Interview with Fernan Vargas

Questions:

1. Hi, can you please tell us more about yourself? (Your age, profession, years of martial arts training… anything that might be relevant to this interview).

1.About myself, well I am in my mid thirties so still relatively young. I have a wife and two wonderful children. My profession is Self Defense Trainer but my day job is working for the state of Illinois department of human services. Before working for my current agency I spent about a decade working in the child protection/welfare field both for private agencies and the state of Illinois. My experience in that field helped me to really understand issues like safety, sexual assaults, child abuse and domestic violence. It truly helped me to see Self Protection as much more than punching and kicking. I also do volunteer work with the Guardian Angels Safety Patrol organization. I serve as a patrol leader, and as the Chicago land defensive tactics trainer. I also have recently been tasked with developing a new defensive tactics program for the Midwest region under Miguel Fuentes the Midwest regional coordinator.2. When did you first started training Martial Arts, and

which ones?2. I first began training in the martial arts as a child about 7 or 8 years of age. Like many in the field I began training in Tae Kwon do. I trained off and on through out my childhood and adolescent years in a number of arts such as tae kwon do, karate, and kuk sool won. As a teenager I also wrestled and explored boxing and hybrid martial arts through my early training with the guardian angels, which I joined at age 15.3. Which martial arts did you study later?3. In later years I have studied a number of martial arts to various degrees. I have trained in Native American Knife

work, Kuntao, Silat, Jujitsu, Arnis, and modern hybrid or eclectic arts as well.4. Why did you decided to do Combatives? What is in your

opinion the main difference between Combatives and traditional martial arts?

4. I decided to focus my training in combatives rather than martial arts because I felt that combatives better suited what I desired from training. Combatives gave me a simplified tool set that would be functional with minimal upkeep. Also Combatives allowed me to be functional in many areas rather than specializing in one or two areas. Martial arts are wonderful and can give their practitioners many benefits. Martial arts however is a long term if not life long commitment. I was seeking a viable alternative for the sole reason of learning self protection skills. The emphasis on gross motor techniques, simplified skill sets and flexible applications of universal movements made combatives training attractive to me. In my opinion the main difference between martial arts and combatives is in the training methodology. For example it is common for martial arts to have multiple solutions to any given attack or scenario. True Combatives practitioners will look at the problem from a different perspective. A combatives practitioner will look for one or two techniques that they can use for many situations.5. You are the founder of R.a.v.e.n. Tactical Systems, can

you tell us what R.a.v.e.n. Tactical exactly is?5. The Raven method is the method of close quarter defensive tactics which I founded. This requires a little clarification and understanding of our operating structure. Raven Tactical International is our parent company and association. RTI administers “Raven Tactical Systems”. Raven Tactical Systems is an umbrella term which refers to a family of inter-related disciplines. The branches of Raven Tactical Systems are as Follow

a. The Raven Method Close Quarter Defensive Tactics System. This system is a civilian close quarter defensive tactics program. The program is a compliation of

principles, and techniques drawn from Combat martial arts, Law Enforcement Defensive tactics and Military Close Quarter Combat. The program is designed to be learned easily, and recalled easily. The program is stuctured in 6 levels. Realisticly levels 1-3 are enough to make a student combat ready. In levels 1-3 students learn the fundamentals of hand to hand, knife work, impact weapons, pepper spray, firearms and more. Students are given a solid and simple skill set that is universal in nature. Levels 4-6 are reserved for long term students and brings them into a skill set equivalent to a traditional black belt.

B. Raven Guardian Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics System. This system is comprised of several streamlined modules designed especially for police and security professionals. The guardian modules cover common topics such as tactical baton, control and compliance holds, ground survival and edged weapons defense. The Guardian system is structured in 3 levels. 1. Basic certification 2. Instructor certification 3. Instructor trainer certification. Our Guardian Modules have been endorsed by several organizations including the Fraternal order of law enforcement. Guardian Modules are also POST approved in several states.

C. Dark Raven Military Close Quarter Combat System. This system is comprised of several streamlined modules designed especially for military and paramilitary operators. The guardian modules cover common topics such as battle field combatives, Knife Combatives, Bayonet and rifle. The system is structured in 3 levels. 1. Basic certification 2. Instructor certification 3. Instructor trainer certification. The Dark Raven program has been

designed wit the input of several career military operators from the United States and Foreign Military Units

D. Raven Frontier Combatives. This system is dedicated to the research and exploration of fighting methods of Frontier era America. Weapons such as the Bowie Knife, Tomahawk and War Club are explored.

E. Raven Warrior Arts System. This system is the “Traditional” Martial art of the Raven Family. Students here will learn all of the practicality of a modern defensive tactics method along with the traditional values of warrior culture.

F. Skadi Womens Self Defense System. This system is a version of the Raven Method specially designed to meet the needs of women. The program is structured in 3 levels. 1. Basic certification 2. Instructor certification 3. Instructor trainer certification. 6. Various forms of Combatives have gained a lot of

popularity in recent years. Many instructors who were teaching traditional martial arts have overnight traded their martial arts uniforms for camouflage pants, shirts and army boots. What is the difference between real Combatives systems like R.a.v.e.n. and these guys? How can people without experience in martial arts recognize and differentiate one from another?

6. Yes there are many instructors who are changing their image to fit in with the popularity of reality based combatives systems. Unfortunately many times it is simply window dressing. There is a mind set shift between training combatives and training martial arts as currently taught in the USA and Europe (Truly Traditional

Martial arts were the combatives of their day and rarely resemble the strip mall arts so popular today). Combatives practitioners approach a common problem differently than most martial arts would. It is a difference in philosophy and training methodology. Unless the instructor has done the research, there is no way they can be training combatives as we define it. No more so than a combatives practitioner putting on a Gi and claiming to teach Judo. It just cant be done. We are talking about apples and oranges. They

are both fruits, they will both satisfy your hunger but they are NOT the same. The average new student will not likely be able to tell the difference. I recommend that you question the instructor. Ask them who and what they have trained in? If they tell you only names of martial arts its probably not a modern reality based system. In developing Raven I have studied social sciences, criminal justice, counter terrorism, criminal and sports psychology, sociology, emergency medicine and first aid, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and more, in order to gain a holistic approach to training and fulfilling the needs of the modern personal protection practitioner. 7. What about Raven Method of Telescopic Baton, please

tell us more about that.7. The Raven Tactical Baton Method is one of our newer programs. As a certified Instructor of several police baton methods I saw simple gaps in training which could be easily rectified. Thus our Baton method was born. We draw from tried and true police baton methods and incorporate tactics for weapon retention, ground survival and more. Our program is unique in that we actually teach lethal force techniques in proper context to Law enforcement office8. You are a co-founder of SABER method of knife training

system, what can kind of system is it?8. The Saber method was founded by myself and combatives trainer Steve Zorn. Initially the program was an edged weapon defense program only. This program

now refereed to as SABER I was based primarily on the research and development by Steve Zorn. The method teaches a few universal techniques and principles that can be flexibly applied to various situations. Edged weapon defense is one of the hardest areas to teach correctly. There is a lot of material that is just not functional. Other material is functional but only after EXTENSIVE training and upkeep. SABER I gives officers a program build around their needs, equipment and training constraints. It is designed to give the average person a good fighting chance against an edged weapon. The material from SABER I is actually the corner stone of the entire raven method.

SABER II is the tactical duty knife program designed by myself. SABER deals with realistic and simple use of the tactical duty knife as a weapon of last resort. Both Programs have been well received by police officers and agencies such as the Pentagon Force Protection Agency.9. You have trained and became an instructor in Apache

knife fighting, please tell us more about that.9. Yes I have trained extensively in Apache Knife Fighting. More specifically I have trained in the Apache Knife Ghost Dog system of the Redfeather Family. Robert Redfeather was my Instructor. Although I am no longer formally affiliated with the organization I remain friends with the Redfeather Brothers Robert and Ralph. The program is a traditional family art taught within the Redfeather Family. Robert Redfeather began teaching the art publicly about a decade ago. The program is very “raw” and “live” and focuses on knife on knife combat. The program also teaches apache guerrilla warfare tactics. The program is by far the most functional and effective program I have experienced to date in respect to knife on knife combat.10. Native American martial arts are totally unknown

here, please tell us more about them, what are the main characteristics of Apache knife fighting?

10. In my opinion two aspects set apache knife Ghost Dog System apart from other knife arts I have trained. The first is that the art is very “LIVE” there is a heavy emphasis on live sparring. It is a very high speed full contact type of experience. The second aspect which is unique is the teaching of battle tactics. The Ghost Dog system also has a strong emphasis on guerilla warfare tactics. No other system that I have studied has explored strategy, distraction and deception as part of combat like the Ghost Dog system. The system also has a very natural method of using foot work that is far superior to traditional foot work in my opinion.

11. You are an instructor for various Police departments, tell us more about what you teach police officers, and what are the similarities and differences between civilian and LEO needs for self defense?

11. I have had the pleasure of teaching officers from many police and sheriffs departments. We have taught officers modules from the Raven Guardian System, including the SABER Method.

I would say the primary difference in teaching police is the following:

a. Police do not train often. Police officers are often not afforded with extended training time. Therefore the material taught to them must be fast and functional in a short period of time.

b. Police Officers are held to a stringent use of force standard. Often techniques are inappropriate for the liability constraints of police officers. Training should reflect their specific reality.

C. Police officers wear vests, duty belts etc. Often techniques in the dojo do not work well when the police officer is wearing their full gear. Techniques should be functional in full gear. If they are not they need to be corrected.12. What advice related to self defense would you give

to our readers?12. The advice I would give readers related to self defense is this. On the physical, Less is more! Find a good simple tool set that works well for you and your natural abilities. Work it hard, in scenarios and own the skills. Basics win fights. Perfect practice makes perfect. There is no secret involved. Just simple hard work with a sound training philosophy. Remember that Modern Reality based training should include a good study in combat physiology, psychology and other related skills. Find an instructor qualified to teach them if not you may need to do the research on your own.13. Raven Tactical International and ICSDA are large

associations, how many instructors and members are there? In how many countries?

13. Raven Tactical International has been active since July of 2009. We are approaching the 1 year mark and have picked up over 150 members from across the USA and abroad. In addition to the members in the USA we have members in Italy, Spain, Iran, Iraq, Serbia, Bosnia, Germany, Scotland, England, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Canada, Mexico, India, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Philippines and Romania. 14. You teach seminars worldwide, can we expect you

in Serbia in near future?14. I hope to be in Serbia in 2011. I look forward to returning to Europe with more great Raven Training. Us visiting Serbia is really up to the Reader. If you Invite us we will come!15. Is there anything you would like to add for our

readers? Any final thoughts?

15. I would like to thank the readers for taking time to learn a little more about Raven Tactical International and our programs. If you are interested in learning more about Raven Tactical international Please visit our website at . You can also enroll in a certification course or organize one in your area!