Warrior NOT Fighting Skills

[EDELWEISS]

This seems a good place to discuss some NOT Fighting skills every warrior should have.

Language skills--We can start with your primary language. At one time that would be silly to suggest since every school kid, knew how to diagram a sentence AND how to speak "The Kings English"; but thats hardly the case anymore. Im even open to a sub category of profanity, (you should be able to tell how much time a soldier has, by how long he can cuss without repeating himself). However it seems that a true warrior should know when to use each of these categories. Next and I think very much over looked a warrior should know a foreign language. There was a time where it was an insult to say, "He knows little Latin and even less Greek". A foreign language is a skill of patience. Some seem to find it easier than others. Along with this, is the ability to speak in public.

Manners -- They seem to be almost a lost art. Perhaps its because theres little penalty for ignoring them.

Dinner Skills -- We can start with knowing which fork to use first; but its much more than that. Picking the correct wine and after dinner liquors seems prudent, even if you dont drink. Knowing how to make a toast is another lost quality.

Musical Instrument -- Much like speaking a foreign language, being able to play an instrument (any instrument), is a matter of patience, worthy of investment. A sub category would be singing. A warrior should know a song he can sing when going into battle, as well as when he comes out.

Literature -- A warrior should be well read and able to at least quote from some of the classics. I think its better to have actually read them; but memorizing some of the better known passages is a start. A sub category would be poetry. A warrior should be able to compose his own sonnets.

Art -- Not everyone is born to paint; but a warrior should at least be able to sign his name so that it is legible. A warrior should have some understanding of the classic artists and be able to recognize the different art genres beyond "dogs playing poker" and "nudes on black velvet".

[EDELWEISS]

Math & Science -- A warrior should be able do perform simple mathematics without the need for a calculator and have at least a basic understanding of geometry, algebra and calculus. Simple chemistry and physics are required life skills.

Botany -- A warrior should have some knowledge of the plants around him.

[Netpackrat]

Some basic mechanical skills, if for no other reason so you can care for your gear.

The ability to operate a variety of different vehicles... Never know when you might have to run a small boat, airplane, cargo truck or 4x4, to name a few examples.

Navigation, ranging from the ability to orient yourself with a map and compass, up through dead reckoning and various electronic means. bonus points for mastering celestial navigation.

Survival... You should be able to handle being dumped in any likely environment and make do for a period of time... And either get found, or avoid getting found, depending on the goal and circumstances.

[Jack Rumbaugh]

This seems a good place to discuss some NOT Fighting skills every warrior should have.

Manners [/B]-- They seem to be almost a lost art. Perhaps its because theres little penalty for ignoring them.

No kidding it's a lost art. Help a woman load something heavy into her car or horror of horrors hold a door and you may get a look like you have 3 heads.

[choirboy]

No kidding it's a lost art. Help a woman load something heavy into her car or horror of horrors hold a door and you may get a look like you have 3 heads.

Jack hit the nail on the head with this one. I have held doors for late teen/early twenties gals and said after you ladies and they looked behind them for ladies.

I have been doing much of my locomotion with a wheel chair while my leg is healing. I have had kids the same age rush in front of me at a door and let it close in my face.

Choirboy

[Sam Mayes]

#1 on my list is simple money management.

You should be able to budget and live within your means. VERY important to me right now as wife has been laid off, And my oldest starts college in 2 weeks. He and I have been having many discussions on the evils of debt, and buying needed v.s wanted things.


Recently I held the door open for a group of 20 something ladies at a local eatery, They actually stopped and one of them looked at the others and said "We don't need a man to hold the door for us".. I was dumbfounded.. My wife looked at me and laughed and stated "Wait until they ar 50 years old with no husband or divorced 7 times, They will be falling over for anyone to open a door for them"..

I just don't get people nowadays I really don't..

[Chris Upchurch]

"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." - Robert Heinlein

"A young man should be computer literate, and moreover should know Hemingway from James Joyce. He should know how to drive a car well - such as is not covered in "Driver Ed." He should know how to fly a light airplane. He should know how to shoot well. He should know elementary geography, both worldwide and local. He should have a cursory knowledge of both zoology and botany. He should know the fundamentals of agriculture and corporate economy. He should be well qualified in armed combat, boxing, wrestling, judo, or the equivalent. He should know how to manage a motorcycle. He should be comfortable in at least one foreign language, and more if appropriate to his background. He should be familiar with remedial medicine." - Jeff Cooper

[EDELWEISS]

Netpack mentioned Navagation, to that I would add use of a sextant and a sun compass, (and can somebody help me with those).

I think the important issue isnt so much the conquering of all these goals, as the striving to reach them. Being a warrior is more than just the ability to fight. No matter how good we are at slaying dragons, those skills fade with age; but a true warrior persists no matter how much strength and speed time takes away.

[Steve Paulson]

He should be the kind of husband any woman would kill for--strong, gentle, humble, confident, affectionate, romantic and an excellent lover. A vigorous protector of her body, heart, mind and image, ready to break the jaw of the guy who refers to his queen as his "ball and chain".

He should be the kind of father to his children that would have his wife bragging, not gossiping. Physically & emotionally present, consistently enforcing discipline with love (never out of anger), mentoring, teaching, playing, laughing, affirming, affectionate (with his sons too!), always assuring them of his love, approval and pride. Through his marriage he must demonstrate to his daughters what they should expect (and what father will demand) of their own husbands, and to his sons how to truly love their own wives.

[Netpackrat]

He should be the kind of father to his children that would have his wife bragging, not gossiping. Physically & emotionally present, consistently enforcing discipline with love (never out of anger), mentoring, teaching, playing, laughing, affirming, affectionate (with his sons too!), always assuring them of his love, approval and pride. Through his marriage he must demonstrate to his daughters what they should expect (and what father will demand) of their own husbands, and to his sons how to truly love their own wives.

You've got no idea how much you've just made me miss my dad.

[Steve Paulson]

How about the ability to write and gasp, spell? You don't look very formidable when you write "loose" when you mean "lose" or "rediculous" when you mean "ridiculous". I see those two mistakes in formal correspondence...

+1!! :goofy:


You've got no idea how much you've just made me miss my dad.
Sounds like you were blessed with something we as a nation desperately need more of. Face to face with the Lord, or just far from home?

[Teckomando]

My father entered the family business (The U.S. Marine Corps) when he was a 17 year old high school graduate. His first duty station was Iwakuni Japan. He spent four years there. He studied Shotokan Karate there. My whole family was taught karate growing up. I was taught old school. Being a warrior meant refining one's character through studying philosophy, art, music, poetry, literature and my father added God and country to that list. I grew up believing a man isn't a "man" unless he had manners, knowledge, and could define himself in the words of Jeff Cooper. My father is not a college graduate. Yet, he is one of the most learned, well read, kindest, God fearing, and toughest men I know.

Warrior Not Fighting Skills:



Prayer
Knowing God
Teaching your children by example
Always striving to refine yourself and be a better man
Loyalty to your family, your country, your friends, and most importantly...your God
Basic etiquette
Intelligently articulating through oral communication with a capacious vocabulary
Be soft spoken when needed and speak boldly when necessary (and know when each is needed)
Disagreeing in an affable manner
Defusing and avoiding violence unless it is the last resort
Finding peace within himself
Appreciating the finer things in life
Appreciating the simple things in life
Motivating others
Leading
Following
Writing handwritten notes
Dressing to impress (OK I'm a bit of a Dandy:blush:)
A craft of some kind. (Every man should be able to build something.)

[Chuck Brick]

Language skills ....the ability to speak in public.

Manners -- They seem to be almost a lost art. Perhaps its because theres little penalty for ignoring them.....

Indeed! How about the ability to hold a conversation without expletives? Very few can, even "ladies!" I know a retired Air Force seargent that had been either Drill Instructor or IG for over 20 yrs, but he never cursed in front of his wife or children. My grandparents were married over 50 yrs, yet of all 7 children (my Dad one) none could recall ever hearing raised voices or an arguement between them - pretty impressive for such head-strong personalities as they were.
I hold the door for women and elderlies, and (Hello, Choirboy!) wheelchairs. I don't care what others think - although I did close the door on a girlfried once. She mouthed off some "Lib-lip" so I let go of the door while she was talking smack, and it hit her in the face. Then when she complained, I just said she should make up her mind. (I went home alone.)
I also get things off top shelves at the grocery store for shorter people, and move heavy items for the elderly and pregnant. After all my parents went through to civilize me, I owe it to them!

Stay Yourself,

Chuck Brick.

[Netpackrat]

Sounds like you were blessed with something we as a nation desperately need more of. Face to face with the Lord, or just far from home?

Passed on 11 years ago. Mom had been waiting for him for some time. And yes, we were blessed.

[PHJG]

Recently I held the door open for a group of 20 something ladies at a local eatery, They actually stopped and one of them looked at the others and said "We don't need a man to hold the door for us".. I was dumbfounded.. My wife looked at me and laughed and stated "Wait until they ar 50 years old with no husband or divorced 7 times, They will be falling over for anyone to open a door for them"..

I just don't get people nowadays I really don't..

I've had a similar response twice. My reply is simply "Then ma'am, don't consider it as if I'm holding it 'for you'. I'm holding it for me - it's what a gentleman should do".

The first woman actually blushed, and thanked me.
The second was totally speechless and stared at me with her chin on the floor.

[Steve Paulson]

Passed on 11 years ago. Mom had been waiting for him for some time. And yes, we were blessed.
Blessed be their memories--may they be held long and cherished by many. What a legacy to leave...

[Chuck Brick]

I've had a similar response twice. My reply is simply "Then ma'am, don't consider it as if I'm holding it 'for you'. I'm holding it for me - it's what a gentleman should do".

The first woman actually blushed, and thanked me.
The second was totally speechless and stared at me with her chin on the floor.

Well played, Sir. Never argue with a fool - the people watching can't tell the difference.

Stay safe,

Chuck Brick.

[Ragsbo]

Story #1; I had just got out of Marine Corps Boot Camp (1979) and was at MCAS El Toro. I went out to the La Goona (?) Hills Mall. I go off the bus with some other folks and walked up to the door. I opened it and stepped back to allow a female early to mid 20's to enter. She started cussing me up one side and down the other. Now I had just got out of boot camp and had been cussed out by professionals but she could have taught them a thing or to. She also told me that there was no way I was getting into her pants just by opening the door. I finally got my wits about me (I turned tail and ran from this crazy biscuit eating curr, hey I just turned 18 and was straight off the pig farm!) She waited for the door to completely closed, then opened it and came in!
Story #2
I was attending mandatory supervisor training with the plant's diversity what ever "woman". She made the comment that if any of us males held a door open for a woman, and she complained about it, that she would make sure we were fired for sexual harassment. No if ands or buts. Just opening a door for someone and get fired for sexual harassment.

[randyho]

Ah, the renaissance man/polymath thread. Good stuff, Edelweiss!

Concur with all the above. Actually, it's tough to add to the above.

So, I'll go redneck... because I can... :) :
Grilling and smoking
Smoking a pipe
Fixing a jeep
Setting up camp
Diagnosing a lack of either fuel, spark, or air in any given internal combustion situation
Proper application of a winch
Launching and recovering a boat from/to a trailer
Basic tidal marine navigation

There's more.

[Steve Paulson]

@Ragsbo, just...wow. **plugging my ears, rocking gently, repeating "This world is not my home. This world is not my home."**

Has anyone suggested "He should be able to hold his temper in the face of infuriating fools"?

[OdieWon]

This seems a good place to discuss some NOT Fighting skills every warrior should have.


Musical Instrument -- Much like speaking a foreign language, being able to play an instrument (any instrument), is a matter of patience, worthy of investment. A sub category would be singing. A warrior should know a song he can sing when going into battle, as well as when he comes out.



"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the COMING OF THE LORD......" Battle Hym of the Republic.

[Teckomando]

Story #1; I had just got out of Marine Corps Boot Camp (1979) and was at MCAS El Toro.
Small world. My father retired at El Toro. I lived there once as a kid. Too bad its not there any more.

[JHawk]

I will add a quick one - Dressing for Respect. By this I mean a man should be comfortable in wearing a suit, tie and shined shoes for the proper occasion. I am not talking about business and could go on about that in another post. I am talking about weddings, funerals and other events where a more formal attire should be expected. I can get casual with the best of them and realize that not everyone wears or needs to wear a suit everyday now. But I think every man should own a well made dark suit and a good pair of shoes. I stay in shape and have had the same size shoes & suit for the last 20 years. I have a blue Canali suit that is 10 years old and its not only in style but excellent shape. Well worth the investment.

[EDELWEISS]

I will add a quick one - Dressing for Respect. By this I mean a man should be comfortable in wearing a suit, tie and shined shoes for the proper occasion. I am not talking about business and could go on about that in another post. I am talking about weddings, funerals and other events where a more formal attire should be expected. I can get casual with the best of them and realize that not everyone wears or needs to wear a suit everyday now. But I think every man should own a well made dark suit and a good pair of shoes. I stay in shape and have had the same size shoes & suit for the last 20 years. I have a blue Canali suit that is 10 years old and its not only in style but excellent shape. Well worth the investment.


Good point--and I would add a tuxedo as well. There are just times when a "TUX" is called for and anything else is under-dressed.

[Chuck Brick]

I think I was in the third grade when my Mother taught me to tie a tie properly - clip-ons were OK, but a "man" needed to know how to tie a real tie.
Whether man or woman, I think a well-rounded person should be equally comfortable in a mud-hole digging out the truck, baiting their own hook, plucking/gutting chickens, or wearing formals at a social gathering. I'm SO lucky, I found a little country girl that can work with the animals all day, take a shower, and attend a social that evening. So I kept her - been over 30 years now.
Warrior-Wife traits??

Stay safe,

Chuck Brick.

[Foxpup]

Recently I held the door open for a group of 20 something ladies at a local eatery, They actually stopped and one of them looked at the others and said "We don't need a man to hold the door for us".. I was dumbfounded.. My wife looked at me and laughed and stated "Wait until they ar 50 years old with no husband or divorced 7 times, They will be falling over for anyone to open a door for them"..

I just don't get people nowadays I really don't..

>< Gah! They ruin it for everyone! I'm a twenty something and I appreciate it. I make an effort to go out of my way to commend people that do this for me.

[Foxpup]

I come from a girl's perspective I guess, but gardening, canning, and SEWING have been invaluable to me.
I think all men and women should know how to sew- it comes in handy at the oddest of times.

That and critical thinking skills. You would think this would be a no brainer but apparently it's not. Creative problem solving and the ability to think out of the box are, well, critical...

[Netpackrat]

I think I was in the third grade when my Mother taught me to tie a tie properly - clip-ons were OK, but a "man" needed to know how to tie a real tie.

The once or twice a year when I need to wear a tie, I just look up how to tie it on google.

[Ragsbo]

The once or twice a year when I need to wear a tie, I just look up how to tie it on google.
In boot camp I had to show a couple guys how to tie the tie. One never could get it right. I finally put it on, tied it, loosen it up enough to slip it over my head then gave it to him. 3 years later we were in the same group going through separations and had to stand inspections in Alphas. He still have the tie I tied for him with my knot still in it. He would take it off, slip the loop as small as he could and store it. He even bought another tie for wall locker inspections! Now that is either lazy or a genius!

AS far as skills goes; the list is endless. One should have a basic understanding of a lot of items; mechanics, electrical, cooking, sewing, medical, and so forth. I not saying you should be an expert but have a general understanding of the subject.

[Ragsbo]

Ties= a rant!
Who in there right mind thought the idea of taking a strip of cloth and wrapping it around your neck and tieing a knot in it was a good thing??????? Volunteering for a hanging?????? Must have been a man hating woman! Not to mention they look STUPID!

Rant off!

[choirboy]

Before clip on ties were popular with cops, I can remember pretying conventional ties and slitting about 2/3s of the back with a razor so nobody could grab you into a bad situation with you tie.

Choirboy

[JHawk]

I don't necessarily enjoy wearing a tie but when the occasion calls for it I can wear one with style - single or full Windsor knot :crazy:.

This thread also brought back a few smiles and memories. My Dad when I started my career in sales with IBM a number of years ago urged me to get a good pair of Allen Edmond shoes, keep them shined and purchase a good overcoat - I was in the Midwest at the time. I can say I am the proud owner of a classic Burberry trench coat that looks fantastic and is still in service. I won't tell you how many years old it is but wager that its older then a good number of my WT brothers !

[Texican_gal]

I've had a similar response twice. My reply is simply "Then ma'am, don't consider it as if I'm holding it 'for you'. I'm holding it for me - it's what a gentleman should do".

The first woman actually blushed, and thanked me.
The second was totally speechless and stared at me with her chin on the floor.

Very good response.

You see, these women are victims of the education efforts of communist America-haters and their unceasing attempts to destroy Western civilization. The response you got from both of them shows that you got through to their actual brains.

[Vigilant]

I'd be happy for every man to know how to drive a standard shift!

[Netpackrat]

I'd be happy for every man to know how to drive a standard shift!

Not me. Between many people not knowing how to drive a stick, many of those who do being unable to reach the pedals, a distinct minority of those remaining who can figure out how to start it, and fewer still who can manage to release the hand brake, my MG is fairly theft resistant. Not to mention them who can't get the doors to open. 8^)

[choirboy]

I'd be happy for every man to know how to drive a standard shift!

It is amazing. Add to that list those who will live off the land in bad times and barf when gutting a fish :)

Choirboy

[Heywood]

They say a woman should always be able to change her mind, I think a skill every man should have is the ability, to change it back...

[c5c5]

...I also get things off top shelves at the grocery store for shorter people...

Chuck Brick.

As someone who is 5'1, I cannot tell you how kind and helpful that is.
Those who are not "vertically challenged" may have forgotten what it is like to be short and shopping at the grocery store.

First of all, the item that a short person needs will always be on the top shelves. They are never at eye-level or below. (Most stores stock the high-priced or name brand items at eye-level for contractual marketing purposes, making it more difficult for short people to be thrifty.) Thus we are stuck with some decisions, all of which are either require exceptional acrobatics or long periods of time to find sanctioned store help.

If we try to physically get the item, we have to:

1) Have the ability to jump a minimum of 4 feet to even touch the bottom of the box which sometimes leads to bumping it into all the other boxes and having them all fall down from the shelf in an embarrassing and noisy mess! Yes, this has happened many times and I have learned to not even try it. It also looks funny to onlookers who I always find snickering or smiling at just what the jumping looks like.

2) Risk getting a store employee or manager mad at you because you dared use the bottom shelf as a step-stool which put the store in violation of their insurance "safety standards." Some stores now have signs requesting us short folks do not use the bottom shelves as stepping stools because of that. They are quite correct since I have used the bottom shelf as a boost and found myself on the floor because the shelf was not stable or the shelves in the middle that I used to help stabilize me came out in the process.

If we are in a rush we always:

3) Have at least a half-hour of your our precious time wasted waiting around for help. This process involves first finding an available store employee to ask in the first place. Since they themselves always end up being short too, they have to spend time locating one of those big shelf-stocking-ladders-with-wheels. This takes a minimum of 15 minutes alone since no one every really knows where they are. (IF one is lucky to be in an area with one, you are prohibited from just using it yourself since regulation insists that only store-employees are allowed to use such things. I have endured scolding from store-employees who have caught me using them.) Once the employee has successfully located a wheeled ladder, they are guaranteed to be distracted by hordes of other short people needing to use their services. Thus I am waiting my turn as they slowly make their way back to my area.

There, I got this off my chest!
This may seem funny and exaggerated for me to make my point, but in reality it isn't.
I am always grateful for those tall folks who simply reach up and get the item I desire as if it were the easiest thing to do in the world. I really am. :thumbup:

Again, thank you for being a gentleman and helping us "vertically challenged" folks.

[Teckomando]

I come from a girl's perspective I guess, but gardening, canning, and SEWING have been invaluable to me.
I think all men and women should know how to sew- it comes in handy at the oddest of times.

That and critical thinking skills. You would think this would be a no brainer but apparently it's not. Creative problem solving and the ability to think out of the box are, well, critical...I was taught how to cook, sew, do laundry, and iron shirts. If a man can't take care of himself without the help of someone else is he really a man?


Ties= a rant!
Who in there right mind thought the idea of taking a strip of cloth and wrapping it around your neck and tieing a knot in it was a good thing??????? Volunteering for a hanging?????? Must have been a man hating woman! Not to mention they look STUPID!

Rant off!You can blame the Croatian mercenaries that fought for the french in the 1600s and the pansy Parisians that thought it was a cool fashion accessory, for the introduction of the cravat. The English accepted that fashion statement and it evolved into the Anglo-American modern necktie.

[Tom Cornelius]

Negotiation Skills... Understanding an issue from different angles and moving forward.

[Cosantoir]

In boot camp I had to show a couple guys how to tie the tie. One never could get it right. I finally put it on, tied it, loosen it up enough to slip it over my head then gave it to him. 3 years later we were in the same group going through separations and had to stand inspections in Alphas. He still have the tie I tied for him with my knot still in it. He would take it off, slip the loop as small as he could and store it. He even bought another tie for wall locker inspections! Now that is either lazy or a genius!


I'd like to think it was genius.

It was my SOP for 22 years in the Army: neatly rolled (and annually dusted) tie for the locker lay-out, clip-on tie for the times I couldn't get out of wearing As or Bs.

No way was I putting a convenient choker/leash around my neck and then going out on the road to quarrel with disgruntled soldiers.

[Tracker]

I think lock picking, a basic knowledge of electronics and the ability to follow a circuit, maintaining a library of subjects you admit to yourself you know little about but know you should have a rudimentary knowledge of.

Being able to quickly reference something is almost as good as being able to actually do it.