Tomahawk CQB with CJ Caracci -- Debriefing, Part One

Brian Jones

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So you all know where I’m coming from, I’m going to share a couple things about my experiences and motivations for training in martial arts, fighting (two different things BTW), and wilderness survival. First, I believe in being strong and self-reliant, to protect my family and friends. Also, I always strive for ways to test and surpass my self-imposed limits. Self-development and growth motivate me to train. Plus, I’m an admitted adrenaline junky anyway. I like to exceed my own and others expectations. I started this path training in “martial arts,” sport-oriented, rules-based ballet movements where the dancers sometimes bang into each other. I thought I was learning to fight, and I thought the strict settings were teaching me mental and emotional growth and discipline. I was a good full-contact tournament fighter. I was confident. Then I got my ass kicked when I was a bouncer in a bar at 18. As soon as the fight turned on me, and the other guy wasn’t doing proper choreographed techniques back at me, I froze. Guess my mental discipline wasn’t really developed after all. I just thought it was. Delusions are dangerous, I learned. Hmmmmm…. Also, friends of mine geting killed also drove me to get better training. Guess it was time to re-evaluate what I was doing, and try to find ways to really toughen myself up and become a better person. I found that the only way (for me) was to put myself into “do or die” situations, and evaluate my fight or flight responses, and my mental and emotional endurance capacity. Improve my weaknesses, and capitalize AND improve on my strengths. That meant any training I did had to be as close to reality as possible, and come from those who had applied their skills for real, rather than reading something in a book and repeating it, or just dancing in the dojo. I was looking for those who had survived and thrived because of their experiences in hell; people of good character, who had nothing to prove, because they’d been there and done that. Since 1981, I’ve only found a small handful. I had to weed through many fakes and frauds along the way, many who were even just fooling themselves, to find the gems. I became a very cynical and tough judge of teachers. When I find one of the gems, I rejoice. Well, I’m rejoicing again!

I’ve just added CJ Caracci to my very, very short list of the “gems” as instructors. We in the civilian world are very fortunate to have someone like CJ share his working, tested knowledge of self-protection, and be so generous in doing so. He is the real deal, for reasons which you know from his background, and reasons I observed during the tomahawk seminar. (Bet I got CJ curious about what I’m gonna write now, eh? ) Hee Hee…

Much of this review will not describe techniques in any detail, as I find that trying to describe them in words is like trying to describe what being in a tornado feels like to someone who has never been in one. So, I’ll highlight them, but a lot of this will seem a bit “cryptic.” CJ was kind in sharing this stuff with those of us who made it to train with him, and I don’t feel that it’s my place to break the confidence and divulge everything he taught. I wouldn’t be able to do it justice anyway. If CJ wants to expand or describe details to people here, I’ll leave it up to him. If you’re curious to learn these things properly, I believe the ONLY way is direct training with CJ. Period. 

Now that I’ve thoroughly bored you, let’s get on to the seminar itself! (yeah – about time, huh?) This is all a list/brainstorm kind of coverage, so bear with my writing style here, please…this is only part one of the report.

CJ started off talking about the general attitudes and mindset of successful warriors. Why some won, why some lost. Why the physical skill in itself was less important than the will to prevail. Yet how diligent physical training, with concentration, was the key to developing and improving that willpower, and confidence. How he and others in the SEALs and police teams applied it, and proved it to themselves. (Ah, real life examples!). We all listened carefully. It was heady and informative stuff.

He talked about the powers of observation/awareness, of how physical and mental control of yourself is first necessary before you can have control and awareness of your environment. We learned how to “see big things in a small way, and small things in a big way.”

He got into physiology of the human body, center of gravity, and points on the body which will unbalance even the strongest opponent. How people orient themselves, usually on the major compass points – and which angles of attack and defense are most unsettling to them, and therefore effective. Funny, those angles also take perfect advantage of the human physiology, too. Cool…. He described and demonstrated proper movement and balance for yourself (and had us all doing it, too). What the tactical advantages were of proper movement in every direction. He taught us that muscle memory is dangerous for us (too automatic, and not applicable to everything), so hence the need for control at all times. He illustrated every point so it was proved to us, rather than just something to take at his word.

Besides internal mindset, he demonstrated, very well, how to project your intention (intensity) and aura/attitude towards others in order to capture their mind and defeat their will to fight, even before physical conflict. When you are on the receiving end of this, and you FEEL it from CJ (like I did during our freeform sparring match – more on that soon), you know he ain’t talking like some yoga guru. It worked on me. Damn. LOL! He told us stories of when the SEALs were rescuing hostages, and their intensity was so great before they even entered, that hostage-takers were jumping out the windows in fear, not knowing why, but feeling that the Grim Reaper was coming for them. Cool…… This kind of ability only comes from confidence developed via diligent training.

At all times during the seminar, CJ exuded all the qualities, and demonstrated all the attitudes and techniques beautifully. In other words, he walked his talk -- always.

Well, I’ll stop at this point, and get into the tomahawk parts of the seminar. This wasn’t just a seminar on tomahawk CQB – it was an overall lesson on becoming a fighter/warrior. Let me know if you want me to continue…I’ll get into grips, empty hand vs. holding a weapon, knife vs. tomahawk, how to properly train yourself to learn techniques, and other gems CJ covered…


All the Best,

Brian.
 
wow. one day, i'd like to attend something like this. academics take priority, however, and keep me rooted here, at least until next year.

- dan
 
Brian,
I do not think it appropriate to respond to a review so I will not. I will however say thank you for the opportunity to have shared the time with you, as well I am sure the other students.
It means so much just to hear that what was said was absorbed (like it or not). I want it to be known how valuable it is to have students who for the right reasons hunger for knowledge and are able to access it objectively. It still surprises me when someone really gets it and cares.

If this were all about business than I would have stopped instructing a long time ago. It is frustrating when often the consumer base is confused by all the BS and have a hard time distinguishing between the real and the ego.
In order to survive in this arena one would have to say why one should train with us instead of them and that is not me. Myself and my brothers do this because it is our lives and we know what this knowledge means.
Greater control of ones self and environment means a better person, we install what is in us not the least of which is respect of all life, consideration of all, and loyalty beyond all.
To all of our students who care enough to take the time, on behalf of my brothers and myself, thank you for the opportunity.
 
I too would LOVE to be able to learn on this level! All of us won't be able to learn from you Mr.Caracci so how do we find the next best way? I have been in martial arts since I was 5 yrs old and I have learned under some very good people. Unfortunately our Sabunim had to move and I never did find a school that I felt was above all others. Thank You.
 
Skagsig...

"Virtual" CJ will be available very soon, for ALL who wish to access the knowledge he has to offer...right through their PC!

Stay tuned brothers!!!
 
CJ,

Thank YOU for offering this training, and spending time with us. Please keep me informed of any and all future training, whether through Andy or directly. My email is bjones@backpacker.com . And thanks again, Andy, for arranging this.

If you guys want someone who will tell people to train with you instead of them, send 'em my way for a reference!

See you next time around, and thanks again,

Brian.

PS Part Two by tomorrow or so...
 
Originally posted by Brian Jones
...I was looking for those who had survived and thrived because of their experiences in hell; people of good character, who had nothing to prove, because they’d been there and done that. Since 1981, I’ve only found a small handful. I had to weed through many fakes and frauds along the way, many who were even just fooling themselves, to find the gems...

Silly question, Brian: Who else did you find? Inquiring minds wanna know!
 
eda-koppo,

Drop me an email and I'll tell ya...

I don't feel it's appropriate to post in CJ's fourm about other teachers...

Thanks, and all the Best,

Brian.
 
Brian, I've tried to e-mail you twice. I got "failure delivery" messages both times. Do you have an alternate?
 
Eda......Brian is out of town until Thursday this week....I imagine he'll check in when he gets back. Just wanted to let you know sir.

Best Regards,
 
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