Lt.Col. Dave Grossman

[Blackdog F4i]

I had the pleasure of attending one of Lt.Col. Dave Grossman's presentations today. It was excellent. I had a lump in my throat several times.

If you ever get the chance to attend one of these, definitely go. If you don't know who Lt.Col. Grossman is, then do yourself a favor and beg,borrow or buy his book "On Killing" or "On Combat". I have read "On Killing" and am starting "On Combat". They are excellent reads on the Psychology of combat.

[jwise]

I have been touting his presentations/books/CDs for some time. In fact, several years ago I loaned out his CDs on "The Bulletproof Mind" to a forum member. "On Killing" is a chilling book, but attending his live presentations is both sobering and motivating.

I'm glad you had the pleasure of seeing him live.

My old department had him come for a small[ish] group event, then the adjoining departments got together and brought him in a couple years later. I had the opportunity to attend both presentations.

[jak77]

I've been meaning to read his books for awhile now, they were on a list of books recommended to me for the Marine Corps. I just ordered "On Killing" and "On Combat" through my university school library system. I cannot wait till they arrive as I am also a psych major, should be very interesting, engaging, and educational reads. Thank you Blackdog for reminding me to get my rear in gear and read his work.

[Monty Ealerman]

I think Lt. Col. Grossman is a good and important writer and speaker on the subject of the psychophysiology of warfare.

[Blackdog F4i]

I read "On Killing" when I started in law enforcement.

I just bought "On Combat" and was planning on reading it while training the last couple of weeks. I just never got to it. While I was at the presentation I bought "Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill" also by Grossman. I also picked up "Terror at Beslan" which has been recommended as an excellent read by the Lt.Col. as well as others.

[cajunguy]

I bought both books ("On Combat" and "On Killing"). I just finished "On Combat" for the second time, and currently re-reading "On Killing" for the second go 'round.

Both excellent reading. Highly recommend both for any LE and/or military.


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[pulicords]

I read "On Killing" when I started in law enforcement.

I just bought "On Combat" and was planning on reading it while training the last couple of weeks. I just never got to it. While I was at the presentation I bought "Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill" also by Grossman. I also picked up "Terror at Beslan" which has been recommended as an excellent read by the Lt.Col. as well as others.

+1! A couple of years ago (before I retired), I also attended one of Lt. Col. Grossman's presentations and bought the same two books. Both are very good reads, but I believe that many of the problems related to the Beslan incident came about due to the cultures of the participants, that are dissimilar from ours in very significant ways.

Although I generally enjoyed the presentation, there's no denying that Grossman has a "shtick" (Wolf/Sheep/Sheepdog analogy) that's attractive to most of us, but unfortunately turns off some of the "PC" crowd. I probably shouldn't have been surprised to learn (but was) that several officers from my department actually complained about the class. They felt Grossman's attitude and philosophy in many ways conflicted with their "ideals" of community oriented policing. I don't agree with their assessment, but supervisors and others associated with training should be aware of the possibility that some "controversy" (over attendance) could follow and be prepared to deal with it.

[Blackdog F4i]

I can see how some of his presentation could turn some people off. I can also see some officers becoming defensive when he went through his off-duty carry philosophy. Thankfully it's one I agree with and carry all the time.

When we did our afternoon session, teachers were invited and he concentrated on school shootings. When he brought up armed security and teachers carrying I could see some VERY uncomfortable looks from some of the teachers.

When it was all done, I thought it was an exceptionally well done presentation. Like anything in life, you can't please everyone. However I will bet that you won't get any tactical officers complaining about anything in the presentation.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I've got On Killing and the Bulletproof Mind cassette tapes! Yeah, that's right - old school Sarge bought them back in the day....

I agree with damn near everything he says. The one thing that gets most people I talk to is the subject of kids and violence. He presents an outstanding theory on the subject that I agree with, although it's difficult to get parents to take a stand on what they allow their kids to view in the theatres or what video games they let them play.

[ateamer]

Col. Grossman is fantastic, and his teachings should be mandatory for every police academy. I think he scared a couple of my coworkers. Those are the same people who just see the gun as another tool that is required, aren't great shots and aren't really big on tactics. I agreed with pretty much everything he said.

Anyone who doesn't think that a Beslan incident will happen here is a fool. It's only a matter of time before it is attempted.

[zeplin]

Anyone who doesn't think that a Beslan incident will happen here is a fool. It's only a matter of time before it is attempted.

That's why I think it's just plain stupid to ban CCW from schools. Gun free zones are ripe for another Columbine or Beslan.

I believe if they would post signs that say Conceal Carry welcome here instead of no firearms allowed the freaks and kooks and downright evil people would never attempt anything where there might be armed citizens that they can't pick out and eliminate with ease like they can uniformed officers or security like that one dude who took out 2 armed policemen at the city hall a while back.

[cbrown_tx]

+1! Grossman has a "shtick" (Wolf/Sheep/Sheepdog analogy) that's attractive to most of us, but unfortunately turns off some of the "PC" crowd. I probably shouldn't have been surprised to learn (but was) that several officers from my department actually complained about the class.

Couple yrs ago before I retired from the Air Force I had the pleasure of hearing him speak and attended one of his mini classes. He was a speaker at an annual conference where all the sr leadership of the AF JAG Corp attend. Imagine the look on a bunch of AF attorney's faces when they heard him. Their tightie whiteies puckered up so fast it was hilarious to watch. He sensed it and that only fed him more.

I loved it and have that mind set engaged everytime I walk out the door. Great books. I even used the techniques he teaches when I was brand new rook doing my first traffic stops when all the steps (catching up to, lights, radio, car placement, monitoring, etc) were overwhelming my sensories in the beginning.

[Resq14]

Did you feel like he was making eye contact with you the entire time?

I've noticed this at least, and others that have gone with me have said the same thing.

[cbrown_tx]

Did you feel like he was making eye contact with you the entire time?

I've noticed this at least, and others that have gone with me have said the same thing.

Oh yeah! I think he sizes up every person in the crowd as he goes and if you talk to him one-on-one like I did while he signed my books, you can feel his intesity as he looks right through you. LOL

[0311Matt]

Yeah, I read On Combat and passed it around in my department and platoon, and listen to the bulletproof mind on youtube when it gets quiet at night.