And his discomfort had metastasized into persistent, subtle disrespect towards every woman around him. It wasn’t just me; it was a constant, low-level harassment that he thought was harmless commentary.

Sergeant Williams started the brief. “Today’s focus is defensive techniques,” he announced to the group of nearly 300. “Techniques that work regardless of size or strength. The key is leverage, timing, and exploiting your opponent’s momentum rather than fighting against it.”

I stepped forward, my movements economical and precise. My heart hammered, but my breath was steady. I wasn’t just performing drills; I was showing them how to save their lives. I had invested countless hours perfecting these skills, driven by the knowledge that in real combat, I would always be the size underdog. These were potentially life-saving skills, not just showpieces.