Over the last few posts, we’ve discussed preparing our home, vehicle, and communications for unrest. Now, it’s to talk about ways to prepare OURSELVES to face what is to come. We were warned that we would face troubles in this life:
“…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33b
It starts with simple things – the clothes we wear.
In 13 Hours, Tanto says “this could be the start of the Holy War”, to which Boone replies, “You’re going to fight the Holy War in shorts? Strong move.” While my aversion to wearing shorts has become deep internet lore, there is a practical reason for it. In the areas I’ve spent most of my adult life, there are nasty and dirty things on the ground. I want a layer between me and them. That’s it – it’s really that simple. No matter how warm it is outside, if I am ever concerned with having the ability to fight or hide, I want long pants to prevent ground rocks, broken glass, pavement, nasty substances, and wet fluids from contacting my skin and getting pushed into the inevitable little cuts and scrapes. Note: I’m ALWAYS concerned with having the ability to fight or hide, hence no shorts.
The same goes with tight fitting pants. I know, they look great on the ‘gram when we’re posting training videos and pics, but the truth is that if I need to negotiate obstacles, run, and jump, tight fitting clothes make that harder. They are more restrictive.
Clothing choices in uncertain times should be practical and durable. I generally wear outdoor-style clothing in earth tones. They don’t have to be overtly tactical either, Mr Gray Man in the 5.11 pants. I buy earth toned pants at the ranch supply store like Murdoch’s or Tractor Supply. Khaki colored pants are king because you can blend into almost any human environment in them. They don’t look out of place anywhere. As I write this, I’m wearing Noble Outfitters pants and an Ariat button up from Murdoch’s. In my environment, that’s as gray man as you’ll ever get.
While we’re on the topic, let’s talk gray man. As tempting as it is, if there is ongoing unrest in your area, don’t put on shirts with political slogans or causes. They will draw attention, mostly unwanted. That includes things like shirts from companies and brands that draw attention (gun companies, Tesla, etc). Wearing high end fashion does the same thing. I want to blend into the background.
In most of the US (and western society), a black or gray hoodie will make you blend into any crowd of people. I always carry a hat or, if I’m already wearing one, a change of hat in my backpack. It’s a quick and easy profile change. Similarly, a plain black backpack blends in everywhere. No, you don’t have to worry about MOLLE webbing on them because almost every backpack has them now. What I would carry with my black backpack though is a different color rain cover. Rain covers are like a poncho for your backpack – they slip over the top and will quickly change your entire appearance. I keep a Propper “packable jacket” (link above) in my backpack for this same reason. Mine is generally either green or black, depending on my clothing choice that day (I bring whichever one is vastly different from my shirt).
For serious potential risk days, I’d add some type of camouflage pull over in case I have to do some serious evasion. Arktis makes great pullover rain shirts that fold down very small.
With the current protest crowd favoring Palestinian causes as well as others, I keep a shemagh in my backpack. It looks close enough to a kaffiyeh that I can blend in, while my fellow teammates will be able to note that I am not the same as the others. Neck gaiters and facemasks can help as well, just don’t be the only person wearing one.
For your backpack, as I said black is the best color choice. Get one in a fairly big size, so that you can carry some profile changes, like the jackets and hats above, in them. Pick a bag with handles on the top and sides. That way, you can grab it as you bail out of your vehicle and run, if needed. On that note, position it within an arms reach. If you’re alone, put it on the passenger seat or floorboard. If there is one passenger, put your bag in the back seat on the passenger side floorboard with the top handle facing up. If the car is full, set it on the center of the backseat, between the passengers, with the straps down and top handle facing you. If you’re a passenger, it goes on the floor in front of you, beside the transmission hump, with your legs beside it – not straddling it. Practice this. It’s harder than you think to get your mind to automatically place the bag properly. This is covered in my Community Security Operations course and will be covered in TW 07 – Secure Vehicle Operations.
I put a full first aid kit in one of the outer pockets. When doing Executive Protection work, our entire team puts theirs in the same place – bottom outside pocket – so that we can each find each other’s aid kit. This is very important. In the other outside pockets I put things I need quickly like gloves, face mask, wool cap, fire starting materials, quick food/energy gels, a multi-tool or whatever other tools I might need, and a fixed blade knife.
I keep a wearable camera (link above) attached to the shoulder strap or sternum strap of my backpack. If I have to evade on foot and something happens, having video to show in my own defense can help. It can also help me gather information on the opposition for review and use later, but that’s a topic for another time. They are relatively cheap, especially when compared to your freedom, so buy one (or three).
Inside the main compartment, I keep my profile changes (hats, jackets, hoodie). I also carry emergency shelter in the form of a pomcho. I can wear it to keep the rain or chemical agents off or I can use it as a tent. I carry a couple of Dollar Tree door alarms, in case I need to hide somewhere behind a door. I keep a Premier Body Armor bulletproof laptop case inside my backpack to give me some degree of protection to the rear. Many companies sell bulletproof panels – I just use the laptop case because if I put a laptop in it, TSA doesn’t bat an eye and I’m protected at the airport.
If you carry a sidearm (and you should), having a couple of spare magazines in your backpack can help. Always carry magazines and not boxed ammo because when you need more ammunition, you won’t be able to call a time out.
On your person, a firearm and at least two magazines should be standard. No, I don’t care if Kash Patel and DHS Barbie said it’s not legal to carry a gun at protest, IT IS. It’s illegal to carry a gun while fighting with the police. I don’t recommend sprays because we, despite claims of weather machines, don’t control the weather. The wind might blow the spray right back at you. If you want a less lethal option, an expandable baton is a great choice (ASP link above), but understand your local laws first.
You should never be without at least a folding blade knife and should, where legal (because we ALWAYS follow the law), carry a fixed blade knife. I carry mine on my weak side, blade forward. Read TW-01 to learn why.
You should carry a lighter and a compass on your person. The compass can be as simple as a wristband compass for rough navigation in a hurry. Whistles are good signals and, as we are seeing in Minneapolis, might even help you blend in. I carry a small signal mirror because in addition to signalling, I can use it to look behind me casually by palming it and scratching my eyebrow.
Wearing body armor is a personal choice. I would never wear it openly unless we were in an active gunfight though. Own concealable soft body armor only for clandestine work or evasion. Jake Lang looks like he’s looking for a fight while wearing it and it ALWAYS draws him attention. He almost paid with his life for it, so learn from his stupid antics.
The biggest piece of personal preparedness though is mindset. Have your head in the game. We are not cosplaying here, people are actually being hurt and even killed. Now is not the time for memeing (yes, Chris M, that was INDEED directed at you). This is REAL. They will try to harm you. You have to be mentally prepared to defend yourself, up to and including taking a human life. Get that straight now. Life is not a video game and there is no respawn at your last saved point. Have the mindset that you will win any encounter and that you will successfully evade contact. Remember that evasion is not retreat or surrender – it’s choosing the time and place for a fight and not letting the other side dictate the tempo.
Learn escape and evasion skills – many professionals teach this (there is a list below). Learn how to get out of restraints like zip ties and handcuffs (yes, the same people teach this). Learn how to bypass locks and carry the tools for it, but understand that some jurisdictions (like Michigan) consider “possession of burglar tools” a felony regardless of intent. Learn how to conduct a surveillance detection route and other surviellance awareness techniques.
Classes I suggest:
- Brushbeater’s SIGINT Course
- Combat Studies Group: GroundRod 1-4 & Hard Target Traveler
- Rallypoint Six: Lock Bypass & Close Target Recce
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The Training Courses page has been updated. NC Scout (Brushbeater) will be here at Camp Ponderosa June 12-17.
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