“A generation who ignores history has no past - and no future.” - Robert Heinlein

Anyone who spends any time talking to me knows that I am a student of warrior philosophy, culture, and history. We can get invaluable lessons about our craft, and more importantly about life, from learning about those who came before us and emulating those aspects of their warrior cultures that can help guide our way. That’s the positive. Like so many other things though, there’s a potential negative as well.

There’s a phenomenon in our current warrior class where it’s become fashionable to identify ourselves with our historical counterparts, or even fictional warriors. This is to some degree undoubtedly driven by social media and pop culture. There are instructors, soldiers and SWAT cops on Instagram and Facebook promoting themselves as members of warrior classes long extinct, or in some cases warrior cultures that exist only in fiction.

There’s nothing wrong with learning from our history. There is so much to gain from the examples of our predecessors. But there’s a huge difference between studying history, and identifying with something you’re not. I spent my entire life studying martial arts, but I’m not a Samurai. I’m a Green Beret. I love the stoic philosophy of the Greeks and Romans, but I’m not a Spartan or Praetorian. I’m SWAT. I’m of European ancestry, but I’m not a Viking or a Templar. I’m an American soldier and cop. And as much as I love speculative fiction, I’m not a Jedi either.

When I was contemplating my retirement and thinking of starting my training business I had a phone conversation with a trainer who is extremely popular on social media. He was giving me his advice on marketing and branding myself. He suggested that I pick a historical persona to identify with, one that embodied warrior ideals and performance at the highest levels. I remember thinking that he and I were Green Berets, why would we need a different warrior class to identify with than the one were already a part of?

We have a warrior class in our society now the equal of any that has ever existed. And if you want to be part of that, the opportunity is there. We have been at war for almost 19 years. Anyone who truly wanted to get in the fight has had plenty of time to do so. If you are a raider, or a green beret, or a ranger or seal or jtac, you are already the modern version of what people try to emulate. There’s no need to be anything but what you already are.

And if you didn’t get in the fight, that’s ok. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a student of shooting and tactics for your own personal protection and growth. This is a martial art in the purest sense. There are huge benefits to be gained from its pursuit. And this is the very essence of the American warrior culture. If this is you, you are embodying the true spirit of the second amendment. However, you’re not a Mandalorian. You’re not the Punisher. And that’s ok too.

Training is serious business. A fight for your life is as grave as it gets. But that doesn’t mean we have to take ourselves so seriously. And it definitely doesn’t mean we can’t have fun along the way. And we need to learn from our forebears, studying warrior philosophy and history is of immense value, and not just for our craft. It can teach us how to live an authentic and fulfilling life. But we need to keep it in perspective. Take the lessons, but leave the trappings and affectations aside. They will only slow your growth as a warrior and as a person.