Category Archives: Reviews

Review: Brushbeater Scout & Recce Courses

I recently attended the Scout and Recce courses at Brushbeater. While NC Scout is a friend, he didn’t ask me to write this, and I have received nothing for it. This is an unbiased review. The TLDR of it this: TAKE THE COURSES. I know you’re afraid of the feds. Go to the class anywayContinue reading “Review: Brushbeater Scout & Recce Courses”

Brushbeater RTO Course Review

I’ve gotten to know NC Scout over the last few months by doing podcasts with him roughly once a week. I advertise with him, and we always have a great conversation on his podcast. When I checked out his training schedule (www.brushbeater.org) and saw that he was running a series of radio-related courses here inContinue reading “Brushbeater RTO Course Review”

Gear Review – Toor Knives

I own a lot of knives. I mean, A LOT of knives. As a martial artist, I’m interested in knives. As a United States Marine (Once a Marine…you know, the thing), I’m VERY interested in knife combat. In the fantastic “Gray Man” book series, Courtland Gentry frequently remarks “If I have a knife, I canContinue reading “Gear Review – Toor Knives”

Gear Testing in the Field

Gathering a bunch of gear you’ve never used is a bad idea. Every single item in your preparedness gear stash needs to be something that you know how to use, have used, and can use without thinking or refresher courses. This goes for tents and radios, just as much as it does for simple thingsContinue reading “Gear Testing in the Field”

Review – Civil Defense Manual Volume 2

A while back, I reviewed Volume 1 of Jack Lawson’s Civil Defense Manual. I finally had time over the Christmas Holiday to finish reading Volume 2 and take some serious notes. Bottom Line: You need both Volumes 1 and 2 of the Civil Defense Manual in your library. The good news is that they comeContinue reading “Review – Civil Defense Manual Volume 2”

Learning from Mongol Moon

When I first joined Twitter, some guy named Mark Sibley was promoting his novel, Mongol Moon. I had no idea who he was, but the book summary seemed interesting, so I bought it. I was so moved by the scenario the book presents that I began engaging with Mark, and now I consider him aContinue reading “Learning from Mongol Moon”

Civil Defense Manual – Vol 1

It’s been said that the measure of a man’s intelligence is often how much he agrees with you. I felt that way as I read Volume 1 of Jack Lawson’s Civil Defense Manual. I’ll put link down below. Since he agrees almost completely with me, the man is clearly a GENIUS. You’d think as anContinue reading “Civil Defense Manual – Vol 1”

Book Review: The 12 Gauge Shotgun – A Beginners Manual for Home Protection

When I received an e-mail from Charles Marais in South Africa, asking me to take a look at his book on using the shotgun for home defense, I was very excited.  The perspective offered is vital, due to the political climate there, which is like a glimpse into our own future. For context, the environmentContinue reading “Book Review: The 12 Gauge Shotgun – A Beginners Manual for Home Protection”

Book Review – Prairie Fire

Prairie Fire is a training and readiness manual focusing on people in rural areas.  It’s written by USMC and US Army Special Forces Veteran Clay Martin.  This is a companion book to his earlier “Concrete Jungle”, which focused on Urban Preparedness. Let me start off, once again, by saying that I bought these books myself,Continue reading “Book Review – Prairie Fire”

Book Review – Concrete Jungle

Concrete Jungle – A Green Beret’s Guide to Urban Survival is written by former Green Beret Clay Martin.  I usually give things written by Green Berets the proper respect by tossing them on the bookcase without ever reading them, but since Clay was a Marine Scout Sniper before he lost his mind, I decided toContinue reading “Book Review – Concrete Jungle”

Survival Tool Reviews

I want to start by saying that I haven’t gotten paid for these reviews, and I bought these items myself.  Having said that, these three are fantastic tools that each person should have. I keep all three in my vehicle emergency kit at all times. The first one I bought was the emergency shovel.  IContinue reading “Survival Tool Reviews”

Review – Highland Tactical Med Kit

When you talk to people about preparedness and readiness, they always want to discuss guns and ammunition, and maybe food.  The preparedness item you will use the most, almost daily, is a first aid kit and you will use it long before any major disaster hits.  As such, it’s often overlooked. A while back, inContinue reading “Review – Highland Tactical Med Kit”

Book Review – Sheep No More

I recently read the book “Sheep No More” by Jonathan T. Gilliam.  The book is outstanding and I highly recommend it. Gilliam (www.jonathanTgilliam.com) is a former US Navy SEAL and a former FBI Special Agent.  He applies his experience to helping the average citizen understand how to analyze the critical times and locations in theirContinue reading “Book Review – Sheep No More”

BattleBoard Scout

As you know, if you’ve read any of my other posts, I’m a firm believer in keeping paper maps handy for emergencies, and for tactical operations, the ability to “battle-track” on a paper map overlay is crucial. Just before Christmas, I became aware of the BattleBoard Scout, available at BattleBoard.us. It’s a small day-planner sizedContinue reading “BattleBoard Scout”