The Curriculum at Tactical Studies

Tactical Studies Group teaches an American system of martial art which may be called the Art of the Invisible Hand. The curriculum consists in six categories of study and training:

1

Philosophy

A system of rational moral and ethical principles respecting character and conduct by which to integrate and govern conviction, action and speech. The philosophy is based in the principles of Individualism, Capitalism and Empiricism as manifest in limited government, free market economics, and scientific method, and as proclaimed and codified in the American Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States and its Bill of Rights. Our philosophy is based also on the cultivation and use of empathy as admonished in the Book of Leviticus and taught by Hillel the Babylonian, by Lord Gautama; the Buddha, and by the sage Kung Fu Tze. All of this boils down to a single principle: Justice.

2

Policy

A body of desirable ends and of acceptable means by which to attain them at tolerable risk and cost, defined and delimited by moral principles and ethical conduct. The policies of Tactical Studies are:

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  • To live as best one can in justice and propriety by respecting and defending the rights of all persons in knowing and defending first one's own, and by subjecting no person to such treatment as would be repugnant to oneself.

  • To arrive at philosophic conviction responsibly, that is, through experience, reflection, imagination, study, training, and testing.

  • To act responsibly, that is with awareness of the probable long term consequences of one's acts to the whole community, taking into account the rights of all persons.

  • To accept the consequences to oneself of one's own acts.

  • Having formed conviction responsibly, to act upon it properly and to speak of it only after the fact, such that one's words conform to one's actions.

  • Individual rights are fundamental, universal and perennial; if one person's rights are not secure, then no one's are. Therefore, respect and defend the rights of all persons in knowing and defending first your own.

3

Logistics

Those commodities, mechanisms and systems necessary to the implementation of policy through the execution of strategy and tactics.

4

Strategy

Extensive, long term methods by which to implement policy objectives.

5

Tactics

Restricted, short term methods by which to achieve limited strategic objectives.

6

Skills

The systemic mental and physical means of operating those mechanisms necessary to logistical, strategic and tactical operations. Close combat skills of this curriculum include:

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  • Boxing and Trapping Skills

  • Grappling and Tumbling Skills

  • Blunt Weapons

  • Edged Weapons such as the Knife and Sword

  • Firearms (where not prohibited by law)

Taken together, the principles and mechanisms of what may be called the Art of the Invisible Hand, can enable the private individual to articulate a system of limited autonomy consisting in the principles of morality, i.e.: of justice and propriety, in a method of self governance according to those principles secured and defended by the just and proper use of force, and in the technical methods by which to cultivate and deploy deception and force within the limits of the law.

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The method is a simple and effective means by which the trainee can govern his or her own life utilizing the same basic, general principles of governance by which nation states are governed, limited by the moral principles proclaimed by the Founding Fathers of the United States of America in paragraph two of the Declaration of Independence.

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The principles are few and simple; the applications are numerous and varied, extending well beyond the problems of close combat.

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The art is accessible to all persons and may be applied everywhere and at all times to advantage.

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The method enables the practitioner to do four things:

  1. to avoid dangerous problems,

  2. to solve unavoidable problems efficiently, that is, without resort to force,

  3. to respond to violence with the judicious use of deception and or force,

  4. to be aware of the probable consequences of the force option and to prepare for them.


It should be understood that our expertise and qualifications do not extend to all aspects of the six categories, particularly as they apply to law enforcement and military operations, and that these areas will be considered theoretically as appropriate, where they affect a proper understanding of civic martial art. At the Tactical Studies Group, we tend to concentrate on philosophy, policy, tactics and skills while covering some practical, theoretical and historical aspects of logistics and strategy.

Tactical Studies Group will work with you to develop a curriculum around your goals and schedule. For more information on private instruction and group classes, or to schedule a private interview, please call 212-749-1220 or Click Here to Request Information.

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For a thorough treatment of our method, read Igensho: The Book of Dignity: General Principles of Martial Art.