Fight or Flight.

"The key to success, is the ability to adapt." - Author Unknown

     I learned, back in my high school health class, that we all have what is known as a "Fight or Flight" trait. This means that when we are threatened, somewhere in our minds, we are hardwired to either fight, or flee. And like any muscle, we can train our mind to strengthen either reaction.
  
    Like I said in my first installment; when faced with change, we have two paths that we can choose to walk. On the left... neon lit temptations, and flashing signs of temporary pleasures... is Conformity. To the right, though... lined with skyscraper dreams, and a sea of aspirations... is Adaptation. Now, in my younger, more adventurous years, I've been guilty of kicking it on conformity's block... but today, I write to you as a guy who lives down the right side of the fork in the road.
    By definition, adapting means: to adjust oneself to different conditions, environments, etc.; to make suitable to requirements or conditions; modify fittingly. Nowhere in that definition do I see a word synonymous with flight; which leads me to theorize that people who can adapt are, metaphorically (or hell, maybe literally too.), exceptional fighters!! Now, at one point or another in our lives, we all find ourselves as "the new guy." Whether its in school, at work, in a sport, what have you... we've been on that side of the fence. It's low key scary, I don't care who you think you are. Filled with fear, and racked with anxiety; even if only for a brief moment, we feel inadequate.
    But the only way to conquer fear, is to face it head on, right?? Granted, to each his own, but personally, I would much rather adapt to a situation than conform to it... own it, not let it own me. In comparison to conformity, adaptation, is a bit of an art. There's a certain level of finesse needed to truly master it.
 
    So, back to the new guy... stricken with nervousness, how does one adapt to change?? Well, for starters, it doesn't hurt to have some self confidence, because without it, you're already susceptible to conformity. The sole purpose for adapting, is to fit in by standing out... sounds like a confusing concept, but bear with me. After years of trial and error (meaning, my adolescence.), I've come to the conclusion that a master in the art of adapting has three weapons in his arsenal: he's, first and foremost, extremely charismatic... he's confident as hell, and will charm the pants off anyone (persuasion game's on lock!!). Second, he's got an agile mind... meaning he's a quick thinker and works well under pressure. And his trusty samurai blade, he's motivated... by anything and everything... he has a goal in mind, and will expend all resources at his disposal to achieve the desired end result.
   All the great leaders in history... militarily, politically, or the captain of the football team... were masters of the art. They perfected it, and tailored it to their needs. No one wants to follow a follower, everyone looks to the top for guidance. I have a perfect story that ties all these aspects together, AND it's true!!
  
    Many who know me, know that I'm in the Army. I've been home from Basic Training & Advanced Individual Training for a few months, but I remember it like it was yesterday. During Basic, there is a week near the end of your training cycle, when you spend six days/six nights out in the field... this is the highly anticipated Field Training Exercise. Here you put all that you've learned to the ultimate test... survival (somewhat literal.) You spend the week, sleeping in tents, eating MRE's, bathing with baby wipes (yup, I was about that life.). It's really quite an experience.
    At any given time during that week, your squad will have to leave the wire to go on patrol. You're given a mission, and as the PG, it was my task to execute that mission to perfection. So trusty fourth squad set off into the woods. We marched roughly 1000M, before seeing a village, and being signaled to halt by a member of OpFor. After some words were exchanged between our interpreter and the OpFor sentry, the squad began taking on enemy fire from the windows of the buildings. Nine bodies dove for cover in the treeline, and await for the squad leader's orders... but there was such mass chaos and the squad leader was nowhere in sight!! I looked over to see the rest of the squad prone in the worst positions, returning fire, and I find our squad leader... at the back, fixing his jammed weapon behind the cover of a tree. The next thing I know, a loud high pitched screech rang through the sound of the enemy machine guns... a squad member was down.
    Now I don't know if it was from all my hours logged into Call of Duty, or because I've already gone over every possible scenario in my mind... but a flip switched, and I began yelling for a headcount. Everyone was up, except for one of our SAW gunners... who (and I have no idea how.) ended up in the only clearing in the treeline!! I know it's cliche, but I kid you not, everything was happening in slow motion... I was almost a different person completely. I called for the squad to find cover and return fire. With only eight members now, against at least 14 identified enemy personnel, we were severely out manned... and, with one SAW down, outgunned as well. I decided it wasn't worth the risk of losing another man, trying to retrieve the big gun, so I was going to make due with what I had.
    The village was made up of two rows of buildings opposite each other, and an embassy at the end... and since Alpha Team had the only remaining heavy gun, I had them stay in the cover of the trees and lay down suppressive fire, while myself and the rest of Bravo Team began our assault. Building by building, we stacked and breached (I'm going to use every technical name I can, because it makes the story so dope.), clearing out every room of enemy personnel. Upon clearing one row of buildings, I motioned for alpha team to advance to a vantage point at the end of the village, and lay down some lead on the the buildings across the street, so Bravo could take the embassy. With the cutting precision of a samurai sword, we executed our final objective of seizing the embassy and rescuing the two hostages.

    To be honest, the only thing that I can imagine being scarier than a training exercise, is the real deal. But if you approach any situation, new or familiar, with the three weapons of a master, then the battle is halfway won. It takes practice, though... properly equipped or not, no warrior rushes head first into battle without first familiarizing himself with his arsenal. With time comes experience, and in experience we find wisdom. Know your strengths, know your limits, and know you you possess the potential to adapt to anything life throws your way.