G-1 TACTICAL TRAINING SHOOT

So this past weekend, Simon and myself were hired to fly off to the Philippines to shoot for several days.  The subject was a tactical training and solutions school called "G-1 TACTICAL".The school was founded by a friend of ours, Chris Collins, who had helped us out on some previous shoots.Chris started this school in the fall and its been picking up steam quickly.You see, Chris is ex-military and he sure knows what he's talking about.We had to catch the 9:45am flight out to Clark Airforce Base and there was only ONE flight a day, so arriving late was NOT an option.We weren't the only media out there.  RTHK was going to shoot a piece on Wing Chun and the military and how Chris incorporates it into his lessons.Boys and their TOYS...Chris preparing his students for the next challenge.The other instructors are all either former military or law enforcement.This month we were attending a 5-day course.  The first couple days consisted of training in the use of 3 techniques: RIFLE, PISTOL and KNIFE.They ran drills shooting at targets and movement.  They were also taught how to work as a team.On the 4th day then, all of these skills were put to the test in an exercise called "SMOKE & FIRE".This was basically a gauntlet that the students had to run through, with simulated gunshots and real explosions (small ones!).  Their objective was to reach the end of the course and drag the injured body (a punching bag) out of the danger zone.And we were right in there up in the mix, capturing the dramaWho's gonna run this town tonight?..........apparently not SimonOn the 5th and final day, we were dropped into the jungle so that we could learn "JUNGLE AWARENESS" training.We would start at 7am and finish around 6pm.  11 HOURS.We were not allowed to bring ANY food with us, ONLY WATER.We would have to find the rest in the jungleA little mission briefing before heading out.The only tool we could use was this:  The BOLO KNIFE.What would help us most would be the environment we were in.  What was abundant among us were BAMBOO TREES.Now these trees could HURT you if you weren't careful, but they could also provide you with nourishment.  We were shown unique sources of water like from vines and inside the wood.Later we would find out just how versatile the Bamboo really was.Halfway through, we climbed a mountain and rested at this perch.We finally reached our destination:  BASE CAMP.  It was here that we would learn all the uses of the bamboo.  We made CUPS, BOWLS and eating utensils with it. We made FIRE with it.  We even made RICE COOKERS to cook our food in.  I was simply amazed at how many things we could make with just a Bolo Knife and some bamboo.Simon working hard.We were also shown how to make some natural looking traps.Our final test was to cross a river by making a bridge completely out of bambooAll in all, it was a very fun and unique experience, one where I felt tested and having the need to survive.  I now feel I'm THAT much closer to satisfying my inner RAMBO. If you would like more info on this, head over to G1's website.OVER AND OUT.