Ninja.

When you mention the term, the image of an assassin dressed in black comes to mind. While this archetype was once true, in the modern era, studying the warrior arts involves a dedication and training that tests your mettle and resourcefulness. The Grandmaster of the Bujinkan Honbu is Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi from Noda, Japan. While no one who studies Bujinkan refer to themselves as ninja, this martial arts form is open to all. Don't get the idea that the modern Bujinkan student has a six-pack and can do 100 push-ups at a time. It's not matter of  cosmetics, unlike most Martial arts films would lead you to believe (The films made by Cannon  Studios, starring Sho Kosugi, or Chuck Norris come to mind); it's a matter of will. The warrior doesn't brag about what they study, they just wait and watch. They're easy to see in any crisis situation. It is not the loudmouth at the bar who is the biggest threat; it's the guy in the back who is quiet and keeps to himself.

They wish they were beside Jeffrey Beamer from Cranbury, New Jersey, the man aboard United 93 on September 11th. When he called into the operator saying that his flight was being hijacked, he learned of the three other flights that were also hijacked. He dropped his cell phone to the floor and said these immortal words: "Let's roll.."  It doesn't matter  whether he was an accountant or a  cop; a construction worker or a deli clerk, he did what a warrior would have done. He set aside his fear in one moment and took action. We should only hope we can ever be like him, or help someone like that. Bud Malmstrom has a great article called "On Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs". That link to that article is here.

They wish they were amongst the soldiers of the US Airborne's 506 Infantry Regiment, so wonderfully portrayed in the mini-series Band of Brothers.   They dropped into France during D-Day, fought in Operation Market Garden, which helped secure the bridges in German-occupied Netherlands, then they went on to Bastogne, Foy and eventually captured Hitler's Eagle Nest.

Or there on that terrible day on July 3, 1863 when Pickett's charge ran into the Union Forces of Major General George G. Meade at the Battle of Gettysburg. They suffered 50% casualties amongst the 12,500 soldiers who followed orders that day and went to their deaths.

Most warriors are in the shadows. They are the SEALS, and the members of Delta Force who follow orders and get the job done. Our favorite story of a SEAL commander are the stories by Dick Marcinko, especially Rogue Warrior. They walk among us every day, they wear the shield of the police, or the fire department, and maybe they are people you know intimately---just waiting for the call to action. Perhaps, under the right circumstances, there's a warrior in all of us.