSTITUTE @ ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE
FEBRUARY 12TH 2010
RTS GUARDIAN LAW ENFORCEMENT DEFENSIVE TACTICS CERTIFICATION COURSE

CERTIFICATION
THOSE
CONTACT
TACTICALL
*INSTRUCTOR CERTIFIC
ATION AVAILABLE TO T
HOSE WHO QUALIFY. C
ONTACT RAVEN TACTICA
INTERNATIONAL HQ FOR DETAILS.

16

MARCH
COLORADO SPRINGS COLORADO
FT. CARSON MILITARY BASE SAN ANTONIO TEXAS
MARCH 20TH 2010
S.A.B.E.R. METHOD TACTICAL DUTY KNIFE BASIC CERTIFICATION COURSE
P.O.S.T. CERTIFIED COURSE

*MILITARY PERSONNEL ONLY

BROOMFIELD COLORADO
MARCH 21ST 2010
S.A.B.E.R. METHOD TACTICAL DUTY KNIFE BASIC CERTIFICATION COURSE
P.O.S.T. CERTIFIED COURSE

LEO,, SECURITY AND RTI M

MEMBERS
*OPEN TO ONLY TO LEO
EMBERS
HOUSTON TEXAS
DARK GIFT COMBAT ACADEMY
MARCH 27TH
RTS FIREARM RETENTION AND DISARMING BASIC CERTIFICATION COURSE

CERTIFICATION
THOSE
*INSTRUCTOR CERTIFIC
ATION AVAILABLE TO T
HOSE WHO QUALIFY.
HOUSTON TEXAS
HOUSTON COMBAT ARTS ACADEMY
MARCH 28TH
RAVEN METHOD CQDT PHASE ONE BASIC CERTIFICATION COURSE

CERTIFICATION
THOSE
*INSTRUCTOR CERTIFIC
ATION AVAILABLE TO T
HOSE WHO QUALIFY.

APRIL
WHEELING ILLINOIS
ILEETA CONFERENCE
APRIL 19TH 24TH
S.A.B.E.R. METHOD EDGED WEAPON DEFENSE INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION COURSE

MAY
PHILADELPHIA PA
MAY 1ST 2010
DOUBLE IMPACT SEMINAR KNIFE & BATON
W/ INSTRUCTOR DAVID DANTONIO

17

In November Raven Tactical International entered into a

strategic partnership with Homeland Protection Inc.
Homeland protection Inc. is a company based out of
Colorado which specializes a variety of security and Executive
protection assignments. Homeland Protection Inc. provides a
full range of stationary security services, including DVSA
(Digital Voice Stress Analysis), and all types of close
protection or bodyguard services, as
well as other personal services from a
single courier, or agent, to multiple
agent/team assignments. Homeland
protection Inc. has officially adopted the
Raven method as the training program of
choice for its operatives. The Raven method will also be offered to
clients of Home Land Protection Inc.

November saw a special class in the

Chicago Land area. I was pleased to teach
a special closed door Instructor Only Knife
Combatives Seminar. In attendance were
Officer Stan Brown of the Chicago Police
Department, Martial Arts Grand Master
and former Green Beret Julio Ortiz, Cook
County Deputy Sheriff J. Allen Novak,
Raven Level IV Instructor George Tellez and
Raven Level I Instructor Martina
Horokova. Working with a group of
instructors is a blast because we get to run
through a lot of material at a much faster
pace. We worked on edged weapons
defense as well as a series of forward and
reverse grip tactics. All in all a great time!
18

Now is your opportunity to take

advantage of our New Instructor
Bridge Program. For a limited time
RTI will grandfather in select
candidates as Level One Tactical
Baton Instructors. In order to be
considered for the instructor
credential applicants must hold a
valid and current instructor
certification in ASP, MEB, or similar
Police Baton Method. Valid instructor
Certification in other Stick Fighting
Systems such as Kali or Arnis may be
considered on a case by case basis.
Candidates accepted into the program
must provide proof of valid existing
certification and must also successfully
complete a comprehensive written
examination. The cost for this
program until January 31st is $45.00.
The course will not be offered after January 31st in this format.
INSTRUCTORS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM WILL RECEIVE THE
FOLLOWING:

1. Level One Tactical Baton Instructor Certificate

2. $25.00 flat fee on tuition any time the instructor chooses to
take a Baton Refresher Course
3. Electronic Tactical Baton Level One Manual
4. Level One Course Certification Exam, Outlines, Registrations and
other support documents.

CONTACT [email protected] FOR DETAILS

19

By Fernan Vargas:
Vargas: RAVEN Method Chief Instructor

WHAT IS THE IRON GUARD?

The IRON GUARD is a defensive posture and related skill set taught in the R.A.V.E.N.
Method. The IRON GUARD relies heavily on the use of the elbows for both defense and
offensive . The physical application and inspiration for the skill set come from Afrikan
Martial arts and Raja Hati Silat. The guard is named the IRON GUARD because when
executed correctly it provides the Defender with a cast Iron defense against on coming
attacks. The tool is nothing new. It has been around for ages in one form or another from

one art to another. We have simply named it for our purposes and codified a series of
Mini--System of Defense
related skills into a concise Mini
The IRON GUARD is adopted at a certain point in the physical conflict cycle. In the
early phase a combatant would adopt a more traditional Open guard as illustrated in
figure A

OPEN GUARD:
This Open Stance has many practical values. This
posture creates both a physical barrier and a
perceived barrier for the attacker. The open hands
give the appearance of a defensive posture rather
than an offensive posture. Although an offense is
easily mounted from the Open Guard, the true
strength lies in its non-offensive Look. By not
appearing offensive in nature the defender can
facilitate de-escalation tactics while still being very
prepared for physical conflict.

The IRON
IRON GUARD on the contrary is adopted later in the Physical conflict cycle. This is
where the IRON
IRON GUARD is strongest. The IRON GUARD provides a person with a
simple gross motor defensive system which is extremely easy to apply under real life
20

combat stress. The beauty of the IRON GUARD is that only a few simple movements
provides a protective shell like no other. One with defensive and offensive capabilities.
To begin using the IRON GUARD the defender should bring their hands palms in and
place them on their head. This creates a very tight guarded position. Now, the hands do
not stay here in a static manner. The hands will stay close to the head and will slide up
and down and right to left as needed to defend.

When the hands slide back the elbows are brought foreword. The hand cups the back of
the defenders neck in an effort to protect the base of the skull.

In order to make the Defense work correctly the Defender must also press his or her
forearm close to his temple. By keeping the forearm tight to the head the defender
prevents getting hit by his own arm when he receives the attackers impact.

21

The tip of your elbow should also close inward to your center line. As seen in the first
photo below the tip of the elbow is in alignment with the tip of your nose. This allows the
proper positioning to defend not just against circular attacks such as a haymaker or a hook,
but also against linear attacks such as the jab or cross. As mentioned before the technique
works equally well against circular or linear attacks. Here we will examine some common
defenses form the IRON GUARD.
Note that it does not matter what hand the attacker strikes with or what hand you guard
with. Any combination of same side or opposite sides will work fine as long as you
remember to bring the tip of the elbow to your center line (Tip of your nose) and turn in
to meet the attack. All you have to do is RAISE THE GUARD! Everything else will fall into
place. Do not try to seek one specific defense. The attackers speed, and your own will
determine which defense comes into play. You can count on the fact that one of the three
variations will come into play be it the SPIKE, The SHIELD or the LIFT That is the
beauty of the Defense.

EARLY PHASE
In the early phase the Defender raises his guard before the attackers arm reaches full
extension. In the early phase we use the elbows for a SHIELD. The SHIELD is executed
by raising your elbow, clasping the back of your neck and turning slightly inward. By
doing so your forearm and bicep compress together forming a SHIELD.
SHIELD The attackers fist
then will be absorbed on this SHIELD.
SHIELD

22

The SHIELD

Vargas ccreates
reates a SHIELD to absorb Nunezs attack.

MIDDLE PHASE
A middle phase defense occurs when the Defender raises his guard at the same time that
the attackers arm is reaching extension towards your head. In the Middle phase we use the
elbows for a limb destruction that we call the SPIKE. The SPIKE is executed by raising
your elbow at virtually the same time as the attackers arm is reaching extension. This will
effectively allow his fist to run into your elbow. You will feel pressure from the attack but
the Pain will definitely be on the bad guys end.

The SPIKE

Vargas Executes a SPIKE Against Nunezs Attack

23

Vargas uses a DOUBLE SPIKE to counter Nunezs Haymaker.

When executing the SPIKE
SPIKE against a circular attack we prefer to raise both hands to a
double guard. The double guard offers a unique bonus. When raising both arms we need
not worry which hand the attacker uses. Be it right or left, we are protected. Now note
that when using the SPIKE against a circular attack we are not destroying the attackers
hand but rather, we advance forward directly into the attacker himself. Do not pre-occupy
yourself with targets. Simply raise the DOUBLE SPIKE and move forward with a drop
step to transfer your weight. Your elbows will land on different targets depending on the
height relationship of the Defender and the Attacker. You may hit the face, neck, sternum,
etc. Whatever target you hit in this fashion will have devastating results.

LATE PHASE
In this instance the Defender is late in
raising his guard. The attackers arm is
already reaching extension towards your
head. In the late phase we use the elbows
for a LIFT. The LIFT is executed by
raising your elbow from underneath your
attackers extended arm. Your forearm will
find its way underneath his forearm.
When you slide your elbow upwards and
grab the back of your neck, the motion
will LIFT the attackers arm upwards.
This will take the attackers attack offline
with your face. The attack now will
simply flow over your head without
causing you any harm.

The LIFT

Vargas Executes a LIFT as a late phase

Defense against Nunez

www.RAVENTACTICAL.COM
24

By James Smith: Great Plains Regional Director

I recently attended a Police/Security Officers training and was dumb

founded by the teaching of the instructor. He showed videos of attacks
and stated all of what the people in these attacks did wrong and stated
how the techniques he was teaching would have "saved" these people.
The problem was he was using the same old unrealistic training that
has gotten many a good guy hurt. You know the ones had start with
you in your fighting stance in a situation that you have control of,
against only one person who is your equal or smaller.
He acted like you will always be in your ready stance and be prepared for an attack. We
all wished that was how it worked.
The video I remember most was two police officers being attacked by a mental patient.
The patient came running out of the hospital room pushes officer #1 down and bites officer
#2 in the face as he takes officer #2 to the ground. Officer #1 takes out his Taser and fires at
the attacker from a few feet away and misses. The attacker then turns back on officer
#1 and goes for their gun. Officer #1 fights the attacker off with the help
of officer #2 that got back in the fight and is bleeding bad from the bite on their face.
The patient breaks away for the officers and runs. The two officers chase down the attacker
and bring him into custody.
OK yes the officers were caught off guard but we can not see what the attacker was doing
before the attack because he is off camera. Was he laying in bed? Telling the officers how
he wanted help? Jumping up and down yelling and screaming? We will never know
because we were not there. What we can do is look at what we watched go wrong and
what went right.
First, Officer #1 had most likely trained that all fights start when you are ready. Wrong!
Train with what will happen in real life. From natural stances and from losing postures and
with people of all different sizes.
Officer #1 missing at point blank range with a Taser. Training? Maybe , but as we all
know things go wrong in a fight. If you did everything right you would not be in a fight.

25

Officer #2 Why were the two officer so close together. If have more than one person in
your group spread out a little. You will be more able to help each other if you have a
reactionary gap.
Now I get to the most important part of want I saw on the video and what I had to point
out to the class (after raising my hand of course) is that both officers kept fighting and least
one of them had very serious injuries. This is what wins fights. Things happen, tools fail,
and you get hurt but, you always finish the fight.
Where did the training I went to go wrong? Well first of all the instructor thought he had
all the answers. Always question what you are being told not because your instructor may
be full of it but because what works for one person does not work for the next. Try what
you are being taught under different situations and with different people. If it works great.
If not try something different.
Once a conflict starts you have only one obligation and that is to go home at the end of
it. To some folks that maybe fighting long enough to get clear and bug out. To others that
have a responsibility to their job (Law Enforcement/Military) or the people with them it
may mean fighting till the attacker is no longer a threat.
If a fight starts do what you need to do and then go home and kiss your family

26

By Eric Kaplan: RAVEN Method Level I Instructor

Since the dawn of man survival has been his most

basic instinct. Thousand of years ago man was most
likely just as pissed off and easily agitated as we often
are nowadays yet something has changed as centuries
passed: Man has lost touch with his primal instinct
that is an evolutionary part of his genetic makeup.
Now this is not to imply that this loss of primal
instinct hasnt lead to other achievements. As the
human species has developed we have learned how
to live with one another for the sake of safety and
production. Where once man lived alone and then
with his tribe, now we live in cramped cities yet by
joining together we have prospered in communication, medicine, technology, etc.
However, somewhere in all this development we have lost a sense of instinct that once
enabled us to survive the cruel conditions and harsh adversaries who were after the same
resources as us.
We have become rational, using intellect as a compass that has inevitably steered us away
from the once primal instincts that protected us. But one might say that those primal
instincts were for barbarian times and physical violence is not needed to the same degree
with which they once were. However, anyone knows that in reality, be it for the caveman
or the college students, the warrior or the waitress, violence is an often-unavoidable aspect
of everyday life. To become numb and helpless only enables one to become an easy target
for an attack whether it is physical or mental.
One must choose in this claustrophobic world
whether to become a sheep or a wolf. To become a
sheep is the easier choice to make. It requires
nothing more than being frozen by fear, seeking the
comfort of other scared individuals until a unit is
formed devoid of any individuality at all. To
become a wolf, one should have a true connection
with the primal instinct that resides in them. Most of
us have experienced moments in life when our anger
has unleashed an animal side to our nature. It is
liberating in that we take the bull by the horns and
make our own choices, be it gouging an attackers
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eye out or standing up to some opposing presence in your work life or every day world.
Yet many of us become concerned and timid when this nature shows itself and we try to
turn away from it. We decide to be the victim because we are so scared of ourselves that
we become ashamed of what our evolutionary instincts show us about ourselves. While it
is not advisable to unleash your inner wolf (scorpion, bull, Jedi whatever you wish to
call it) when the risk of jail time or ruining your life is possible, we should not shy away
from our natural protective tendencies.
In the annals of psychology there is an interesting
diagnosis that comes into play in our discussion.
Lycanthropy is a psychosis when one believes that they
transform into a wolf (other animals such as dogs and
even fish have been documented but wolves are the
predominant feature in most cases). While this most
likely sounds outlandish and truly insane to most
people, it does illustrate how a modern person believes
that they transform into an instinctual animal. The
interesting element in this is the belief of changing into
an animal. It is almost as if an individual has become
directly in touch with his unconscious primordial
instincts and has let them take over his or her self.
While lycanthropy is an extreme example it does have its merit in that we should all be
able to connect with out instincts as they will be the only remaining trustworthy avenues
we have when faced with unpleasant encounters. Perhaps those who suffer from this
psychosis are too far-gone into their own unconscious but to be completely devoid of such
animalistic tendencies is welcoming danger into your life by ignoring the impulses that keep
us safe and wearing blinders when faced with reality.
Being able to control the animal within takes practice. For some of us, the animal can come
out at moments notice and we wind up cuffed in the back of a squad car even if we were
the good guy. For others, there seems to be too much rationality and over thinking
polluting our instincts and preventing us from taking action when action is what needs to
taken. Close Quarter Combat drills and scenarios are helpful in letting an individual deal
with violent encounters in a safe environment but will it translate into the real world? I
know martial artists who are impressive in dojos but clueless on the streets. Getting in
touch with the animal side to our natures is the way to not only awaken the instincts but
also protect us in a real life attack. Remember, in real life, the bad guy wont wait
around while you set up for the devastating side kick you pull off in class The enemy will
not pause while you decide if an elbow or hammer fist will be the best method to defend
yourself. Real life encounter are ugly instances in which most of the time, your training
routines will go out the window. It is a situation where you have to channel your own
wolf to destroy the threat facing you. But it must be controlled unless you want to end up
legal trouble and police records.
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We all know people who are ready to fight at a moments notice and like to be perceived
as tough guys. Yet they are not an example of getting in touch and controlling our primal
instincts. We have to make a distinction between defending yourself out of necessity and
defending yourself due to ego. The former is almost always legally safe and most
importantly imperative to survival. The latter is due to ego, which results in stupid acts of
bravado (and possibly you getting your ass kicked) because you let someone get under
your skin and control you emotionally. Without going into reasons why one should not
fight due to a bruised ego, it should be noted that seldom is an encounter unavoidable
when it due to ego. Most often the asshole that gets under your skin only makes you an
asshole as well by driving you down to his level. Another guy checking out your girlfriend
or some idiot behind the wheel is not a sufficient reason to box his ears, but someone
trying to physically invade your space with malicious intent justifies letting the wolf inside
you have at it. So dont be an idiot and let the small stuff get you raging, but when the
threat is real do not hesitate to let your animal instincts tear them apart. While the physical
aspects of self-defense receive the abundance of the spotlight, the psychology and mindset
of an individual is what will separate the survivors from the victims. A good instructor will
spend as much time on training drills and scenarios as he will on the importance of
mindset.
It is also imperative to note the legality that can often accompany a violent encounter.
Once again, the ego must be in check and if someone is too easily resorting to violence
then they should not be admitted into a good CQC instructors course. The temporary
thrill of dominating an adversary is nothing compared to the legal ramifications that will
put you in a courtroom and possibly in jail. Someone who suffers from lycanthropy has no
control over their instincts yet we, as normal functioning people do. It is imperative to
understand that many times it is best to walk away from an encounter and not let pride
control you. When its time to unleash the animal inside (when there is no avenue to
escape or personal space in invaded with malicious intent) then you must be able to reach
down and become possessed instantly in order to survive.

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By Officer Guru James W. Hogue: Kansas State Director

In my many years in security and law-enforcement I have heard many things about
defensive tactics that was interesting and some just wrong and even suicidal. In this day
and age of making your own art to make a lot of money with their on ideas of defensive
tactics coming from people that never earned the right to pin on a badge or really
understands the needs of the customer (Police Officers, Correctional Officers, Security
Personnel, Military Personnel, and so on).
Grappling and MMA is the big thing to train soldiers in right now. It was hitting the Army
while I was in the military. I heard how great the system was and it the ultimate way of
fighting. Now dont get me wrong, BJJ and MMA is a very good system and method of
fighting but it has its weaknesses. Unless you know what they are and accept these
weaknesses you are in trouble. The young sergeant was telling me how he took the entire
16 hour grappling course and it could defeat my method because it was the ultimate
system. I laughed because I studied Greco Wrestling, Shoot Fighting, Dumog, and other
methods since 1987 and this kid can defeat me after 16 hours.
After our first match and I tapped him out in a few seconds, I
told him to put on his body armour, his LBV (Load Bearing
Vest), his helmet, and sling his M4 riffle. Of course I didnt
put these things on and I told him to use his ultimate fighting
system. Of course he had a lot more problems than before
because he was carrying 75 80lbs more bulky equipment
on. He couldnt move well and his movement was hampered
by the big ceramic plates in the front and rear of his vest. The
M4 riffle really stopped how he can roll because of the riffle
being across his body. The barrel would stop him one way
and the butt end would stop him from rolling the other way
(His M4 butt stock wasnt collapsed). I also used his M4
barrel as a lever to roll him back to his left. I blinded him by
putting his helmet over his eye, and strangled him with the sling of his riffle. I had no
problem moving because I was playing an Iraqi Enemy Soldier that did wear all of that.
Needless to say that training in these arts is very important to be a well rounded fighter,
but realize there are times you dont want to go to the ground. How do I know, I was a
soldier, I wore these items in Iraq and I knew how it made weaknesses in my art.
These same problems are happening in the field of law-enforcement. In 1989 when I went
through security school at 19 years old I was taught Kung Fu moves that would have taken
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a long time to learn and prefect if I was the average security officer. Most security and
even police officers see defensive tactics as something they have to learn, not they need to
learn. Officers, will learn the tactics in the academy and will never practice it again. When I
went through the Police Academy and the tactics where better but I felt it was lacking a lot
of realism. I should know realism, I bounced in bars for seven years and many times I was
the only security there. At 58 I had to physically throw guys out twice my size, so I know
realism.
Defensive tactics should be a simple, straight forward method of fighting. Teaching skills
that are gross motor. I wouldnt teach a set of hand trapping to an Officer because hand
traps dont work the way they do in the classroom, and it takes months, not minutes to
prefect. The Officer will just forget them as soon as they leave. Now, if I teach them how
to deflect the attackers hand downward splits second after
they raise them, they will remember this. Another good hand
trap is to jam the attackers hands and tie-up their hands is
also something they can remember even though they dont
practice.
Traditional Karate blocks are no good in the real world
because they are too hard and rigid. Stiff and rigid blocks
arent very practical for combinations of hand and/or feet
attacks. Open handed blocks is faster and more flex in
defending yourself. A lot of Kung Fu and Silat systems use a
lot of block involving grabbing punches out of the air. I have
a $100 bill to anyone that can grab every punch out of the air
against an attacker of my choosing. One thing, they will be
trying to hit you and if you miss, youll get hit. Inside and
outside slap blocks are more direct and simple, and they
work. Will you still get hit? YES, ITS A FIGHT!!!
FIGHT What is the
best block, the block that stops you from getting hit.
The biggest problem with Officers on the street is what the
MMA and BJJ guys say, Everyone has a fighting method until
you get hit for real. Officers that get hit are raddled and they shut down instead of
fighting. You need to know what it feels like to get hit. Even though I get hit, I keep
fighting because if you hurt them, they will be raddled and shut down. You will get hurt
less if you take the fight to them like a spider monkey on meth with much better
techniques. Realistic fighting with head gear, MMA gloves, chest protector, and mouth
guard will lessen chances of getting hurt but still give you the idea of actually being hit.
However, sparring with MMA glove and mouth guard only is the best way to train but it
can also put you out of work with injuries.
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Lets examine the basics of a hard strike. First, you need to have a good base in order to
get balance so you turn your hips and body. Then you have to extend your arm to punch
with your fist. If anyone one of these is missing you will not be able to throw a powerful
strike. In the Malay Fighting Arts we have jamming techniques and stop kick to break the
attackers base and balance. We also have a technique called Tida Mano (Push Hands). This
is where we will shove someone with one or two hand then go into a takedown or strike.
His will off set them and hinder them from striking for a second. This isnt a knock out
technique, but it is a time buying technique. Sapu (Standing foot sweep) work great to off
set an attacker. Whatever you do you must disrupt one of these techniques use to throw a
punch and counter immediately.

Do you ever wish that you can read their mind to know what they are going to do before
they do it? Here is what to watch for. If the attacker shifts his weight onto their left foot
and then their shoulder move toward you, this is a sign of a right punch. However, if they
shift their weight to their left foot and their left shoulder comes to you, it a strike with the
left hand. Now for the kicks, if the attacker shifts their weight to their left foot and leans
back it a right kick. If they shift they shift their weight to their right foot and leans back, its
a left kick. You have to spot these signs and there are no guarantees that you will come out
on top. This does take a long time to develop but at these you know what to watch for.
So let recap this article, Officers need realistic, simple, and direct method of fighting.
Officer needs to know what its like to get hit and not freeze when they are hit. Blocks and
taking one of the elements that enables your attacker to throw a powerful strike away
from them. Finally, train yourself how to notice the slight signs of their body movement to
tell what they are going to do. My favorite quote comes from the Japanese Samurai Budo,
A warrior that goes into battle expecting to die will be more victorious than a warrior
that goes into battle hoping to live. For our purposes, an Officer that goes into a fight
expecting to get hit and accepting that fact will be victorious over a person not wanting to
get hit.

Be Safe My Brothers and Sisters in Blue.

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By Rob Marks:
Marks: Certified Raven Method Edged Weapons Instructor
This is the follow up to the much appraised article I have a
weapon... so Im good. No, really people said they liked
it umm okay it was my wife, but that still counts right?
Anyhow, believe me when I say these criminals are able to
function under stress with adrenaline dumping, because they
do it daily. They are combat ready due to their on the job
training program. Granted, their techniques might not look
pretty (side note here I believe in combat you should only
look good by accident just overwhelm them dont wow them with your awesome
technique) but still tends to be quite effective because it has been tested on the streets in
real time. They train everyday, so should you? They have seen this scenario before
essentially been there done that. So, you need to make sure you have too. Immerse
yourself in scenario after scenario whether it be rape, carjacking, robbery, home invasion
etc. try to make you mind and body feel it is as real as possible thus reducing the distress
factor once your actually there and so that your mind is able to recall that scenario thus
preventing any delay in your response
Now, obviously there are limitations since you cant really do what they do. All I am
saying though is that you should become criminal minded and explore those options
through conflict immersion. Again, this is not rocket surgery you must make every attempt
to replicate a real world situation in all aspects of your training if not you might as well be
doing a sport art. No disrespect intended but it is what it is.
Rob Marks is a certified SABER Method Instructor and has 18 years experience teaching
teaching and
training in various martial systems: Close Quarters Combat, Defensive Tactics, I.M.P.A.C.T.
Method, Jeet Kune Do, Kali, O.F.T, R.A.T., Reality Based Combatives

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Most of you who know me know of my affiliation with the Redfeather Family and the
Apache knife Ghost Dog System. In fact many of you refer to me as the "Apache Knife
guy".
Well, the time has come for my road to part ways with the Ghost Dog system. This was a
decision which required a tremendous amount of soul searching. In fact it took me over
two years of deliberation to come to this decision.
It was an important decision and for that reason I feel that it is important to clarify a few
things to the public regarding the break.
First of all let me say that although I have had the privilege to train with MANY great knife
instructors, I must say that the Redfeather family system was always my primary Knife
system. It has become so ingrained in me that I look at and train all other knife systems
using the Ghost Dog system as a point of reference. It is one of the greatest knife programs
I have ever seen and Robert Redfeather as a practitioner transcends talent to another level.
I can honestly say that I have seen only 2 other knife practitioners who comes close to his
level of skill in knife on knife combat.
The Redfeather brothers, Robert and Ralph are also very kind, and supportive. They are
my friends and I view Robert like an uncle. I will always be loyal to them even though I
am no longer part of the group. I also would highly recommend their training to
ANYONE. If you think you know some thing about knife fighting, I would tell you that
until you have tested it against the Ghost Dog systems top talent you cant be sure.
So why then did I choose to leave? Well the answer is complicated. It has many layers.
Some practical and some much more personal. The simplest answer I can give to everyone
is this. Some practitioners and instructors are content to teach something as taught to them.
They accept it, they dont change it, they pass it on as is.
For others, training is a creative Endeavour. If we are not creating we are not happy. I am
one of those people. Now you may ask, if Apache knife is so great why leave it? Are you
creating something better?
Well the answer is this. I have no illusion that I am creating something better than the
Ghost Dog System. I am creating something personal. It is better in a sense, but only to
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myself. Within Raven Tactical International I am creating an edged weapons system that is
better for me. It is one that allows me to create, explore, improvise, improve, etc.
Also, our programs at Raven Tactical International have a different focus than the Ghost
Dog system. So Our programs are different. Now of course anyone can see the influence of
the apache system in our knife work. Is this stealing from the ghost dog system? of course
not. I believe strongly that the material taught to me by Robert Redfeather is correct.
Would it make sense for me to teach something incorrectly just because I am no longer
part of the Ghost Dog association? That would be ridiculous. Plus Apache Knife has
become part of me after almost a decade of training. So it is reasonable to say that If
RAVEN Edged weapons is my personal expression, carry over from all of my experiences
would appear in some form in my system. Remember however that i have trained to
varying degrees in Japanese, American, Canadian, Caribbean, Italian, Spanish, Filipino,
Apache, and Chinese Knife systems. I also Hold instructorships in Four Other knife systems
apart from the credentials I earned in the Ghost Dog System.
So Does the Raven Method Edged Weapons program contain material from Apache knife?
Sure it does, but it contains a wealth of other influences as well. I love the Ghost Dog
system, I respect it and honor it. You see this is one of the reasons I parted ways. Because I
can not explore, expand, create or change a time honored family system like the Ghost
Dog System. Out of respect I would never do that.
Raven on the other hand is mine, its liberating and free, for me to grow personally, to
make mistakes, to make progress, for good or bad RAVEN Method is all mine and at this
stage of my career and life that Is what I need.
---Vargas

VARGAS & ROBERT REDFEATHER

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