The goal is get you trained enough to defend yourself as fast as possible so concepts from the knives and dummy are taught early
I like this attitude. Obviously with so much material, you can't rush things ...but getting the essential concepts out there quickly makes perfect sense if you want people to be able to apply their stuff functionally.
This is what I like about the Escrima I train. It provides the directness and immediate practicality that is sometimes lacking in our WC curriculum. Some fault me for not being a pure WC guy, but the combination works for me.