How to be a Civilian Operator–Training Just 8 Hours Per Week, by Cody H.

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Throughout the history of warfare there has always been an elite class of warriors that had superior skills, tactics, and mindset. Today is no different with each branch of our military having its own elite class of warriors.   When you think of a Navy SEAL, Delta, Pararescue, Green Beret (Special Forces or “SF”) , or Force Recon, what phrases run through your head? “Intense”, “Highly disciplined”, “Extremely fit”, “Tough”, “Well rounded”, “Deadly”. These are well-deserved phrases that can be applied to any of the special forces operators and the foundation that built these men is their mindset and training. …


Letter Re: Living in the Time After TEOTWAWKI

Dear Mr. Rawles I read with interest the letter you posted this morning (September 10, 2009) from Bear in California with regard to the skills and services that will probably be required in a post-SHTF scenario. It was all good stuff, and it caused my eyes to drift towards a set of books that have been on my bookshelf for over 30 years. Although, somewhat dog-eared since they only came out in soft cover, they are still highly valuable to me. I am referring, of course, to the Foxfire series that came out in 1969. While you are probably aware …


Economics and Investing:

“The Other Jim R.” was the first of several readers that sent us this: Federal deficit hits $1.38 trillion through August. Mr. W. sent this: Three more down: 2009 Bank failure tally hits 92 Items from The Economatrix: Treasury Sees Millions More Foreclosures Job Openings Down 50% From their Peak in 2007 Why $200 Per Barrel Oil is Just Around the Corner A Year After the Financial Crisis, a New World Order Emerges “System Risk Laundering” — Systemic Root Causes, Part II Forbes: The Dollar Collapses Gold Climbs to 18-Month High as Dollar Weakens US Growth to Slow After “Clunkers” …


Odds ‘n Sods:

This is not overtly related to survival and preparedness, but I found a page of photos linked over at Tamara’s blog simply fascinating: Abandoned Soviet Fortifications and Cities of the Kola Peninsula.    o o o Heather H. liked this piece: Quick Preserves an Alternative to Canning    o o o Cheryl flagged this: CSIS Report: US Preparing for North Korea Collapse Scenario. (Thankfully, the Dear Leader has decreed that a societal collapse will not be tolerated.)


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Never forget, even for an instant, that the one and only reason anybody has for taking your gun away is to make you weaker than he is, so he can do something to you that you wouldn’t let him do if you were equipped to prevent it. This goes for burglars, muggers, and rapists, and even more so for policemen, bureaucrats, and politicians.” – from the novel Hope by Aaron Zelman and L. Neil Smith


Notes from JWR:

Your prayers for The Memsahib would be greatly appreciated. Her remaining life in this mortal world will probably be just a few days. She is secure in her faith in Christ Jesus. I pray that you share our steadfast faith. — I heard that our friend Jeff created a real tempest in a teapot, with his edits to the Wikipedia page on the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition. Be sure to copy and paste it before the Politically Correct crowd eviscerates it. — Today we present another entry for Round 24 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. First Prize: A.) …


The Disaster Garden–What’s Not in the Can, by C. the Old Farmer

“I’m going to garden if the Spinach hits the Fan…I’ve got my seeds in long term storage,” my prepper friend sighed with an attitude of  that’s taken care of now, thank goodness!  I asked if he had a garden.  “No, but I’m ready to start one if I have to.” As a homestead gardener of over 30 years from a long line of homestead gardeners, here is some practical advice culled from my years of experience growing food.  There is no instant garden by digging up the back yard.  I wish it were so!  Lawn grass is one of the …


Letter Re: Should I Buy Camouflage Web Gear?

Sir, I’m looking at various load bearing equipment (LBE), spurred by today’s writing contest entry and several pro-gun friends who have been harping on my lack of LBE. They make the same point as you do – if you can’t carry it, why have it? I see a lot of very nice, military or military-looking LBE equipment. Like a tactical vest with magazine pouches and hydration bladders and so forth. And I can get nice military or military-looking clothes (in [digital camouflage] ACU [pattern], for example). I drool over the cool looking gear. However, other than the magazine pouches, most …



Economics and Investing:

You might have noticed that gold set a record weekly closing price on Friday at $1,005 per ounce, and silver closed at a respectable $16.70. I expect some profit-taking in the next two weeks, so be ready to buy on this dip! From Jeff D.: Treasury sees millions more foreclosures Ben M. spotted this piece quoting Mr. Magoo Alan Greenspan. Market crisis ‘will happen again‘ Items from The Economatrix: Government Paid Dealers $1.2 Billion for “Clunkers” NYC’s Tavern on the Green Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Trade, Jobless Claims Figures Show Recession Fading Money Market Fund Guarantee Program to End …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Earlier this year, SurvivalBlog reader David Wendell launched a video blog on bushcraft skills call Bushcraft On Fire. He has already posted more than 80 practical “how-to” video segments, and has gathered more than 1,100 subscribers. I recommend subscribing. Good stuff!    o o o Reader Jeremy N. mentioned that there are some great storm surge survival tips in Dr. Jeff Masters’ WunderBlog: Tropical Storm Fred is born; storm surge survival misconceptions    o o o Sept. 11th Coast Guard Training Exercises Spark Confusion in D.C.    o o o Thanks to Craig W, for this PDF: M4/M4A1 Carbine Reliability …



Notes from JWR:

This is the day we remember the 2,975 Americans that died as a result of the September 11, 2001 Islamist terrorist attacks (2,751 of them at the World Trade Center). We must remain vigilant and well-prepared, both individually, and as a nation. If you don’t yet have your logistics together, and haven’t yet got the requisite training, then you’re way behind he power curve. — Today we present another entry for Round 24 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian …


One Woman’s View of Budget Preparedness, by Lisa L.

I wanted to write something for the contest for other ladies with children were in the same situation with wanting to be more prepared but not having the means to do so like the books recommend. I’ve had my frustrations but I’ve learned and bought gradually and wanted to share. 🙂 It always upsets me when I hear in the media or from people their point of view that people are helpless due to their income level. This is what I’ve learned so far, how to cook with wheat, stockpiling shampoo for very little and ways to acquire some supplies …


Four Letters Re: Prepare to Garden Like Your Life Depends on It, by Prepared in Maine

Dear Editor I would suggest The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible by Edward C. Smith and The Organic Gardener’s Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control edited by Barbara W. Ellis and Fern Marshall Bradley. These books both recommend Neem Seed Oil for insect control. [After looking locally.] I found that one must order it online. Regards, – Glennis Mr Rawles, In my humble opinion, many blog readers haven’t got a clue about gardening/farming without artificial/soil depleting chemicals. The reason “commercial” farmers must use these items is due to their monoculture crops grown in the same thousand + acre plots year after …