Preparedness Notes for Thursday — August 20, 2020

On the night of August 20 – 21, Soviet forces invaded Czechoslovakia to crush the Prague Spring.

Rusové jdou domů

Rusi idú domov

Русские идут домой

Russians go home

edited to add : in 1968

Talking about an escalating threat spiral, this warning from a veteran is clearly evidence of such. This is a ‘must see’.

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We hopefully have a battle rifle, ammo, and a ton of magazines to feed it, but what about a way to carry it all to the battle. You’ll need one for each rifle, otherwise the rifle is of very limited use. The best bargain out there is the Condor chest rig, and saves the uninitiated the hassle of having to learn about ALICE gear . It can handle AR or AK magazines and perhaps other mags as well. Most defenders will need only the essentials, and no additional weight other than additional loaded magazines and water in an optional small back pack to carry what the chest rig cannot handle.
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The Condor chest rig is not the best, but it is good enough and of decent quality and faster to put on, especially over bulky winter clothing. In warmer weather, I prefer the old LC2 LBE (Load Bearing Equipment), but have several different rigs that this professional would recommend for differet seasons and different load outs. Here is his advice and overview.

Brent0331 Gear and Equipment
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I would also think about combat resupply methods that he covers here.
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Unfortunately this supplier is sold out of bandoliers and cardboard pockets sold here, ^[19],
yet we can load ammo on stripper clips and pack it in a light weight plastic ammo box and add a strap to it. But do not forget to the speed loader, or as some Marines would say, the ”spoon”, that allows one to quickly reload precious magazines if you do not have enough previously loaded up:

Stripper clips:
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Speed loader (spoons):
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Ammunition Resupply, Repackaging Kit, Individual bandolier:

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Most suppliers are sold out. Fortunately I was able to find one that is not, and has the lowest prices on the gear they offer. I would buy additional ‘spoons’ and include them in each bandolier pocket, or use cordage to retain the ‘spoon’.

A general observation. It is not only ammunition, and reloading components that are becoming sold out, other gear essential for operations that is lower on the list is also being sold out as well. The supply is broadly distributed, yet thin. Do not hesitate to purchase and check off the list of battle field essentials, including hydration methods. I am of the persuasion that a nesting U.S.G.I. metal canteen cup should be included, even if one will only use a ‘camel back’ style bladder. Once the essentials are in hand, look at night vision, as that too is flying off the shelves. If even the less effective Gen 1 equivalent digital night vision scopes that are dependent on infra red illumination are too expensive or too complicated for the user, consider a quality red dot type optical with night time settings. The problem of seeing the front sight is solved with the red dot that can be used in low light conditions where only outlines are back lit with ambient light. I also use a red dot that is offset from the scope for acquisition at closer ranges.

From MainPrepper, First Sgt, U.S.M.C, Ret., here is another perspective and reasons why LBE should be set up a certain way.:

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We will likely only one opportunity to get this right. Because I’ve never been in the military, I am all ears when veterans offer their advice. And if someone has had Advanced Infantry School or better yet, real world experience, it good to review so as to better train us who have not the benefit of such experience. Unfortunately I am stuck in that role, and have the burden to have to train others, best as I can. Most of us are civilians, and will have to do this on our own. Stack it deep, as gear is lost and is worn out, and most of all, cram as much between the ears as possible. At least it weighs nothing, and costs little on-line, but time, lots of time. Those with tons of stuff are not as well equipped, if they have little between the ears. Fortunately old farts tend to have more time than the young and fit, and they will need this information and gear. It is far more than just about buying stuff. The mind and spirit is the first and best weapon. Even if you are crippled up, you can be a force multiplier by simply passing along the basics to those who can take it, and run with it.

Thanks TR, I never knew about stripper clips, much appreciated!

Russian school children.

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sorry don’t like paul…

Truth tellers are often not liked. The good doctor is and always has been a truth teller.

Actually, the official name was “The War of The Rebellion”.