Preparedness Notes for Thursday — April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025 is the 60th anniversary of the first attack on the Thanh Hoa Bridge. The Vietnamese called it the Ham Rong (Hàm Rồng) — or Dragon’s Jaw. It spanned the Ma River in North Vietnam, and had been built by the French during their colonial period in Indochina. The U.S. Air Force and Navy launched hundreds of sorties against it, losing at least 11 aircraft in the effort. After the 1968 to 1972 bombing pause on missions against North Vietnam, the U.S. finally took the bridge down with laser-guided munitions in 1972. The bridge was rebuilt and still stands today, although a larger, more modern bridge has been built a short distance away. The public domain photo above shows the bridge in 1972, as photographed by Bud Taylor of U.S. Navy squadron VF-161.

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Some sad news: I just heard that Bret Roush, Co-Editor and Videographer of Redoubt News has passed away. He had been awaiting a lung transplant. Our condolences to his wife and Co-Editor Shari Dovale, and all of their family.

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And I also heard that actor Val Kilmer passed away. You may remember him from Heat, Willow, The Ghost And The Darkness, Top Secret, Tombstone, and Top Gun. He will be missed.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 118 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
  4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. 3Vgear.com is providing an ultimate bug-out bag bundle that includes their 3-day Paratus Bag, a Posse EDC Sling Pack, and a Velox II Tactical Backpack. This prize package has a $289 retail value.
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 118 ends on May 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic.

 

 

Retreat Security: What We Can Learn from Israel – Part 1, by Don Shift

Introduction

It’s every prepper’s fantasy: living in (mostly) a self-sufficient secure compound surrounded by liked-minded individuals living off the land just out of reach of the ravaging hordes. For novelists and daydreamers, living on the frontier in a simpler way is an appealing escape from the often-disheartening humdrum of ordinary life. Rather than worry about politics and taxes, you worry about raiders and if this summer’s crop will come in. But in the pages of fiction or the corners of our imagination, the good guy always prevails. Reality is much more stark.

Those who lived on Israeli kibbutzim—collective compound-style communities— probably felt quite secure until October 7, 2023. The Hamas attacks upon Israel should be enough to disabuse the prepared citizen from the romance of the SHTF compound fantasy. Those who are concerned about the United States degenerating into a situation where something similar is possible need to confront the awful reality of enemy raids on compounds as seen by the Israelis.

There are some differences, of course, to the collapse that preppers imagine. Israel is, and was, a functional country with operating police and military; however, they failed to prevent the incursion and were not able to come to the immediate aid of the kibbutz residents. Yet in other respects the Hamas militants shared many characteristics of post-apocalyptic raiders: they were well armed, coordinated, semi-disciplined, and after striking in force, took control of the compounds and murdered, kidnapped, or abused the residents. The only distinction between Israel and the fantastic is Hamas didn’t intend to capture and hold the compounds for themselves, as an SHTF villain might.Continue reading“Retreat Security: What We Can Learn from Israel – Part 1, by Don Shift”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, news of a bid solar flare, and we look at some global conflicts.

Sun Unleashes Powerful Earth-Facing M5.6 Solar Flare

Reader Mike in Alaska sent this news: Sun unleashes powerful M5.6 solar flare and Earth is in the firing line — are auroras incoming?

Germany Deploys Troops to Lithuania

Germany launches first permanent foreign deployment since WWII – and it’s on Putin’s doorstep.

Open Conflict With Iran is Now Likely

Some quite load and clear war drums…

SECDEF: One Standard for Men, Women With a Combat MOS

T.T. sent this: SECDEF Orders One Standard for Men, Women in Combat Jobs. The article’s opening lines:

“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the military services to develop ‘sex-neutral’ physical standards for combat-arms jobs.

‘As the nature of warfare evolves and the demands on our service members grow more complex, it is imperative that we assess and refine the physical fitness standards that enable our readiness and lethality,’ he wrote in a March 30 memo.

He ordered the service secretaries to develop comprehensive plans to distinguish combat-arms occupations from noncombat-arms jobs.

‘This effort will ensure that our standards are clear, mission-focused, and reflective of the unique physical demands placed on our Service members in various roles,’ Hegseth wrote.

The review follows past concerns from Hegseth that military readiness has diminished since 2016, when combat roles were first opened to women.”

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“I was always afraid of dying. Always. It was my fear that made me learn everything I could about my airplane and my emergency equipment, and kept me flying respectful of my machine and always alert in the cockpit.” – General Chuck Yeager

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — April 2, 2025

On April 2, 1513, explorer Juan Ponce de León claimed Florida for Spain as the first known European to reach Florida.

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Today is the birthday of Sergei Ivanovich Mosin. (April 2, 1849 – February 8, 1902.) He was a Russian military officer, engineer, and a co-designer of the Mosin–Nagant rifle.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present the first entry for Round 118 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
  4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. 3Vgear.com is providing an ultimate bug-out bag bundle that includes their 3-day Paratus Bag, a Posse EDC Sling Pack, and a Velox II Tactical Backpack. This prize package has a $289 retail value.
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 118 ends on May 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic.

 

If I Could Do It Over, by 3AD Scout

My son played lots of sports growing up and had/has a very competitive nature. Very seldom did his teams lose. When his teams lost, he was a very poor sport about it. I used to tell him winning is easy, but you learn more from losing. That is, we learn what we need to do better or differently, thus making us stronger. The same can be said about preparedness, we learn more from our failures than our successes. Here are some of my prepper follies and what I wish I would have done differently.

First and foremost, I would not have waited to find, purchase and move permanently to a Bug Out Location (BOL). Finding a “perfect” piece of property is unlikely, so time and resources to get your BOL to where you want it, will take time and money. Since we did not want the debt, we have had to wait to complete projects as resources allow.Continue reading“If I Could Do It Over, by 3AD Scout”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

Our weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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The Economist reports: The prospect of war has turned Europe into a continent of preppers.

o  o  o

From Deutsche Welle (DW): EU crisis preparedness: Bulking up states’ disaster response.

o  o  o

Meet Britain’s Doomsday preppers stockpiling for World War Three.

o  o  o

Here is a partly tongue-in-cheek account recently published by the statist and snobbish New York Times: My 10-Day Crash Course on Surviving the Apocalypse.

o  o  o

Myanmar earthquake death toll climbs to over 2,700, local media reports.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag … We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language … and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.” – Theodore Roosevelt, January 3, 1919. (Written just three days before his death.)

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — April 1, 2025

On April 1, 1905, “SOS” (· · · – – – · · ·) was first adopted as a Morse Code distress signal by the German government.

April 1st is both April Fool’s Day and (unofficially) Molly Ivins Day. The latter refers to this key verse: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1 KJV)

April 1st, 1886 was the birthday of Arthur W. Pink, who died July 15, 1952. He was an English Christian evangelist and excellent Reformed Biblical scholar. It was his meticulously referenced arguments in his book, The Sovereignty of God, that first convinced me of the truth of the doctrine of Election.

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I heard from my #! Son of SurvivalRealty.com that he is briefly discounting all of his educational resources (20% off), in a special Spring Sale.  This sale includes:
  • Survival Retreats & Relocation
  • Red State Relocation Guide
  • The Prepared Property Buyer

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Today’s guest article was too short to qualify as a writing contest entry.

Writing Contest Prize Winners Announced for Round 117

We’ve announced the winners of Round 117 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

The top three prize winners will each receive some great prize packages. The winners for Round 117 are…

First Prize Winner:

First Prize goes to M.B., for:  3D-Printed Gun Components, for a six-part article posted March 11-16, 2025.  See:  Part 1, Part 2,  Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, and Part 6.) He will receive as prizes:

    1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
    2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
    3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
    4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
    5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.
Second Prize Winner:

Second Prize goes to J.M. for his three-part article titled A Disaster Laptop Computer, which was posted  March 26-28, 2025. See: Part 1, Part 2, & Part 3. He will receive:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
  4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!
Third Prize Winner:

Third Prize goes to “Lodge Pole” for his four-part article titled: Fuels for Cooking, Warmth, and Comfort, posted February 11-14. See: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.) He will receive:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. 3Vgear.com is providing an ultimate bug-out bag bundle that includes their 3-day Paratus Bag, a Posse EDC Sling Pack, and a Velox II Tactical Backpack. This prize package has a $289 retail value.
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

The writers of the Round 117 Honorable Mention articles will each receive a transferable $100 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns in most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Honorable Mention Prizes

There were six Honorable Mention prize-winning articles in Round 117. They are:

Get Busy Writing!

Round 118 begins today and runs for two months, so please get busy writing and e-mail us your entry soon. More than $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging. Thanks, – JWR

Helping Liberal and Elderly Family Members, by M.J.

As has been written many times here at SurvivalBlog, we preppers can’t do it alone. We need people we can work with, whether it be neighbors, friends, or family. Yet it’s frustrating to see one’s family and friends not taking prepping seriously. Their lack of preparation would make them an extra burden on us during a real emergency.

If there’s one thing that my IT career has taught me, it’s that our computerized worldwide system of just-in-time delivery of goods, as well as utilities such as power, telecommunications, and water are extremely fragile. Even authorized updates to software apps can wreak havoc; a hacker bent on causing trouble could do even more damage. I keep canned food and water at my home, as well as extra toilet paper and other supplies. For me, I think it’s enough for about two months. (The water is for drinking only; not enough for washing or cooking.) Continue reading“Helping Liberal and Elderly Family Members, by M.J.”

March, 2025 in Precious Metals, by Everett Millman

Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover gold’s performance and silver’s performance and examine the factors that affected the metal prices.

WHAT DID GOLD AND SILVER DO IN MARCH?

Silver enjoyed a great performance in March. Yet it was easy to miss when gold kept setting new record highs every time I looked up.

The metals got off to a solid start to the month, posting gains on each of the first three days of trading. Silver rallied 70 cents higher on Wednesday, March 5th to $32.63 per troy ounce—already more than $1.50 higher compared to where it ended February. Meanwhile, gold held above $2,900/oz until back-to-back losses on Friday, March 7th and Monday, March 10th drove the yellow metal back to $2,888/oz. The silver price likewise drifted back lower to $32.07/oz.Continue reading“March, 2025 in Precious Metals, by Everett Millman”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, news about Idaho’s new immigration enforcement law.

Idaho

U.S. district judge temporarily blocks Idaho immigration enforcement law hours after it’s signed. The aricle begins:

“Hours after Governor Brad Little signed into law a controversial immigration enforcement bill, a United States district judge granted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) blocking the enforcement of the law.

Judge Amanda K. Brailsford of the United States District Court for the District of Idaho granted the TRO in response to a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Idaho over House Bill 83.

House Bill 83 requires law enforcement to focus on illegal immigrants who are detained, investigated, or suspected of criminal activity, through which officers would record the documentation status of individuals arrested throughout their normal police work.”

o  o  o

Idaho Fish and Game relocates moose on the loose in Chubbuck.

o  o  o

Kohberger’s essay about crime scenes could be used against him in U of Idaho student murder trial.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Perhaps the fact that we have seen millions voting themselves into complete dependence on a tyrant has made our generation understand that to choose one’s government is not necessarily to secure freedom.” –  Friedrich August von Hayek

Preparedness Notes for Monday — March 31, 2025

Lyman Cornelius “L.C.” Smith was born March 3, 1850. Lyman Smith was the namesake of the famous L.C. Smith Shotgun. In 1877, L.C. and his older brother Leroy joined forces with an established firearms designer, William H. Baker, to form W.H. Baker & Co., and for the next three years, the firm produced Baker designed shotguns. However, in 1880, Leroy Smith and W.H. Baker left the company, and founded Ithaca Gun Company. The defection of Leroy Smith and Baker from the company did not hamper business, as they were replaced by Smith’s younger brother, Wilbert, and a new designer Alexander T. Brown. The company was renamed the L.C. Smith Shotgun Company of Syracuse and went on to produce several popular breech-loading shotguns. In 1886, the company produced its first hammerless shotgun. This proved to be their most successful design. Despite the success of the company, Smith decided to sell the manufacturing rights for the entire line of L.C. Smith shotguns to Hunter Arms Company in 1889. Hunter Arms would produce the line until 1945, when they sold it to Marlin Firearms Company. Marlin halted production of L.C. Smith shotguns in 1950. Smith later went on to found the Smith-Premier Typewriter Company, which would later become Smith-Corona Typewriter Company. Smith Corona or the SCM Corporation is a US typewriter and calculator company. Lyman Cornelius Smith passed away on November 5, 1910.

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March 31 is the birthday of the late economist Dr. Walter E. Williams, PhD., who was born in 1936. He passed away in 2020. His book American Contempt for Liberty is highly recommended.

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A fan of SurvivalBlog is one of the organizers of a real estate raffle for a 32-acre parcel of waterfront land in northwest Montana that looks quite retreat-worthy.  I generally shy away from raffles and any sort of games of chance.  But because this raffle will benefit a good cause (an animal shelter in that area), and because the property would be quite suitable for building a retreat, I’ve decided to give this some publicity in SurvivalBlog. The raffle ends on July 31, 2025. For details, see: DreamPropertyRaffle.org.

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The last day! Our big one-week sale at Elk Creek Company ends at midnight, Pacific Time, tonight. We’ve put all of our pre-1899 Mauser and Carcano sporters as well as all of our Pietta percussion revolvers on sale. Also, take note that I’ve boosted our pre-1965 silver divisor to a very generous 25.1 times face value, if you’d like to pay in pre-1965 junk silver.  Get your order in, today!

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Today’s feature piece is a review written by SurvivalBlog staffer Tom Christianson.