Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 42 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any …




Training Combatives: The How, What and Why of Acquiring Hand-to-Hand Skills

Disclaimer: the opinion presented below is garnered from my personal experience. I make no claims of omnipotence or omniscience. As with all things, analyze this information and use your judgment to make an informed decision on how to integrate the following material into your personal preparations. When it comes down to it, learning how to avoid a fight and effectively negotiate a resolution is as (or more) important than combatives training. However, I will leave the topic of practical negotiation to others who can espouse the finer points better than I. I was motivated to write this article after gritting …




Letter Re: The Barter Store — Update #2

JWR: To make the most sense of this note, please refer to the SurvivalBlog archives for the December 22, 2011 original post with an update March 29, 2012.   The range of feedback to the post and update ranged from supportive to beyond hostile–which was more or less what I expected. Those critical to the “Barter Store” concept mostly missed the premises–that at least in some smaller, conservative towns/cities, small-scale commerce will help preserve order and civilization; security is handled and will not be a driving issue; that “preppers” have stocked up on and will be willing to sell/trade/barter some …




Economics and Investing:

G.G. sent: Why is Putin Putting Away So Much Gold? Items from The Economatrix: 18 Indications That Europe Has Become A Black Hole Which Is Going To Suck The Life Out Of The Global Economy Lost Middle-Class Jobs Being Replaced With Burger Flipping, Retail Gigs Audit of NY Fed Reveals Technocrat’s Creation And Cover-up of Global Financial Crash Gold’s Coming Rise




Odds ‘n Sods:

Some good advice on “flyaway bag” packing from Scott Stewart of STRATFOR: Evacuations and Contingency Planning. (Thanks to Joseph L. for the link.)    o o o M.K.P. suggested: DIY Solar panels for RV or off grid    o o o A few tactical tidbits can be found here: See What A Real Marines Mission In Afghanistan Looks Like    o o o How “Crazy Survivalists” Make The World A Better Place