TexasCHLforum.com

oljames3 wrote:No, not over the top. Yes, carrying responsibly.

Sheep delude themselves into thinking that the violent threat does not exist. Sheep dogs know differently and take the burden of that knowledge seriously.

Thanks for the comment. The next time I see the person who said they would hate to go through life that scared, I think I know what I will say to them.

ScottDLS wrote:For us highly trained super secret agent operators, this situational awareness has been hammered into us since we went through BUD/S (basic underwater demolition SEAL) training, Ranger School, and the CIA "Farm" training. As well as learning on "the job" in every hellhole from Baghdad to Moscow to Saigon, and back...

As a result, as I approach 50, it's still second nature for me to run SDR's (surveillance detection routes) on my way to work and school. I always sit with my back to wall, facing the door, and plan my egress routes from my local Chili's...while I'm slamming down boilermakers with my fellow SF pals. I also dress the part with 5.11 tactical pants, a concealment vest, drop leg holster and body armor...

I mean that's a regular day at work for me with my spreadsheets, Outlook, and computer coding...danger lurks everywhere, especially from the ChiComms and Soviet sleeper agents. That attractive "Swedish" lady in the cube next to me...probably former Speznaz and a honey trap set up to gain my SAP and Oracle General Ledger and database experience to Kim Jong Il.

Well, I have to go now...time to attend a corporate inclusiveness and sensitivity training seminar in the HR conference room. I hope they'll have some coffee and donuts there...it's emotionally and physically exhausting sitting here at this keyboard all day.

It must be great to be you. Some of us are just old farm boys.

I couldn't find another topic on this, other than a passing word or two in response to other threads. So, I would like to ask the forum members a question. First, let me offer some background.

I was having a conversation the other day with someone who is interested in getting their LTC. I answered their questions as best I could, and noticed that another person nearby was listening intently also. After a while the conversation turned from the process of getting the license to practical matters of every day carry, like holster types, position, situational awareness, etc. During the conversation, I mentioned that I am in the habit of checking reflections in the glass doors on the coolers inside of a convenience store, windows of vehicles at the gas pump, and so on.

The person nearby then put in their two cents worth and said, "I would hate to go through life being so scared that I looked for reflections in the glass to see who was behind me."

I tried to explain to them that I wasn't "scared" at all. I was just being aware of my surroundings, but they didn't buy it and walked off. The guy interested in getting his LTC gave them a scornful look as they walked away, and picked the conversation right back up.

So here is my question to the group. Am I at least a little bit over the top by checking the reflection in the glass every time I walk up to the drink coolers in a store? Or, am I just carrying responsibly?

And a foot note. The young man I was talking to has now taken his course, and submitted his documents. He has now been waiting a few weeks to get his license. Interestingly, the LTC course was given at his church.