These three affirmations are introduced to beginning students of my academy as 3-part Student Creed. Other martial schools may have a different wording or number, but purpose is same. Each part expresses a belief, trust, or inherent faith held by that student about an equally important part of their progress through Mastery Program and their successful completion of goal they have set out to achieve. The Studert Creed also helps those students with low confidence, self-esteem, and doubts about their ability to be successful, to hear these words over and over again. In time, this repetitive exposure, like that which produced this student's current depressed state, will take root and allow student to change from within to become a walking, talking example of Creed itself.

More than just a set of positive affirmations to be memorized and recited though, when reciting as part of a class or graduation exam, student should speak each part of creed in a way that is charged with emotional intent of heart.

Take a minute and recite 3-Part Student Creed aloud:

1. I believe in myself. I am confident. I can accomplish my goals.

2. I believe in what I study. I am disciplined. I am ready to learn and advance.

3. I believe in my teachers. I show respect to all those who help me progress.

Again, we must remember that these phrases are just words. In and of themselves they hold no innate power. We use them, and ones just like them each and every day of our lives.

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.

***

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."