Book SummaryLeft of Bang, by Patrick Van Horne and Jason A. Riley

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Left of Bang

In Left of Bang, Patrick Van Horne and Jason A. Riley explain how to proactively identify and respond to threats before they materialize. The book is based on the Combat Hunter program, which was developed by the United States Marine Corps to enhance situational awareness and threat detection skills. The authors argue that by understanding human behavior and environmental cues, individuals can make better decisions and potentially save lives.

Van Horne is a former Marine Corps officer and the founder of The CP Journal, a...

Left of Bang Summary Core Concepts and Theoretical Framework

The authors introduce the idea of "before an attack," which emphasizes proactive measures to prevent attacks before they occur. "Bang" is when an attack occurs. The phrase "left of bang" refers to the time before an attack, while "right of bang" refers to the time after.

They explain that most training for the military and police is reactive, teaching people to respond to attacks after they happen. However, the individual who strikes first has a powerful advantage. The Marines created a training initiative called Combat Hunter to prepare Marines to proactively seek threats and take action before an attack occurs. The program teaches Marines to identify pre-event indicators that suggest an attack is likely to happen soon. Since these indicators can be difficult to recognize, Marines must be intensely observant of their environment to spot them.

Origins of the Idea of Acting Before an Attack

The authors’ emphasis on pre-event indicators and acting before an attack has roots in earlier works. One influential predecessor is Gavin de Becker’s 1997 book The Gift of Fear, which explores how subtle cues in everyday life...

Left of Bang Summary Practical Application: Domains, Indicators, and Decision-Making

The authors explain the importance of recognizing different types of insider threats and attacks. These violent acts are perpetrated against our forces by those who ought to be most trustworthy: fellow coalition members and even our military and defense staff. Insider attacks fall into two categories: those from joint security force members against coalition personnel and those involving U.S. personnel firing on each other. Green-against-blue assaults are those targeting coalition members by collaborative security units. Blue-on-blue attacks occur when U.S. personnel mistakenly or negligently fire on their own forces.

(Shortform note: The color-coded terminology used here is a common way to describe different types of military forces and their interactions. In this context, “blue” refers to coalition forces, while “green” refers to local security forces. The “X-on-Y” formula simply indicates which group is acting against the other.)

Sometimes, attacks against U.S. personnel by members of the military, contractors, or government employees occur due to intentional, malevolent motives. The authors note that the risk of "green-on-blue"...

Shortform Exercise: Intuition and Decision-Making

In high-stress situations, individuals must make rapid decisions, often relying on intuition and limited information. Reflect on the role of intuition and decision-making processes as discussed in the text.

How can intuition aid in decision-making during high-pressure situations? Consider how experience plays a role in developing intuitive skills.