There really are authentic warriors who live and work around us. We take them for granted, rarely give them much thought, and may not even notice them until something happens. We depend on them, can’t live without them, but may not even know their names. They protect us, and thanks to them, we can go about our lives in peace.

Who are the warriors of our time?

They are the men and women who serve in the military and those who work in the various branches of law enforcement. They deal with the worst situations, the worst people in society and the world, and occasionally with real evil. They confront things that most other people would run from. They can find themselves in a situation where they are protecting lives by taking another life at the same time. Then they have to carry that burden from that day on.

They have to think, respond, and act in situations that may involve extreme stress. Those situations may paralyze most people, but they are expected to act and solve the problem decisively. Deal with it and still survive.

Being an effective Warrior depends on training and developing the right skill sets. The skills need to be learned well so that they are automatically available when needed. There are situations where there is no time to ponder or consider options.

They have to function competently in levels of stress in which most other people would be overwhelmed and unable to function. Four Warriors throughout time have had to react as reflexively as possible.

Developing an effective reaction time takes practice.

What takes place when we react to something?

Our senses and the brain recognize what is going on in the situation, then pick the right response to whatever is that threat. Then he or she has to react with appropriate speed. This is how the brain cognitively processes the information. The threat is perceived, identified, and an appropriate motor response is initiated. This is how we survive.

There is a factor with which the warrior must cope to be effective. When faced with significant stress, the heart rate accelerates. If excessive, that can interfere with their motor response as well as the cognitive processing of the situation. The perception of threat to one’s survival is like no other intense experience.

The antidote for this is adequate training and practice. These things foster confidence. The confidence reduces the heart rate, which then allows clear thinking and appropriate action.

To survive, the warrior must have a warrior mindset. That mindset includes confidence, valuing their own life as well as other people’s lives, believing in their job or mission, and then to have faith in their knowledge and training.

Such are the Warriors among us.

— Dr. Joseph Switras provides clinical psychological services at United Health District in Fairmont to people age 5 and up.