Graduation was held in the early evening so the most
possible family members could attend. We were finally wearing our
official uniforms complete with a name tag, full leather, and an empty
handgun. This is one of those special occasions in your life where
you feel proud of yourself. You paid for this evening with six long
months of sweat and occasionally blood. You were
sprayed in the face with Mace while at attention, went in the gas house and
removed your mask and found your way out, and who knows how many times the hand
to hand sergeant used you as a crash test dummy. This is
your night and it feels great. This time tomorrow you’d be meeting your
Field Training Officer and experiencing your first night on patrol.

As each new Police Officer heard his name read, they
went forward to receive a certificate and have their badge pinned
on. As the last part you were handed your department approved
ammunition. Most everyone found a reason to go to the bathroom where they
discretely loaded their handgun and quickly returned it to their holster before
heading back to the evening festivities. We were now
complete, and somehow that Smith and Wesson Model 686 felt five times heavier
than it did just five minutes ago. We were now licensed police
officers. We now had our duties and responsibilities under the law as
we’d learned them in the academy.
In the coming weeks I learned two of my classmates who
had went to other agencies had already been in shoot outs. Both had killed
someone. Most of us would go on to serve from a few to 20 or more years
without firing our weapon while on duty. But these two guys.. there
was talk, justified or not.. mention of “The John Wayne Syndrome”
surfaced. This is a syndrome where you feel power drawn from your weapon,
where you feel a responsibility to get involved when maybe you shouldn’t. You could call it the Superman Syndrome and many other names, but you get the
message.
Cops call it the John Wayne Syndrome and it’s one of
the things the FTO watches for in his new trainee above all others. This
is an attitude that will get you killed. Or in some cases
prosecuted. Restraint, good judgment, keen self control, slow to anger,
and sometimes the ability to take it on the chin and walk away.. these are the
traits your FTO looks for.

The John Wayne Syndrome applies directly to CCW holders
as well. The day comes when your new CCW license arrives in the
mail. Will you be ready? Not just with the equipment, your new Glock
and Galco IWB holster I’m sure you’ve had well in advance and you’ve even been
to the range and practiced your draws and live fire exercises. But are you
ready? The next time you leave your home will you be carrying?
If so, don’t fall victim to the John Wayne
Syndrome. Don’t feel special powers. You are NOT required, expected,
or even authorized to get involved with crimes in progress, arguments in the
Walmart parking lot, or with anyone you’ve previously had issues with. You
are NOT a police officer obligated or authorized to do anything other than
protect your life in the face of death or great bodily injury. That’s
it. Any why would you want to? Your life would change, your legal
bills might eat up all of your assets, not to mention the delayed stress and
mental effects if heaven forbid you take a life. You don’t want to
go there. Trust me on this.

You don’t want anyone to know you’re carrying. You don’t want to “print” to impress your friends and make them ask you if
you’re carrying. You don’t want to tell them you are. If you haven’t
overcome the desire to brag, do so now. It’s a last resort that might
save your life someday. That’s it. “Successfully carrying” means
you strapped on your weapon, went about your normal daily life, and you made it
home that evening without anyone knowing, and without having to use your
weapon. Successfully carrying shouldn’t be any different than if
you didn’t carry.
Many people won’t even know they’re having symptoms of
the syndrome. There’s no FTO going with you for the first 3 months to make
sure you don’t do anything terribly stupid. With a CCW you’re on your
won. You’ll be in the close confines of your car with your loaded weapon
and your loved ones, remember your firearm safety rules. If you witness
an altercation or event of the type that might progress DO NOT get
involved. Try to melt away unnoticed, all the time prepared if
you’re unfortunate enough for the attention to be drawn to
yourself.

Ideally you’ll go the rest of your life without ever
needing your concealed weapon. Whether you do or not is mostly dependent
on you. Resist the John Wayne Syndrome. Resist being
superman. Restraint, good judgment, keen self control, slow to anger, and
sometimes the ability to take it on the chin and walk away.. these are the
traits your CCW instructor wishes for you..
Until next time..
