
The Debrief with Jon Becker Left of Bang Revisited with Patrick Van Horne
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Sep 24, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Patrick Van Horne, a Marine Corps veteran and co-author of 'Left of Bang,' shares insights on threat recognition and proactive violence prevention. He explains the Combat Hunter program, emphasizing the shift from reactive to proactive measures. Patrick discusses how recognizing pre-event indicators can enhance decision-making and resource efficiency. He also highlights the broader applications of this framework beyond military contexts, such as in cybersecurity and public health, showcasing its significance in today's unpredictable world.
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How Combat Hunters Were Born
- Patrick Van Horne describes how enemies in Iraq blended with civilians to avoid detection, creating lethal reactive cycles.
- The Combat Hunter Program was created to let Marines spot those threats earlier and take initiative.
Meaning Of Left Of Bang
- "Left of bang" means spotting pre-event indicators before time zero so you gain options.
- Recognizing pre-event cues lets you influence outcomes rather than only react after impact.
Start With The Baseline
- Establish a clear baseline of "what's normal here" before you judge anomalies.
- Use deviations above or below that baseline to efficiently identify people with violent intent.





