FEATURED INSTRUCTOR

 

 
Name: John T. Goodman (JT)    
Age:  41
Contact: jtgoodman@triad.rr.com

Agency/Organization:  High Point Police Department
Occupation: Police Officer/Lieutenant
Years in LE/MIL: 17 1⁄2
Active/Retired:  Still Going!

Years in Martial Arts/Combatives and what kinds: 21 (began formal instruction in 1984).  I’ve trained pretty extensively in karate and ju-jitsu. I have also studied Wing Chun Kung Fu.

When did you start training with BTS and why:  I started with BTCMS in the Spring of 2002.  I had been a DT instructor for the PD since 1994, and I needed something to take us to the next level.  A buddy of mine found an article about Tony Blauer and got it to me.  I researched it a bit, told my bosses that this is where we needed to get to, the rest is history.

Which BTS classes have you attended:  I have been to:  Confined Space Combatives, S.P.E.A.R. Instructor Certification (x3), SPEAR Applications for the Gunfight and Ground Combatives, PDR Instructor Development (x3), PDR Camp (NY), Weapon Protection Instructor Certification, several Custom Combative Course (Ft. Bragg and DOE)

What aspect of the S.P.E.A.R. research has had the greatest impact on you:  The simplest but most profound, life changing aspect has been realizing that my body will protect itself, if I let it.  Knowing that, I am able to relax even more than before.  I deal with all walks of people in my job, every day.  I am able to be nicer to them, letting my personality come out more, because I don’t feel the need to get “Badge Heavy” with them, or having the “because I said so” attitude. I know the flinch is extremely fast, and extremely accurate; much more so than I could ever cognitively be. I rely on that fact (FAITH IN PHYSIOLOGY).   I have also done my homework, and if attacked, I know how to convert any flinch I may have to get to a tactical POD.

What is your favorite drill and why:  I used to have any easy answer, the Mirror Drill.  The main reason was because I liked working at and developing confidence in close proximity.  The more I train in the SPEAR System, I am understanding that it is not the Mirror Drill alone, but several different drills ‘lego-ing’ on top of each other to give total tactical confidence.  The ECT helps me pick up the pre-contact clues, even at close range, the diffuse vision drill helps me see the big picture and engaging the threat, LARD gives me the ability to respond on many different levels after weathering the attack.  So, the drills can be practiced independent of each other, but all are interdependent. (NEW) Now, even deeper into the System, I’m enjoying working the Sharpening/Dry Fire Drills.
 


Has your organization adopted the system? ~If so, why:  Yes, our H2H training is in SPEAR System.  A LOT of our SWAT Training is also influenced heavily by the System, as is the Hostage Rescue Unit, which I am also a member.  We have several officers who are SPEAR Certified Instructors, and although A LOT of the training is centered around the SPEAR Tactics, more importantly we are using the SPEAR teaching methodologies to help us convey not only H2H, but also Firearms and many other subjects.

Has it been used in the field? ~If so, please give an example:  Yes, Yes, Yes!  I have written in several uses, which are told to me weekly.  I quit writing on the Forum about them, thinking that other members would get tired of hearing same song and dance (with different players) and they might start thinking the stories are fabricated. They are NOT!  A recent one came from a Vice/Narcotic officer who is also a SWAT Team member (= xtra SPEAR Training).  He had not had the opportunity as of yet to use the SPEAR.  His opportunity came when he was on point in a Search Warrant, and encountered a 6’6 400+ pounder in the hallway.  He hit the guy full speed, outside 90, and knocked the behemoth over. Afterwards, he was walking around, holding his arm up in the classic hand open, + 90, saying, “This shit works!”  We use it weekly, primarily on Search warrants to quickly get people under control.

Has the Counter-Ambush research from the S.P.E.A. R. Course affected your confidence and training:  As mentioned earlier, it has affected me monumentally in the area of relaxation.  The more relaxed I am, the faster I can move, the quicker I am able to think.  I know my body is going to protect itself, I just have to be able to convert the flinch into something tactical.  

Have you had a chance to use High Gear: Yes, I have used it quite a bit. I also have, now, the MCT helmet cover and have used that quite a bit as the BAD GUY in our SIMS training.

How did you hear about High Gear:  I used it in the CSC class back in the spring of 2002.  We were doing Gauntlet drills in an activity bus, in 95-degree heat under a Florida sun. Awesome training.
 
What do you like most about it:  I like how it allows movement.  We had/have 3 Redman Suits, that provide great protection, if you are a punching bag.  To be a good BG, the Redman doesn’t allow movement that is congruous to the fight.  It is easier to feel (some) pain and react, than no pain and guessing. The High Gear, being an impact reduction suit, allows the transfer of energy and (some) pain, so I can give the GG (as a good role player) the correct reactions.  This allows him to track me, ‘programming in’ the right thing.

How many High Gear suits do you own:  I personally own one, with a Coach’s Chest Guard on the way.  I was able to get our Department to order 6, and am in the process of getting them to order 4 more.  This would give us a good size OPFOR on the SWAT team, to be role players.

Any other thoughts:  If you don’t have the suit, bust the piggy banks, check the car consoles and doors panels for all your spare change, and get one.  It will change the way you train, and the way you perceive combat.  There is no more versatile suit on the market, allowing total movement and able to be used with FX Training.

Personal thoughts or closing comments:  I have been around the martial arts fairly heavy since 1984.  I love the discipline they promote along with many other virtues.  I never knew, until I started training with BTS what the hell I was missing.  At first, it scared the crap out of me, cause all those years with false sense of security.  After getting through that, I found my prior training has helped me, because it gives me a deeper toolbox to get to after ‘bridging’ the gap from the surprise attack.  I’ve had to unlearn “karate feet” and “kung fu hands”, but I believe I am a more complete combative fighter, and a much better person now.  The simple notion of the “BG controls the fight”, has transferred over to my personal life also.  By realizing and accepting this, I have also learned that the majority of confrontations I was having in my personal life were from me trying to control people.  It doesn’t work that way.  The only thing a person can control is themselves.  The more confidence you have in yourself, the more control you have of yourself.  BTS has given me that confidence.  The SPEAR System is organic; adapting and growing, so as the person inside the System adapts and grows!
 
The deeper I get into the “rabbit hole” the deeper it gets. You/I eventually get to the point where you don’t look for the end, but just enjoy the ride. The SPEAR System being so organic/so alive, it’s constantly evolving and it’s been a pleasure/privilege to be a part of the process.
 
Police Officer John Goodman is also one of our CORE trainers and travels nationally with our mobile training unit which provides SPEAR System programs to the law enforcement, military and private sector. To reach John for training in North Carolina email him at john.goodman@blauertacticaL.com