(photo by Sharon Walker)
Instructor Sgt. John O’Dell demonstrates what an easy mark he thinks Carolyn Grant is during a self defense class. He had told Grant how to avoid becoming a victim, and she was in the process of stomping his foot. Other serious damage by Grant, an FMMC Child Development Center employee, quickly followed the minor foot-stomping.
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Troops from the Florida Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery make the term ‘‘citizen-Soldier” come to life.
The unit is deployed to the National Capital Region with the mission of providing support to homeland defense as part of Operation Noble Eagle.
Training in aspects of being a citizen and being a Soldier is what they do all the time, said Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Grant Slayden, from Tallahassee, Fla. The unit trains on some aspect of soldiering every day they’re here, he said.
So, in addition to doing some very interesting training as air defenders, the unit provides life skills training to unit members which they try to share with the ‘‘locals,” whoever that may be.Two Soldiers, Sgt. John O’Dell from Daytona Beach, Fla., and Sgt. David Bryce from Arcadia, Fla., planned, designed and delivered a self defense course at Fort Myer Jan. 19.
The two ‘‘showed initiative,” said Battery Commander Capt. Josh Walker, from Orlando, Fla. ‘‘They took advantage of available resources, bettering the company and the whole community. ‘‘We are blessed to have people from Florida of this caliber.”
The whole community, unfortunately, did not get the word in time, but the 265th wants to present the self defense class again on a week day and even on a Saturday with plenty of advance notice. Public response supports a repeat performance.
‘‘These Soldiers put this together. We’re in an urban environment here, and they wanted to do this along with using their ADA skills,” said Slayden.
The course, attended by unit members and about 12 area personnel, began with some basics aimed at avoiding trouble.
‘‘It’s too late when it’s physical,” said O’Dell. He held both hands up, palms out and as he backed up, said ‘‘Hey, I didn’t mean to step on your toes buddy. Sorry.” Sometimes that works, he said. ‘‘Know how to act to prevent a reaction.”
Other tips include:
Don’t march home the same way twice
Use the buddy system always – never go anywhere alone.
Look around you and be aware of your environment.
‘‘We’re used to a computer screen and its virtual environment,” said Bryce. ‘‘Muggers are in real time.”
‘‘Let me tell you the story of the old bull and the young bull,” said the venerable O’Dell. ‘‘There was a fight trying to start up, and the young bull said ‘Let’s get ‘em!’
‘‘The old bull grabbed me,” he said, drawing laughter.
O’Dell admitted that in his younger days he was too willing to jump into the fray. But after some living experiences, he said he’s tried to change his tune.
Still. ‘‘Walk like you belong there. Don’t shuffle along with your head bowed,” O’Dell advised, urging those assembled not to adapt the mantle of victim.
Also, pay attention to the ‘‘hair coming up on back of your neck,” he said, ‘‘or the gut feeling,”
If you have valuables and it’s clear someone wants them, ‘‘Give it up. What’s an MP3 player worth?” he asked.
Keep a ‘‘mugger’s allowance,” of spare money you’re willing to give up, the group was told. Also, keep telephone numbers for unit, platoon sergeant, first sergeant, squad leader, bank and family available so you can call them right away.
Participants were urged not to wear provocative clothing.
Friends watch out for one another, the presentation stressed. Always have a designated driver who will keep an eye on, among other things, false bravado.
‘‘I like to show I’m big and bad,” O’Dell said. ‘‘Not smart.”
Travelers were urged to make pre-trip inspections of vehicles; checking the lug nuts, tires and making sure the gas tank was no less than half full.
Lt. Lynsey Yoder from West Palm Beach, Fla., joined the men on the stage at the Town Hall and demonstrated some Brazilian jujitsu.
‘‘Remember you are a Soldier first and do everything to represent that and all it means,” Yoder told the group.
‘‘But, when you know someone intends to harm you, maintain the high ground,” she urged. ‘‘Fight with all you’ve got. Yell, scream, whatever it takes, and fight to live, because at that point someone wants to take your life from you.”
Rape is a power play, O’Dell said, and can cause lifelong, tragic scars. Yoder agreed that rape is a soul-killing if not life-ending event.
Fort Myer Military Community Historian Kim Holien was a guest speaker at the morning event. He briefed the visitors on the history of the post and gave them a walking tour of post, including the The Old Guard Museum and the Caisson stables.
Look for information in the Pentagram for upcoming self defense classes.
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