I was asked to share some of my experience in dealing with an attack and following story came to mind. Though I have much experience with dealing with danger and dangerous people, this particular situation stands out as both a successful outcome where I was able to use some of my ninpo-taijutsu martial arts training, and a learning experience where I was actually able to control both my awareness and response, instead of mentally shutting down and "hoping" for best.

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The incident occurred many years ago while I was stationed in, what was then, West Germany. I was serving with United States Army Military Police Corps. My partner and I were called to respond to a unit where a serviceman was assaulting others, including officer-in-charge.

When we arrived at, what we thought was, location of incident, there was no one but Charge of Quarters present. He had no idea about incident. What none of us knew was that 'problem' was occurring next door and moving in our direction.

While my partner and I were confirming call with our superiors, attacker entered building where we were. He was obviously intoxicated and shouting racial insults and demanding satisfaction before he started a 'real war.' By smell of him, he had been drinking heavily and primarily whiskey. His clothes showed signs of a struggle and at this point I wasn't sure if I was facing an attacker or victim of an assault.

I immediately tried to calm individual and find out what problem was. As I was doing this, several other soldiers, including command duty officer entered building and became involved. The belligerent soldier was going on with his racial attacks and how he was attacked by what he thought were his friends. It was then that he turned his attention to me and began implying that he had martial arts experience and "didn't have to prove himself to anyone."

During this, and later after interviewing witnesses, we found that individual had tested for his black belt in another martial art earlier that day and was out 'celebrating' with his friends. Witnesses testified that more intoxicated he became, more he started "showing off" to his friends which involved hitting and kicking. Eventually, his friends had had enough and then attempted to stop his obnoxious behavior by pushing him away and leaving him behind. This only made him more "playful" at which time he jumped on his friends resulting in them throwing him down on ground. It was this that finally enraged him enough to chase them to barracks and begin attacking others.

As he was telling me that he didn't have to prove himself, he also made statements that I only thought that I was tougher than him because I carried a gun, a nightstick and wore an MP helmet. I responded by removing my helmet and handing my night stick to my partner in an attempt to neutralize any perceived threat that I might be projecting and bring soldier's anxiety level down. I informed him that gun stayed where it was but that we needed to talk like civilized men so we could solve whatever problem was going on.

The soldier continued on with "I'm a black belt and don't need to prove how tough I am" speech when he closed distance and, from about an inch from my face, stated that, "I'm going to show you how tough you're not."

During your entire life you have been sending messages to others through your posture, gestures, and facial expressions.

Even if you never say a word, your face and body are constantly sending out messages to other people about your state of mind, your happiness, and your level of confidence.

When you were an infant, before you learned to speak, people were peering into your little baby face, looking at your gestures, and listening to your little cries and gurgles, trying to decipher what kind of mood you were in, and what you were trying to say.

And you have been reacting to body language, voice tone, and facial expressions of people around you all your life, even though you may not have been consciously aware of it.

What sorts of messages are you conveying to others with your body language? Does your body language encourage other people to approach you? Or do you subconsciously warn them to stay away?

How do you usually stand or sit when you are with other people? What are you doing with your hands? Where are you looking with your eyes?

Does your face express interest in people you are with, or does your face stay a tense, stony mask?

When you are sitting or standing, do you usually cross your arms across your chest? If this is your typical way of standing or sitting, how do you think other people interpret this posture? Did you realize that most people will subconsciously interpret your arms crossed in front of your chest as a signal that you don’t want anyone to approach you? Only bravest souls are likely to come forward when you adopt this posture.

If you stand awkwardly, with your chest slumped forward, your shoulders drooping, and your eyes avoiding everyone else, people are likely to decide you are very depressed or completely lacking in confidence. They may fear that trying to talk with you will be an awkward experience.

When you stand awkwardly, you do not project any sign that you are confident in yourself, or that you have any interest in people around you. Instead you look like you are trying to disappear.