Level 1 Apprentice Instructor Training in the United Kingdom
Pete Lee
On October 24th, I concluded the first ever Apprentice Instructor Training Program, Level 1, for the Reality-Based Personal Protection system in the UK.
I am honoured to be one of five members of the Reality-Based Global Training Team and Director for the United Kingdom. As such, I have been given the charge of training students to the level of Apprentice Instructor in all five of the Level 1 modules and preparing them for a final assessment with Jim.
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On Monday 20th October 2008, six students began their week long journey to becoming the UK’s first ever Apprentice Instructors.
The week began at the Territorial Army Base in Paignton, Devon. At 8 am I welcomed the students and we began our introductions.
I was very impressed at the backgrounds and experience of all of the new students:
• An ex-psychiatric nurse trained in Krav Maga, Kapap and the FAST defence system
• A sports coach with six years Thai-boxing experience and four in Krav Maga
• A Police Firearms Instructor with experience in many Defensive Tactics systems including the S.P.E.A.R system
• A fraud prevention officer with experience in MMA, Thai-boxing and a specialist in identity fraud prevention
• A Merchant Navy Officer with experience in Krav Maga, Kapap and CrossFit
• A Close Protection Officer with years of experience in traditional based martial arts
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Despite all this experience, each student learnt more than they could have imagined throughout the week and were obviously impressed with Jim’s revolutionary methods of teaching and training. However, I also learnt a great deal from them – their experiences and prior training only enhanced the learning environment for all of us.
Each student was very humble and listened intently to every lecture, worked physically hard at every drill and exercise and asked questions throughout in order to get the most from their weeks training.
I, like my colleague Christophe Besse in France, am a purist when it comes to teaching the Reality-Based Personal Protection System. Not just because each student has given up their time to learn the system as Jim would teach it but because I believe 100% in the system.
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As a serving Police Officer having previously taught Traditional Martial Arts, Police Defensive Tactics, Krav Maga and other systems, I can say with some credibility that I know what works and what doesn’t.
Despite heavy financial and time investment in previous systems, when I became trained in the Reality-Based Personal Protection System in Ireland, I knew this was not just another martial art that had been stripped of superfluous technique. This system was something different and since receiving my training from Jim, I have had to use many of his concepts and techniques in the real world to defend myself and others. As such, a few years ago, I made the decision to teach Jim’s system exclusively.
I therefore stuck to Jim’s lesson plan outlines rigidly throughout the week. All six of the students bonded really well and enjoyed a great atmosphere throughout the week. Each had something to offer the group and all supported each other’s learning. This mutual respect and support assisted in making all of them top class Apprentice Instructors.
Those qualified are:
• Raymond Kelly
• John Wilson
• Paul Grey
• Darren Chettle
• Mark Hallum
• Huw Davey
I would recommend anyone in the UK looking for realistic training, to contact anyone one of these fine Apprentice Instructors – you will not be disappointed.
The next Apprentice Instructor Course will be taking place early next year, details to be finalised soon.
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Movie Review: Body of Lies
Jim Wagner
If you liked the film The Kingdom, which I recommended last year, then you will enjoy Body of Lies, which is just as good and very informative to Reality-Based Personal Protection practitioners concerning terrorism. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani and Australian actor Vince Colosimo.
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Although Body of Lies is not as action packed as The Kingdom, the action it does show is disturbingly realistic. There are a few intense shoot outs and a realistic knife fight where the main character has to deal with his injuries. Finally Hollywood is showing the results of being in a fight.
This film about Islamic terrorism takes the viewer into the world of Iraq, Jordan, and Syria. It also has a car bomb attack that takes place in Amsterdam, Holland. It is interesting that the movie’s producers chose Amsterdam as a possible future terrorist attack since I have been warning my Dutch students for years that such an attack is likely in their country. The Islamic and the Dutch cultures have been slowly coming to a boiling, and there are numerous problems every year, not to mention that most good Muslims view the Dutch as very decedent (go to the Red Light District in Amsterdam and you will see why) and weak.
Another thing I liked about Body of Lies was its glimpse into the world of spying. The story centers around CIA combat operations and assassinations in the Middle East, along with the Jordanian Intelligence Service. Like real life, it is a bit confusing just who can be trusted and who cannot.
I have heard some people say that this film is “anti-American,” but I didn’t think so. Dealing with terrorists is a brutal business and some people may see the methods used as “un-American.”
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