PMCI - October 2017

EDITORS
COMMENT
VANISHING MINDSET,
VANISHING SKILLS
In this issue you’ll find the report and photo gallery of what
we saw at DSEI in London this year, and what a show it was!
However, when getting ready to head off to the city I found my
head turning towards the current security situation; whilst I did
not for one moment question my intent to attend the show it
did go through my mind that I needed to, as they say, “have my
head on a swivel”.
Further recent atrocities, perpetrated by cowardly pond-life that
live in the darkest pools of our ever more fragile societal lake,
bring personal safety and security to the forefront. This summer
I have undergone major surgery and although fitness is returning
I am by no means at the top of my game right now. Physically
I am slower and less agile than I would normally be, although
mentally I hope I’ve still got all my marbles in the jar!
People were just not engaged in their situation, on the phone,
noses stuck to the screens they seemed to drift past me like
aimless ghosts. Crowded trains and tubes make line of sight all
but impossible, and the thought that the majority around me
were not in any way “switched on” had me shaking my head.
I am not saying in any way, shape, or form that the threat of
terrorist attacks should stop us doing anything, buy why will
people not learn to be more aware? Skills that once were taken
for granted are perishable, and erode all too easily if they are
not worked on.
Whilst PMCI is squarely aimed at, and indeed designed for those
that wish to enhance their personal skillset for professional
reasons, it strikes me that we are becoming equally as valid as
a publication for the wider community. Surveillance and CQB
skills are not necessarily needed for modern everyday life, and
thorough knowledge of tactical clothing, equipment, knives and
firearms are frowned upon by many, but it’s the mindset that is
the thing.
EDITORS COMMENT
I found myself thinking how I might be able to react if an
“incident” were to occur, but once I started out on my journey
I realised that all things are relative. Mixing with tourists and
commuters both it struck me just how unaware people are,
both spatially and situationally. Okay, I work day in, day out with
the firearms, training and tactical communities so perhaps I am
more aware than many, but the seemingly blissful lack of any
kind of place and time in others shocked me more than I would
have liked.
If the mindset to be aware, to recognise where and when you are
in life, even to simply survive is lost then we truly have already
started to hand over to those that would see ill done to us both
as individuals and as a society.
Wherever you may be people, switch on, train hard, stay vigilant
and keep safe.
pmcimagazine.com