Editor’s Note: In PoliceOne “First Person” essays, our Members and Columnists candidly share their own unique view of the world. This is a platform from which individual officers can share their own personal insights on issues confronting cops today, as well as opinions, observations, and advice on living life behind the thin blue line. This week’s essay comes from PoliceOne Member and occasional contributor Chuck Soltys. Do you want to share your own perspective with other P1 Members? Send us an e-mail with your story.
By Chuck Soltys
I recently read an incredible book I thought Police1 readers might consider reading. In my opinion, the book is exceptional — a book that every warrior should read.
Author Phil Messina is a retired NYPD detective who spent a chunk of his career mixing it up with some of New York’s toughest criminal predators. Out of sheer necessity, he became a tenacious street fighter. For many years now he has been training police officers on how to prevail in multiple assailant confrontations and other cutting edge defensive tactics.
In recent years, however, he has learned from some challenges that were in many ways tougher than any he faced on the street; cancer and a devastating setback in his personal life. When many would have thrown up their hands and called it quits, Messina decided to search for the good which can be found in any adversity; that strength which not only drives one to persevere, but also may produce a refined knowledge that can have a positive impact on others. Warrior 101 is the result of his contemplation.
The pages of Warrior 101 contain messages, contemplations, and advice for making the reader not only a better warrior, but a better spouse, friend, and person. There are many wise and intelligent people in this world, both past and present, but there have been few true philosophers. Messina is just that...a philosopher. Each one page “chapter” in his book is designed to be read one chapter a day for 101 days, hence the title Warrior 101. Each chapter contains a message with insight and ends with an affirmation and gives the reader the opportunity to look deep inside himself. While this book may have been intended to read one chapter a day, each chapter leaves the reader wanting more. By design, the book can be read in sequence or in any order. The reader will undoubtedly want to keep this book close by for regular reference.
For hundreds of years, the Art of War by Sun Tsu has been recommended reading for every serious warrior and tactician. Warrior 101 is the new “Art of War” for today’s modern warrior. A century from now when the world may be guarded by futuristic cyber warriors, Warrior 101 may very well still be on the recommended reading list.
Messina has trained the minds and bodies of countless law enforcement officers and military personnel through his popular defensive tactics school. With this book, he trains the soul. As an added bonus, there is a Forward by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman and Messina has committed to donating $1.00 of each sale to the International Law Enforcement Educators & Trainers Association (ILEETA) Trinity of Dedication Fund.
While this book is geared toward those who will go in harm’s way, it will benefit people in any walk of life. This book receives my highest recommendation!
