[MR] Re: Heavy Combat School

[War College]

Hello All,
Please allow me to introduce myself.  I am Michael Thomas Sommerfield <aka 
Mikhail Kazimirovich Pomeshanov, aka Misha>.  Please call me Misha.
I see a thread that is near and dear to my heart and feel compelled to 
respond.

War College <for better or worse> is my brain child.  It is meant to educate 
the individual fighter in the use of each weapon style.  More specifically, 
it is loosely based on Academy of the Rapier <the event, not the group>, in 
which I also had a hand in its conception and running.  It is supposed to go 
like this:

Each weapon style has a set of classes; Basic for novice and Avanced for 
experienced fighters.  Classes run through most of the day with a "bop 'til 
you drop" bear pit such that you can use what you have learned for the day.  
This gives those who do not have ready access to expert fighters and chance 
to learn and those who do have access the chance to work with some other 
than the ones with whom they usually work.

I have had to make adjustments to the format.  It is felt by some that if 
you have that many people in one place at one time that melee tactics are a 
must.  I can not say as I completely disagree.  However, in my mind if you 
put an untrained soldier in combat, he is not only going to be making many 
trips to resurrection point, he may do more harm than good by getting 
confused and in the way.  I speak from personal experience in this matter.  
Luckily for me I am too bull-headed to give up.  This does not even begin to 
cover the individual's personal satisfaction of "doing well" in a weapons 
form.

I am also trying something new in the "traveling training" area.  I am not 
autocrating the next War College <being held March 1-3, see your local Acorn 
for details>.  This will be the first time I have not had an active hand in 
War College.  Frankly, its a bit like letting you child go out on a first 
date. :-)  Sir Jason, who is putting the classes together, has worked with 
me and I have all confidence in him.

If you have not attended a War College, you might want to give it a try.  
One person who attended the last one said he got his money's worth <that 
being cost of the event> in training before lunch.  If you have been and 
wish to make suggestions, please feel free to do so.  I am always looking 
for input.  I will be happy to discuss any topic centered around War College 
in person.  Look for me at events.  Ask for Misha.

In Service,
Lord Michael Thomas Sommerfield
aka Mikhail Kazimirovich Pomeshanov
aka Misha


>Message: 5
>Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2002 10:35:50 -0800 (PST)
>From: Anne Duncan <acdkayak at yahoo.com>
>To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
>Subject: [MR] Heavy Combat School
>
>I love that idea.  As an interested, but untrained
>fighter, I believe it would be more than beneficial to
>have some sort of school setup to learn in a more
>structured environment.  I would be willing to help
>organize from the point of view of the newcomer
>fighters or administratively.  Perhaps the schooling
>could be setup as part of events similar to how rapier
>is handled at University?  (just a thought)
>
>Avina de Bray
>
>
>"I think there are many of us out there who want to
>learn, and will
>support a school designed to teach us. I know I would.
>It would be
>worth
>it to me to know that I can get the training I want
>without wondering
>if
>anyone else will show tonight. Or if the practice will
>be canceled
>because of rain. What do the rest of you think?
>
>Torfin de Carric



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