Introduction

     I don't know the etiquette or protocol of blogging (if there is any), but I figured the best way to start off this blog is with an introductory post.

     This blog was born out of my need for something to do in between night shifts, especially since I stopped drinking indefinitely. As the title suggests, a lot of the material will relate to history and combatives, but as this is my blog, I reserve the right to deviate off-topic.

     Some autobiographical information.
    
     I'm not a historian nor a combat specialist. I have a history BA and I am (largely) self-taught in combatives. I chose the blog title as a reference to the film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, wherein the character Stephen Maturin is referred to as a "fighting naturalist."

     I'm not a martial artist. There's a big difference between martial arts and combatives. While the line can get blurred within certain disciplines, the two are still completely different in the larger scope.

     I began catechism in the Greek Orthodox Church in October of 2014 and was baptized in August of 2015, having never previously been a member of any other faith or religious organization. Aside from being the most important thing in my life, the Orthodox faith has strongly influenced the way in which I view both history and combat (For an interesting perspective of the relation between Orthodoxy and combat, read up on the Russian martial art Systema).

    Not surprisingly, I have a strong conviction regarding the importance of history. Ignorance (and arguably, lack) of history is why my fellow Americans are so easily influenced by anything and everything.

     I hope, through this blog, I can impart something helpful to somebody somewhere.