For decades, executive protection training has revolved around the use of firearms and hand-to-hand combat techniques. Course advertisements often feature practitioners firing various weapons and practicing martial arts disciplines like Krav Maga or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
These foundational trainings are mandatory for all trained protectors, spanning from security personnel in small companies to members of renowned protection institutions such as the United States Secret Service, Israeli Security, British Security, Japanese Security, and others.
However, what happens when highly trained protectors face a surprise attack at close range in real-life situations, such as public events or other exposures? One might expect these proficient agents to draw their weapons and effectively engage the assailants or utilize the sophisticated martial arts techniques they have been taught. Surprisingly, this is not the case in actual situations.
The Examination
We have examined 132 cases of attacks against prominent public figures over the past 123 years in 60 countries. To our surprise, in instances where a surprise attack occurred at close range, none of the analyzed protectors, including renowned members of the US Secret Service or Israeli Security, managed to draw their weapons to defend the individuals they were protecting, nor did they employ any of the advanced martial arts techniques they had been trained in.
Instead, they all executed a single action: they launched themselves at the armed attacker, even when the attacker was actively shooting at their protectee (or even after assassinating him), and tackled them to the ground in a manner reminiscent of a football tackle, without utilizing any specific martial art techniques. This pattern has been observed in incidents spanning different countries, time periods, continents, training methodologies, weaponry, operational conditions, and ages.
It is worth noting that despite the inherent danger and vulnerability of these situations, none of the protectors were injured or killed when carrying out this action. They consistently succeeded in subduing the attacker, although in many cases, the attacker had already assassinated the protectee, such as the incidents involving Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022.
Why does this phenomenon occur? In simplified terms, we can identify two types of reactions: learned reactions and instinctive reactions.
Learned Reactions and Instinctive Reactions
Learned reactions are acquired through practice and repetition, encompassing actions like drawing a weapon and firing, blocking and striking, or executing control and restraint techniques. On the other hand, instinctive reactions are deeply rooted in our evolutionary history, where the most primitive part of the human brain takes command. These instinctive reactions primarily focus on activating our arms and hands to shield and protect our bodies from threats (while acknowledging that there are numerous other instinctive reactions, we emphasize this particular response for the purpose of this concise informative article).
What becomes evident is that in these rapid and close-distance attacks, the most primitive system takes over, overriding all other learned reactions and activating the most basic responses to neutralize the threat. With no time to think, analyze, or assess the danger, trained protectors instinctively launch themselves at the attacker, displaying predator-like instincts, much like a lion pouncing on a gazelle, bringing it down to the ground, and asserting dominance. The study demonstrates that regardless of the specific training received for these scenarios, all training is overridden, and the primal reaction prevails.
It is crucial to adapt the training of executive protection agents to account for these primitive and evolutionary reactions. While we cannot control these impulses, we can manage and redirect them towards more effective responses. It is essential to explore training methodologies that enable us to channel these instinctive impulses into more appropriate actions in real-life executive protection situations. Achieving tangible results in such training endeavors is undoubtedly challenging, but not impossible.
Final Thoughts on Why Don’t Trained Protectors React as Trained in Real Situations?
To enhance the effectiveness and safety of both the protected individuals and the protectors themselves, it is imperative to base operational practices and training on real studies and experiences, abandoning the fantasies often perpetuated by movies, which have proven detrimental to the field. By creating a genuine and efficient training and operational framework, we can elevate the profession of executive protection, making it more effective and secure.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
These reactions occur within the specific operational conditions described above. In other situations and circumstances, learned reactions are indeed effective and necessary.
This article is written in collaboration by Ivan Ivanovich and Dr. Cecilio Andrade.