When working as a part of law enforcement – or at any sort of a security job, such as working as a bouncer – it’s a good idea to learn at least some Judo, Jiu-Jitsu or Wrestling… As it will keep you safe and sound in potentially dangerous situations.
BJJ Black Belt Andrew Wiltse shares his experiences working as a bouncer in a podcast interview, highlighting the realities and challenges of applying martial arts skills in real-world scenarios.
The Harsh Realities of Bouncer Work
Wiltse reflects on his time as a bouncer, acknowledging both the value and the dangers of the job. He states, “I am fortunate I think that I was able to work security for a while and get that Real World experience… I wouldn’t do it again.” His stint in Mount Vernon, Illinois, a town with high rates of violent crime, provided him with many unavoidable confrontations. “I got in a lot of fights that I didn’t want to get in.”
A Trained Fighter’s Perspective
With extensive training in various martial arts, Wiltse found himself in a unique position as a bouncer. “I’m fully trained in a lot of different [stuff]… I’m also decorated in competition so I’m ready to go hard.” Despite his skills and competitive success, he emphasizes the unpredictable and often dangerous nature of street fights: “I won all my street fights if you can call it a win, but it’s like I took damage, I got hurt.”
The Reality of Fighting on Hard Surfaces
Wiltse highlights the significant difference between martial arts in a controlled environment and real-life altercations on hard surfaces. “I learned to respect hard surfaces… there were times we bumped into tables… or times where I was mounting someone and they bucked and then I brought my knee back down in the concrete.”
Legal and Ethical Implications
One of the critical points Wiltse makes is about the legal and ethical implications of physical confrontations. “You could win the fight but go to jail forever,” he notes, recounting an incident where his actions, though intended to subdue an aggressor, could have had severe consequences.
Andrew Wiltse’s experiences as a bouncer reveal the complex reality of applying martial arts outside of the gym or competition. His insights underscore the unpredictable nature of real-world confrontations, the potential for injury even for a trained fighter, and the importance of considering the legal and ethical aspects of physical altercations.
