Tag Archives: Prepping

The Francis Scott Key Bridge was struck by the MV Dali (Singapore-Flagged) at 0130 Eastern on 3/26/2024. Casualty numbers are not in yet, and it is certainly a tragedy. We can take away a few lessons from it right now. Immediately after, almost everyone on the internet became an expert on ship handling, port operations,Continue reading “Preparedness Lessons from Baltimore”

This past weekend, I spent some time with a group of like-minded folks working on secure vehicle movement. Having been there and done that on a few occasions, I can report that the guy who led the class really knew his stuff. We capped the day with a practical exercise by actually doing a secureContinue reading “Road Movement Planning”

“How do I find like-minded people to build a community with?” is probably one of the biggest questions I get, but I’m going to have preface this with some tough love. I’m going to tell you how, but you all need to “man-up” (or woman-up or Zhe-up) in this area. What I mean is, when I tellContinue reading “Finding Community”

Probably the second biggest pushback I get is: Look, I’m not into radio, so why do I need a comms plan? Well, imagine you didn’t have an advanced microcomputer that you carried with you everywhere for instant communications and information? What if you walked down to the river for water, leaving your family at home, and theyContinue reading “Why Do I Need A Comms Plan?”

It’s no secret that I recommend having a good tent or a tarp along with outdoor sleeping gear. These aren’t meant to be where you live out your days in a without rule of law situation. In fact, in all of my books, I mention that quality of life matters, even in a disastrous situation. While it’sContinue reading “You Don’t Have To Live Like a Refugee”

A man was killed in a knife attack in Paris yesterday and two others wounded. Assaults and attacks related to the Gaza conflicts are happening all over the world and the victims rarely have anything to do with either side. Extremists on both sides are using it as an excuse to commit violence. Meanwhile, crimeContinue reading “EDC Means “Every Day””

I can’t think of a better topic on Thanksgiving week than building your tribe. Think of the example of the first Thanksgiving – a group of people who fled the dystopian urban centers of Europe to evade over-reaching federal governments intent upon stamping out their religious freedom. Sound familiar? These people made the ultimate homesteadingContinue reading “Building a Tribe”

Optus Telecom, the second largest telecommunications company in Australia that serves 40% of the population, suffered a complete phone and internet outage for most of the day today. Looking at the above outage map, you might think, “that doesn’t look so bad”, but those red dots represent where most Australians live. The outage had massiveContinue reading “Telecom Crash In Australia”

Last week, I re-read Surviving Home, Book 2 of Angry American’s Survivalist series. It reminded me of the image above and a lot of the commentary we hear after disasters in America. The first complaint we hear, even from our so-called “limited government” allies, is “Why isn’t the government here? Why didn’t they warn us?Continue reading “Responsibility”

I love getting out and meeting more people in our community. I enjoy spending time learning and training with others. It’s important that we all get out and do this to build a community wherever you plan on weathering a WROL situation. It’s vital whether you plan to bug out or bug in. We’ve talkedContinue reading “Building Community”

One of the biggest debates in preparedness is the bug out or bug in question. The question can’t be answered in a definite way because every situation is different, and everyone’s personal environment is specific to them. Where I have difficulty though are the absolutists on either end. First, not every situation requires a fullContinue reading “Should I Stay or Should I go?”

The Russo-Ukrainian War (Slavic Civil War) has brought to the forefront a vital issue. If everyone is driving the same vehicles, using the same weapon platforms, and wearing the same uniforms, how do you identify your own side? As a side note, countless militias are fighting on both sides of that conflict, too, with someContinue reading “Recognizing Your Team”

Time to update your gear and plans.

I will admit, I was unduly harsh in the original article. While it was factually accurate, I wasn’t fair to the hams in the area…gents, I am sorry for that. Your criticism there is fair and I accept it. Let me reword, I have regularly encouraged new people to get on GMRS to learn. IContinue reading “Sad Hams are Killing GMRS”

Banks are on dangerous ground, the Russo-Ukrainian War risks escalation, and China is expanding it’s challenges. What more could go wrong? Well, the Manhattan DA claims he’s about to arrest Donald Trump. Rather than calling for calm, Donald Trump, as usual, decided to play right into their hands and call for protests to “take backContinue reading “Prudence in Uncertain Times”

After the East Palestine train incident and the string of balloon shoot-downs, including one over Michigan, I was already working on upping my actual “walk out the door” preparedness. Then, this morning, I woke to text messages from the local police. They were advising residents that a Norfolk Southern train had derailed ON THE STREETContinue reading “Wake Up Call”

I’m convinced that the vast majority of Americans (and people in the West in general) are OK with literally anything, as long Netflix still works, and Amazon still delivers. This whole spy balloon saga just reinforced it. Before I delve into normalcy bias and ways to avoid it, let me give you two pieces ofContinue reading “Normalcy Bias is Bad, OK?”

With us all already on edge from the Russo-Ukrainian War, an impending Chinese blockade on Taiwan, and potential riots over Memphis, the weekend was bad enough. Then, out of nowhere, an “unknown party” launched a series of drone strikes across central and northern Iran with absolutely no warning. The attacks went on all night and,Continue reading “Uncertain Times”

As the SHOT Show winds down, I’m reflecting on our heritage and what the Founding Fathers would think of what we’ve become. I’m certain that they are disappointed and incredulous. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. Matthew 7:15 The worst part is that manyContinue reading “Our Heritage”

Every week, we get closer and closer to a social credit system. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) scores, once called a right-wing conspiracy theory, are now an actual thing used to determine if businesses get loans. How long before it gets down to private citizens? The US was founded on the principle that individual freedom,Continue reading “The Surveillance State”

As Peru devolves into civil war, tourists, including Americans, Canadians, and Europeans, found themselves stranded in a remote region that was experiencing a full Without Rule of Law situation. There was no law enforcement, and armed groups & protestors were on the roads. Some of these tourists were forced out of vehicles and had toContinue reading “Stranded in Peru – Lessons Learned”

A few days ago, I shared the video of NYFD Lt. Alison Russo-Elling being murdered on the street. I lamented that no one stopped to help her or engage her attacker. She was walking to lunch when a man stabbed her 19 times, killing her. Multiple people drove by or walked by, without even slowingContinue reading “Principles Over Fear”

Normalcy Bias is a killer. No matter how bad things get, most people think that “it” can never happen here. The entire world is devolving into civil war or open conflict, yet folks in the West, and the US in particular, just believe that those are problems for “over there where those people live”. Now,Continue reading “It’s Not Hyperbole”

Consider our world for a moment, as I did on Wednesday morning. Russia shows no signs of pulling out of Ukraine and is threatening the UK. China is becoming more and more bellicose in relation to Taiwan and the US. North Korea is off the chain (again). Iran is threatening both Saudi Arabia and AzerbaijanContinue reading “How Ready Are You – Minute Men”

On Sunday night, the Brazilian run-off election got underway. Bolsonaro supporters were thrilled because Bolsonaro maintained a commanding lead all day. While it wasn’t a rout, he had it in the bag. Something happened in those last few hours though. Lula made a surprising comeback in just one region. Although Bolsonaro won 6 of theContinue reading “Brazil – Lessons and Observations”

When you go to US Marine Corps Boot Camp, after the first few weeks of Phase 1, if you survive, you get sent to Recruit Field Training Duty for Phase 2, or as I call it, THE FUN STUFF. At RFTD, you learn individual movement techniques, basic infantry tactics, and marksmanship. During the 2 weeksContinue reading “Snapping In”

I’m a big fan of the Vikings TV Series. Yes, I know it’s not 100% historically accurate, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some Tactical Wisdom in it. In fact, the plot line from Season 1 is very instructive for the moment we find ourselves in and can guide you in getting ready. Ragnar hadContinue reading “Testing Yourself”

Friend, I know it seems like the economy is crashing all over the world. I know your grocery bill that was $150 is now $245. I know gas is over double what it was before the election. I know that every petty dictator in the world is pushing their boundaries. More importantly, I know thatContinue reading “It Will Just Be OK….”