As it is warming up and drying out, it really is time to get out there and start practicing, training, and moving in your gear. Yes, you.
We all love to buy and stockpile gear. We love showing each other all the cool gear we’ve accumulated and talk about the cool things we can do with it. But, let’s be honet, when was the last time you packed up a backpack for a real-world survival situation and then walked a long distance with it (5 plus miles)? When was the last time you tried to build something with just paracord and sticks? Set up snares? Probably longer ago than you’d like to admit.
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
2 Timothy 3:1
As that piece of Tactical Wisdom tells us, times ahead will be rough. We need to start preparing ourselves for it.
Start small, pack a Get Home Bag and walk a few miles. Don’t put it off if it’s raining or snowing – you might have to move in those conditions Build up the mileage. After a few trips with this load, load up a bigger pack and do the same thing. Don’t limit yourself to walking on paved roads – start hiking on trails and cross-country. We absolutely have to develop the ability to move over rough terrain carrying a load. That’s priority #1.
Start taking out all that cool-guy gear and learning how to actually use it. If you think you know how it works, get some reps in using the gear so that when you’re under stress during an emergency, you aren’t trying to figure it out for the first time.
Remember, being prepared means being trained. Practice, practice, practice leads to mastery.
A great way to build that stockpile is through my friends at BattlBox. Each month you get a box of gear at 30-40% off retail. It’s really introduced me to a lot of gear I’d never have gotten otherwise. Click the image above to sign up.
You can learn alot by going to events like the Self Reliance Festival in Tennessee, Prepper or homesteading conferences, or things like Mountain Readiness. Clicking that Mountain Readiness hyperlink will get 5% off tickets. There are lots of short classes during these events and lots of good people to network with. I’ll be hosting Mountain Readiness West right here at Camp Ponderosa.
Get out to a class with someone. If you need to solidify your radio skills, take a Brushbeater RTO or Advanced RTO class. Wnat to learn to clear your house after a burglary? Combat Studies Group CQB. They can also help you learn to secure your phone and computer through their Groundrod courses. Want to learn real self defense skills? My Combatives courses are LEGIT and you can retake them for free after the first time. The point is, get out and train.
I know a couple who train somewhere every month. Sure, they’re the exception, but it’s a good goal. You’ll see guys like NC Scout, Wes from Rallypoint 6, K, and I in each other’s classes because learning never stops.
As the weather gets better, stop making excuses and get out there.
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Tactical Wisdom 