Being A Sheep Dog: Who Are They? What Does It Mean?

Last night while dining out for my wife's birthday my mother-in-law asked me what I mean when I talk about being a sheepdog.  This made me realize that some people might not be familiar with the term "sheepdog" and what it means so I figured that it would make an excellent first post.  The most common examples of sheep dogs are soldiers and law enforcement officers that face mortal danger every day willingly to ensure a safe, secure way of life for most.  We must not forget though the minority of civilians that are willing to put themselves in harm's way to protect their fellow man (or woman).  I think it was explained best by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman:

 One Vietnam veteran, an old retired colonel, once said this to me: “Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident.”...


...“Then there are the wolves,” the old war veteran said, “and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy.” ...


...“Then there are sheepdogs,” he went on, “and I’m a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf.” Or, as a sign in one California law enforcement agency put it, “We intimidate those who intimidate others.”

If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen: a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath--a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? Then you are a sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero’s path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed.

On Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs(From the book, On Combat, by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman)

I realized that I wanted to be a sheepdog in 1998 when I joined the Texas Air National Guard.  I felt a deep sense of duty to my country and fellow man.  It is more than just a thought or an ideal to me.  I cannot speak for others but for me it is an emotion so strong that I can physically feel it when I think about it.

"Honor never grows old, and honor rejoices the heart of age. It does so because honor is, finally, about defending those noble and worthy things that deserve defending, even if it comes at a high cost. In our time, that may mean social disapproval, public scorn, hardship, persecution, or as always, even death itself.
The question remains: What is worth defending? What is worth dying for? What is worth living for?"- William J. Bennett
  In a lecture to the United States Naval Academy
  November 24, 1997

  When I hear of people being victims it makes me angry at the wolves and sad for the sheep.  Being a sheepdog can be a lonely existence though.  The sheep will turn there backs on us.  Our fangs and fierce demeanor remind them of the wolf which they try so hard to ignore.  However, it is the sheepdogs that the sheep will cling to when the wolves grow near.  Remember the feelings toward the sheepdogs after 9-11-01?

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready  in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."
-George Orwell

What do you think about sheepdogs?  When did you decide to become one?  Leave me some feedback and please visit the folks over at ITS Tactical for great tips on EDC and other great topics to fill your tactical tool chest.