On December 17, NW Montana had a wind event. Kalispell had winds gusting to 90 mph, but here down the Swan, Mission, and Bitteroot Valleys, the wind had nowhere to go and gusted up to 105 mph in a straight line. This toppled trees like dominoes and led to massive damage to the electrical infrastructureContinue reading “Lessons Learned – Montana Wind Event”
Category Archives: Preparedness
The Gray Man vs The Invisible Man
Let’s be honest. Most guys who say they “live a gray man lifestyle” look just like the guy in the photo. Heck, that’s honestly how I dress daily, but I’m not trying to be a Gray Man. They’re wearing a ball cap (to hide my hair color,bro), wrap around operator shades by Wiley X orContinue reading “The Gray Man vs The Invisible Man”
Readiness Right Now
We went and saw Homestead last weekend and that got me to thinking. How ready am I right now? Carried a bit further, if I had lived in North Carolina or Tennessee when the storm hit, how would I be faring right now, several months in, with the just what I had on hand? InContinue reading “Readiness Right Now”
Prepping with the Boy Scouts
This weekend, the local Boy Scout Troop is camping here at Camp Ponderosa and it got me thinking about their motto, Be Prepared. Out here in Rural America, the Boy Scouts are as they once were, an organization that takes boys out to learn outdoor skills and serve their community. They’ll be learning some winterContinue reading “Prepping with the Boy Scouts”
Community Security
You all know that I frequently point to South Africa as an example of why we need to be prepared. In July of 2021, the KwaZulu Natal (KZN) riots occurred and what stopped them wasn’t law enforcement action by the government, but dedicated community security operations by local residents. If you follow me on Twitter,Continue reading “Community Security”
Gear Shakedown – Field Time
One of the biggest challenges we face in preparedness is in actually getting in some time using our gear. I spent last week at the Von Steuben Training & Consulting Jager Course. You can find the course review on the Tactical Wisdom Locals Page. This article is more about the use and adjustment of myContinue reading “Gear Shakedown – Field Time”
Getting Out There
How many times have you heard someone say, “I’d like to meet like-minded people, but I’m worried that everyone is a Fed”? I hear it every week, and to be fair, I begin every class I teach with “For the Fed who is inevitably among us reporting on this class…..”. We’re all a little gun-shyContinue reading “Getting Out There”
Establishing Daily Routines
With the chaotic pace of world events and the rampant speed of the collapse we seem to be hurtling towards, it’s easy to lose focus and miss things. As the next big headline drops, we can be so surprised by it that we forget to take basic precautions or to continue to prepare. What weContinue reading “Establishing Daily Routines”
What We Can Learn: Kazakhstan
Before you get ready to argue with me, this isn’t about politics and what caused the issue. Sorry, but as I always say, THAT DOESN’T MATTER. As people into preparedness, we have to decide what it can teach, what it shows us, and how we can prepare. Just like the events in KwaZulu Natal lastContinue reading “What We Can Learn: Kazakhstan”
Indicators: New Military Training
We can learn a lot by taking a look at a couple of the emergency training changes that the US Military in general are making, and one that the US Marine Corps specifically has made in preparation for the next conflict, which seems to be rushing closer every single day. The next conflict appears toContinue reading “Indicators: New Military Training”
The Right Way to Prep
Frequently, I harp on two points. The first is to not prepare for a specific event, but to prepare for the second and third order effects of ANY event. The second point I harp on is to have more than method of escape planned. Friday night, when I went to bed, there was a moderateContinue reading “The Right Way to Prep”
Communications Protocols
Nearly everyone I talk to in preparedness says that they have communications gear, and a solid plan for their group to communicate in the event of a disaster, whether natural or manmade. That sounds good, but then when I ask to see their radio, they are stumped. “What do you mean?”. I reply “Where isContinue reading “Communications Protocols”
What’s Really Happening?
If you’ve read this blog long enough, you will know that I’m a big proponent of reading indicators. For those into preparedness, you need to be paying attention, regardless of which side of the political aisle you are on. The rhetoric and actions being taken are increasing the risk of domestic conflict within the UnitedContinue reading “What’s Really Happening?”
Chaos Actual
I want to relay to you all my observations on the last few days in Michigan. Bear with me, and at the end I’m going to discuss concrete actions that you can take as the chaos escalates. On Thursday, I was with some some people down at TCF Center (Cobo Hall for the Detroit old-timers)Continue reading “Chaos Actual”
The Danger of a Color Revolution
Let’s talk about Color Revolutions. A Color Revolution is the name given to various movements throughout Europe and the Middle East. A Color Revolution most often involves a disputed election, followed by mass street protests, which ended in the government being overthrown or resigning. What is common among them is serious provocation of government forcesContinue reading “The Danger of a Color Revolution”
Communications Preparedness
Recently, there was a social media discussion about radios and being prepared. I frequently talk about this topic, and while most people talk about what gear your need, you all know I’m more about the practical skills aspect. Let me say it again: SKILLS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN GEAR. Just as it does me noContinue reading “Communications Preparedness”
The Speed of Life
Yesterday afternoon, around 5 PM, people in Kenosha were doing what everyone does on a Sunday afternoon. Visiting family, cooking on the grill, maybe visiting with friends. By 6 hours later, the city was a dystopian nightmare, with gangs of roving looters and people committing random acts of violence. I listened as the police reportedContinue reading “The Speed of Life”
Organizing a Tribe
“So you also must be ready, Because He will come at an hour When you do not expect Him” Matthew 24:44 I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…The Book of Eli, while one of my favorites, was a MOVIE. In what is to come, you will not be able to function as aContinue reading “Organizing a Tribe”
Is the NFAC a Danger?
The Not F***ing Around Coalition is self-described as a black nationalist militia, affiliated with the Nation of Islam and the Black Hebrew Isrealites. It is led by the enigmatic “Grandmaster Jay”, a self-proclaimed rapper, hip-hop producer, DJ, and (apparently) a 2016 Presidential Candidate. They first appeared on July 4th, marching in a massive armed formationContinue reading “Is the NFAC a Danger?”
Lessons Learned: Power Outage
I’m currently about 36 hours into a power outage in Metro Detroit, or as I like to call it, the “Boogaloo Dry Run”. I’ve learned a few things about my own preparedness, and an awful lot about the preparedness of others. I have a thing about lights. I buy flashlights like crazy (mostly from http://www.olight.com). Continue reading “Lessons Learned: Power Outage”
Tactical Wisdom 