Captain Rawles:
I am a fairly skilled soldier in the U.S. military. Without going into details suffice it to say that I am extremely capable mentally because of my military experience as well as a healthy desire to educate and train myself in my free time. However, I travel most of the time. I have no stored food and don’t own any possessions that won’t fit in my car. Due to travel I don’t even own my own firearm, even though I am trained in the use of dozens of arms and explosives. Assume that I’m am the perfect soldier for hire. How do I convince someone that is ultimately prepared for any scenario, specifically extra armaments and food, to allow my assistance? How do I make myself a walking resume in a time of crisis? Would a well-prepared person have any reason to accept my assistance? Is there some sort of “secret handshake” between survivalists that couldn’t be faked?
Sincerely, – Andrew S.
JWR Replies: Yes, a well-prepared person would want to accept your assistance, if you can document that you have specialized skills–particularly in field medicine, sniping, and field demolitions and improvised weapons.
I recommend that you make two full-size laminated copies of your DD-214. In a double Ziploc bag, also carry copies of your commendations, OERs (or EERs), and at least two letters of recommendation from your current and recent commanding officers (COs). To get letters of recommendation from your COs (or perhaps your CSMs), tell them that you are thinking about working as a Personal Security Detail (PSD) contractor in the Stans, with a company like Xe Services (formerly known as Blackwater.) That way, their letters will highlight your tactical skills.
I also recommend that you assemble a full-blown Get Out of Dodge (G.O.O.D.) kit–also called a Bug out Bag (BoB). Think of it as a “sustainment load” for TEOTWAWKI. In your circumstances, you should try to fit most of this gear into a large backpack, plus a dufflebag or two. Keep in mind that since what makes you marketable is your skills, you consequently need to have the references to back them up. That means that you should be carrying copies of books like these:
- Special Operations Forces Medical Handbook (This edition superceded the very out-of-date ST 31-91B)
- Wilderness Medicine
- The Little Black Book of Violence
- Engineer Field Data (FM 5-34)
- U.S. Army Ranger Handbook
- Where There Is No Doctor
- Where There Is No Dentist
- Nuclear War Survival Skills
- The Encyclopedia of Country Living
- SAS Survival Handbook
- Ultimate Sniper
- Total Resistance
- The Last Hundred Yards: The NCO’s Contribution to Warfare
- Great Livin’ in Grubby Times
- “How to Survive the End of the World As We Know It” (Yes, a shameless plug for one of my own books.)
A few key tools, such as a full-up medic’s bag (the bigger the better) would also be a comforting sight for someone that might hire you. Also, a pair of cap crimping pliers (or a Leatherman tool with a cap crimper) and a small blasting machine might also prove useful.
One last suggestion: Wearing a SurvivalBlog Operator’s Cap might also prove to be useful for introductions. In some circles, it is the next best thing to a “secret handshake”.