This story is provided in response to a request made by my teacher, Soke (Grand Master) Masaaki Hatsumi, during a recent visit to training in Japan. During one of the training sessions, Soke was suggesting that everyone, regardless of rank, should make it a point to talk to those with actual combat experience and learn from these people. The point is, if you do not know what a real fight is like, you will not be able to adequately train for a real situation. I was asked to share some of my experience in the treatment of an attack and the following story came to mind. Although I have much experience in dealing with danger and dangerous people, this particular result stands out as both a success when I was able to use some of my Ninpo-taijutsu martial arts training and a learning experience where I was really able to control both my awareness and response, instead of closing and mentally “hope” for the best.
*** The incident occurred many years ago while stationed in what was then West Germany. I was serving with the United States Military Police Corps of the Army. My partner and I were called to respond to a unit where a soldier is to attack others, including the officer in charge. When we arrived, we thought it was the scene, there was nobody but the manager of the residence. I had no idea about the incident. What none of us knew was that problem was occurring next door and moves in our direction.