Month: December 2012

Notes from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 44 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 …


Is the Average US Soldier Prepared for TEOTWAWKI? by S.A.

They are not personally prepared at all. The average soldier is no more prepared than the average civilian. If this is a concern (you live by a military installation), a curiosity (you have a relative that serves), or if you just want a glimpse of military life, let me tell you why the average soldier is not personally prepared.  I must first establish my credibility.    I have a BA degree from a major university, and various civilian job experiences under my belt, mostly in food service and then social services.  I am an older soldier, low ranking on the …


Letter Re: PTR91 Rifle Reflections

Mr Rawles- Thought I would share with your readers my personal experience with the PTR-91 (KF) on the chance it may help those who are considering this weapon as their .308 solution. 1) I went with a PTR-91 because it was one of the more reasonably priced battle rifles available in the powerful .308 caliber I had heard so many good things about. 2) I bought mine through an online broker one year ago for $950 + $25 transfer fee, which was a great price back then (I see they are going for up to $1,800 now online, thanks to …


Economics and Investing:

Buried in Bloomberg: “Why A Single Leveraged Speculator Can Trigger An Entire Clearinghouse System Default” (Thanks to G.G. for the link.) This Chilling Economic Report Is Getting Passed Around By CEOs Items from The Economatrix: Jobless Claims Fell By 12,000 Last Week Durable Goods Orders Jump In November 10 Fascinating Economic Collapses


Odds ‘n Sods:

Karl K. wrote to note that during recuperation from injury on active duty, a senior Army NCO is making some informative videos as “Maine Prepper”.    o o o Mike Williamson wrote to mention: “If anyone is looking for an AR-15, Gunbroke.comr has some AR pistols listed.  Most people don’t realize they exist, and that they can be legally converted to rifles, and back.  They’re much more reasonably priced than the rifles at the moment, provided people don’t get into bidding wars.”    o o o F.G. sent: How to Can Roast Beast    o o o Reader S.O.B. sent: …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13 (KJV)


Notes from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 44 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 …


Banning Our Birthright: Feinstein’s New, Ugly Legislation

Here are some details on the proposed gun and magazine ban, directly Madame Feinstein’s web site. Also see this PDF. In summary, the law includes some handguns, it requires nationwide registration, background checks and fingerprinting, even for current owners, just one evil feature-such as a pistol grip–can get a semi-auto banned, and it mentions: “Grandfathering weapons legally possessed on the date of enactment.” Does this mean that your heirs must turn in your guns for destruction? Let’s wait to see the wording of the bill that is introduced. But regardless, this is definitely bad legislation, so start contacting your legislators! …


Survival Seeds-Plan Your Survival Garden Now, by Jennifer A.

Let’s say that the SHTF scenario you prepared for has happened.  You are in your bug-out location or somewhere with a bit of land and you envision a return to a normal society will take a few months or years.  You know you need to grow food and fast to prevent depletion of your stores and for a well-rounded diet. You’ve got your survival seed bank, but now what? Hopefully in your survival seed bank you’ve given some thought to the order and priority in which you will plant, tend, grow and harvest those fruits and vegetables. My first recommendation …


Letter Re: Ballistic Clipboards

Hello Mr. Rawles, I don’t like to bother you, but I would like it if you could let your readers know that if they are wanting to do something to help protect kids/ teachers in schools that don’t allow weapons, a gift of a ballistic clip board (from one of SurvivalBlog’s advertisers) would be a small step. I have a female teacher friend that accepted the gift to her. I know she’s not pro gun, but also know she’s pro kid, so I figure this is a fairly inexpensive way to allow some sort of capability of protection in a …


Two Letters Re: Observations On Bugging Out By Foot

JWR: “Observations On Bugging Out By Foot” was a great article by J. Smith.  Like him, we use the Military Modular Seep System.   It can be purchased new on eBay for $120 to $150.  We keep them in our bug out bags here in cold country.   Another item we have tested and found to be very useful is the Solo Stove wood gas stove.  It only weighs 9 ounces and you can cook a meal with just twigs.  It has an alcohol stove option that fits inside and only weighs a few ounces.  You can get both stoves as a kit for …


Economics and Investing:

The most educated and indebted generation ever – Average student debt has tripled since 1990 while earnings have gone stagnant for college graduates. Social Security Ran $47.8 Billion Deficit in FY 2012; Disabled Workers Hit. (Thanks to SurvivalBlog’s G.G. for the link.) Items from The Economatrix: Say Good-bye To The Good Life US Retailers Scramble After Lackluster Holiday Sales Home Prices Rose In 9th Straight Month


Odds ‘n Sods:

Jim S. sent: Don’t Fear That Expired Food    o o o Reader W.C.P. suggested a piece by LTC Dave Grossman: The Enemy is Denial    o o o The fledgling C.R.O.S.S. missionary organization is looking for a volunteer publicist. In essence, they need someone to schedule interviews and to help write press releases. This is a way that you can help out that requires no cash outlay whatsoever. This position is not geographically bound. (You can live anywhere that there is a reliable Internet connection.)



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 44 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 …