Synergy: (from the Greeksyn-ergo, συνεργός meaning working together) refers to the phenomenon in which two or more discrete influences or agents acting together create an effect greater than that predicted by knowing only the separate effects of the individual agents.
 
About a year ago I checked onboard the Navy’s newest Helicopter Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (HVBSS) Team. Having been involved with VBSS for 3 years prior I realized that the training we received was quite inadequate. The Navy has since changed its initial VBSS training pipeline which was good, but still lacked in some fundamental areas. Thus began my Quest, I have spent countless hours searching for an advanced training pipeline that would bring our skills to a higher level. What I realized was it wasn’t the advanced skills we lacked, but a foundation of skills we could build on.

SKILL #1: Crossfit – “Functional Movement Constantly varied and executed at High Intensity,” – Coach Glassman

I became a Crossfit Level I trainer in December 2006. I was introduced to Crossfit by John Brown former Navy SEAL and current owner of Crossfit Agoge and Instructor with I.C.E. Training. After experimenting with the program I realized I was getting a broader fitness level which made me stronger, faster, and able to withstand more operational punishment over a longer period of time. I slowly started spreading the program out to the Team and of course I witnessed the similar results. It’s not that my guys are “Elite” athletes, but they are well above average and continue to strive for better performance. These results came about by using the most basic CrossFit WODs. Learning to strengthen and condition the body based on the way we naturally move on a daily basis. We are more likely to find ourselves squatting, dead lifting and cleaning in our every day life rather than curling and leg extending. The bottom line is that we try to stay away from movements only seen in the gym and nowhere else in life; mainly because nature does not recognize or require our muscles to work in an isolated manner. (www.crossfit.com)
 

 
SKILL #2: S.P.E.A.R. System – “The study of the Human Body during fear, aggression, and violence” – Coach Blauer

With 20+ years of Martial Arts experience I was always concerned with the way that naval personnel were taught self-defense. We are exposed to basic strikes, takedowns, and cuffing procedures. These skills are necessary, but one dimensional in nature (Physical). Since my Team works in close quarters with tactical gear I believed we didn’t need sport driven techniques. We needed a system that spanned across three dimensions (Emotional, Psychological, and Physical) and was based on realistic self-defense. Through Rob Pincus, the owner of I.C.E. Training, I was exposed to Tony Blauer who developed the S.P.E.A.R. System (Spontaneous Protection Enabling Accelerated Response). As CrossFit addresses functional strength and conditioning concepts, the S.P.E.A.R. System addresses functional self -defense based on the science of the human body and mind. A big part of S.P.E.A.R. training is the missing link, Cerebral Self-Defense, a method on how to get your mind in the fight first. We all flinch; it is one of the movements that unite us. Startle flinch conversion teaches us to recognize that we will flinch when surprised and only after can we cogitate a way to deal with the opponent. The S.P.E.A.R. System also covers how to get our opponent off balance, buying us time to go to think about other techniques we can employ to subdue our attacker. A completed protective system that works well with what the body does naturally. (www.tonyblauer.com)
 

 
SKILL #3: Combat Focus Shooting – “An Intuitive Shooting Program designed to help the shooter respond more efficiently during a dynamic critical incident”

The second most important pieces of gear that I can think of are my firearms (the first is my brain). I.C.E. Instructor John Brown introduced Combat Focus Shooting to me through Rob Pincus’ book. As I read the book I was intrigued on how Rob explained shooting in relation to our natural reactions to a dynamic critical incident. I began experimenting with the fundamental drills on my own and saved up the money to attend an instructor course. We spend a lot of time on the range in my job, shooting in isolation for score. I introduced the shooting method to my Team and it all made sense. We became more efficient in the use of our pistol both in isolation and dynamically. The Combat Focus Shooting program helped us to put our training environment in a more realistic setting. We haven’t gone down range yet to put to test all of the things that we have trained on the range, but I am confident these skills will put the odds in our favor in the event of a dynamic critical incident (that will be another article). (www.icetraining.us)


I hope through my writing you can visualize the synergy between these three skills and how they can enhance the warfighter both at home and abroad. The common thread in all three skills are their Integrity by being based on the how the human body functions under stress, Consistency by not having to learn unnatural bio mechanics, and Efficiency taking less time and effort to accomplish the goal of dealing with danger. I am working on getting these three skills integrated with the current HVBSS training program. “It is not the kit that should make us more dangerous to our enemy, but the warrior that wears the kit” - Unknown.
Be Safe,
Omari H. Broussard