Excaliber wrote:Taking a life sounds and feels much better on a diet of action movies, beer, and potato chips consumed on the couch in front of the flat screen than it does on a diet of doing it for real in filthy abandoned buildings or the deserts of foreign countries. My observation over the years is that eagerness to have this experience is the unmistakable mark of someone who never has.
Eagerness is one thing and I agree with you there. Willingness is another thing entirely. Anyone who owns a gun for self defense should be willing to shoot a goblin, or they should reconsider their choice of tools.
I also think some trainers do their students a disservice by overemphasizing the possible negative psychological effects of a critical incident (or whatever the buzz word is these days). It's one thing to make someone aware of possible effects, so they can cope (or seek help) if they occur. It's another thing entirely to condition someone to suffer all those symptoms.
I was fortunate, in some respects, to not know. After the adrenaline hangover, my reaction was more Cooper than Ayoob (although I had not met either back then). Colors were brighter. Food tasted better. Beer was colder and women warmer. I did have occasional nightmares later, but talking helped and they eventually stopped.
It's not something I'm eager to do again, but in my experience it's much better than being a victim.
with wholeheartedly. I think I will be looking for some new reading material as well, thanks for the suggestion.
