Back to the PawMark Article MenuAn Overview of the Sacramento VST Workshop
© 2001-1998 by Ed Presnall
All Rights Reserved
As Published In STA's On-Track
At an out of the way deserted campus they met to listen to their general. They learned that it appeared to some that a mutiny was brewing. Some of the commanders who reviewed and inspected the performance of the troops were interpreting the rules of engagement not, as in the original intent, but in a method to fit their individual needs or requirements. He stood with them, facing a muddy plot of ground, in a cold steady rain to offer comfort and guidance.
They had come together, a group of urban guerrillas, to discuss strategy and plan actions to change the future. During the previous year many battles had been lost and many of their friends and comrades had fallen in action. They remised about their failures and rejoiced over the few battles that had been won. Each of them knew they must prepare for the battles to come. He spoke of new actions, of battle plans, changes in the rules of engagement and hope for the future. They learned that battles in the snow or the placement of markers to point the direction of the trail would no longer be allowed. The unintentional ambushes, where many of their friends had fallen, were discussed in an effort to prevent further losses. Questions were asked and numerous answers were offered. The unknown variables of any action left some without a clear cut definition of how to succeed ... but a strategy was being formed.
A few of their sorties had been successful. Those performances were critiqued and the leaders pre-battle plans were discussed. A pattern was developing. It was a game of cat and mouse. Those that were successful had carefully chosen their battlefield and their opponents. They were working close, skirting the fences and buildings. Picking their way through the minefields of tunnels, crosswalks and patios of the theater one footstep at a time. They looked for the slightest indication that their quarry had proceeded in the direction they were moving. Failing to find the indication, they retreated to the last known spot of contact and started searching again. They were driven, almost likes zealots, to succeed. Planning, training and executing every component of the battle plan seemed to be one of the keys to success.
He split them into small groups hoping they could learn by pooling their resources. One of the successful was placed with each team to offer insight from their experience. Plotting strategy, they marched through the surrounding area drawing maps of possible plans of attack and searching for possible ambush points. When the maps were complete, he walked with them to critique their ideas and test their theories. They watched the simulated battles they had created and saw that with even the best plans, mistakes could happen. A momentary loss of concentration, a change in weather conditions or expanding their search area too quickly could mean almost instant failure.
New comrades had been recruited and were welcomed into the fold. They came from various walks of life, each with a similar goal. In their former lives they had been policemen, rescue leaders, accountants, salesmen, homemakers and consultants. Most of them were women. Now they would train and enhance the performance of their team to hopefully win the next battle. They were learning.
In the future some will fall but more and more will succeed in their quest. The movement is growing and with the continued assistance of other rebel groups, like the sponsors of this meeting, will prosper over time. They came together to share their rations and exchange equipment and training ideas. This was only a planned skirmish. Preparation for a war to come.
The rag-tag army was quickly becoming a cohesive group that someday will write their names in the history books. They are the future. This meeting was a success. In pairs and small teams, they slipped off into the darkness. Their minds and notebooks full of potential solutions and ideas for further training. Only time will tell if the ideas exchanged between these urban guerrillas will increase the success ratio of the battles. During that time we will watch, hope and attempt to help those who are preparing to go forth and expand on these ideals.
The dream will survive, for it is the blueprint for the future.
© 2003-1996 - Ed Presnall - All Rights Reserved