The Halberd

Cold Weather-Turning Hardship into a Tactical Edge

Posted by Ryan Tibben on

Cold Weather-Turning Hardship into a Tactical Edge

             In 1939, with temperatures routinely at -30 degrees (Fahrenheit), the Finnish Army took on the Soviet Union in what is now known as the "Winter War".  One of many important takeaways from the conflict is the Finns' ability to not only fight, but thrive in such unforgiving conditions.  In William Trotter's book, "A Frozen Hell," he writes that "One of the main factors that enabled the Finns to destroy forces much larger than their own was surely rooted in the differing psychologies of the men engaged on either side.  To the Finnish soldier, the...

Read more →

Age, Infirmity, and Your Role in Community Defense (Part 1)

Posted by Ryan Tibben on

Age, Infirmity, and Your Role in Community Defense (Part 1)

"If I was only ten years younger..."       How many times have we either heard someone utter this refrain or said it ourselves?  It seems to me that one of the great ironies (and frustrations) of life is the inverse relationship between the knowledge/experiences we store in our minds and strength/power we possess in our bodies.  As young adults, we have physical ability for days but little in the way of useful knowledge about how to actually do things or how the world works.  We often allow unchecked passions to make decisions for us instead of logic and reason. ...

Read more →

Firepower, Protection, and Mobility-Choose Wisely

Posted by Ryan Tibben on

Firepower, Protection, and Mobility-Choose Wisely

I AM NOT A LAWYER, AND I AM NOT GIVING LEGAL ADVICE ON THE USE OF LETHAL FORCE.  PLEASE REFERENCE YOUR STATE USE OF FORCE STATUTES AS YOUR GUIDE.      Any contemplation of patrolling in support of armed defense is remiss if the relationships between the capabilities of firepower, protection, and mobility do not feature prominently in our internal dialogue.  It has been said that "You can have two, but not all three."  While GENERALLY true, I believe this opinion is rather simplistic and doesn't fully address the existing nuance and interconnection between these capabilities.  The purpose of this article is to define these...

Read more →

A Historical View of Training

Posted by Ryan Tibben on

A Historical View of Training

"That as the security of the lives, liberties, and properties of the inhabitants of this province depends under Providence on their knowledge and skill in the art military, and in their being properly and effectually armed and equipt...and that they use their utmost diligence to perfect themselves in military skill..." -Provincial Congress 1774      The "art military"...What does the term mean?  The quote above establishes that the "art military" is, in fact, quite relevant since the preservation of our "lives, liberties, and properties" depends upon it.  With the stakes so high, then, one might question why the text offers...

Read more →