Inside the Team Room: Stand and Fight, With Jim West – Street Fighting Man

In this first episode of SOFREP’s “Stand and Fight” series, Jack Murphy interviews fellow Green Beret and street fighting legend Jim “Smokey” West.

Jim has been fighting his entire life. He started out in rural Georgia, the youngest of numerous siblings, and recalled being constantly picked on as a child. Eventually, he began training in Kung Fu, and his fighting skills grew exponentially over the years. Today, he is a Grand Master in the American Open Style Karate System, boasting a strong background in boxing, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

Over the years, he has trained fellow Special Forces operators, Delta Force, Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, and CIA operatives in close-quarters combat. On the civilian side, he has trained UFC fighters, professional boxers, and kickboxers. The veteran of up to 3 or 4 bar fights in one day, Jim knows his stuff and has survived to tell the tale.

The topic of the day is street fighting. Jim says it all comes down to being willing to hurt people. He feels most Americans today would rather be hurt than hurt someone else. That’s a recipe for disaster in a street fight.

Take a few minutes, watch the video, and get the straight dope from someone who has been there and done that and is willing to share his tips for survival and success.