I have been studying armed conflict for over four decades. I went places, talked to people, viewed autopsies, read reports, made contacts, collected data. Today, all it takes is watching videos. If I could have done it easily, I would have, but I certainly don’t regret the journey. I met outstanding people, visited interesting places, had educational conversations, and made friends for life. The network I created was invaluable, though it grows smaller as folks retire or pass away.
I came away with two “truths” regarding gunfights. One, every time you enter conflict you run the risk of losing. Being highly trained is an advantage, but it doesn’t mean you will always prevail. Two, while the human organism is not hard to kill, it can be difficult to stop quickly. To do this, you must violate specific areas of the body that are small and might require multiple hits. It’s true that any hit can stop an attacker, but there are few locations that ensure rapid incapacitation.
The medulla oblongata, located in the back of the head connecting the brain and spinal cord, is the most critical. Face forward, it is behind the nose. It is a key conduit for nerve signals and controls vital processes like breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure and reflex actions like coughing and swallowing. It controls life functions. If damaged, incapacitation is almost instant.
