Notes for Saturday – October 3, 2015

October, 3, 2015 is the 22nd anniversary of the Mogadishu, Somalia raid. The 18 Americans killed were: MSG Gary Gordon, 1st SFOD-D SFC Randy Shughart, 1st SFOD-D SSG Daniel Busch, 1st SFOD-D SFC Earl Fillmore, 1st SFOD-D MSG Timothy Martin, 1st SFOD-D CPL Jamie Smith, 3/75 Ranger SPC James Cavaco, 3/75 Ranger SGT Casey Joyce, 3/75 Ranger PFC Richard Kowaleski, 3/75 Ranger SGT Dominic Pilla, 3/75 Ranger SGT Lorenzo Ruis, 3/75 Ranger SSG William Cleveland, Jr. 160th SOAR SSG Thomas Field, 160th SOAR CW4 Raymond Frank, 160th SOAR CW3 Clifton Wolcott, 160th SOAR CW2 Donovan Briley, 160th SOAR SGT Cornell …




Notes for Friday – October 2, 2015

SurvivalBlog readers on the East Coast are doubtless already making preparations for the expected double whammy of a nor’easter and Hurricane Joaquin. Meteorologists are expecting “a historic” 10 to 15 inches of rain in only 72 hours perhaps between Georgia and Virginia. Batten down the hatches! You are in our prayers, folks. o o o Today we welcome our newest advertiser, Tom Henthorn, CPA, of Somers, Montana. (That is deep in The American Redoubt, up at the top end of Flathead Lake, not far from Glacier National Park.) He has taken up the small advertising spot that was formerly occupied …




Notes for Thursday – October 01, 2015

On this day in 1908, Henry Ford introduced the Model T–the world’s first truly mass-produced automobile. The Model T had an initial pricetag of $825 (and was only available in black.) But by 1925, with the economies of scale, the price was reduced to just $260. o o o Today, we present the first entry for Round 61 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Tactical Self-Contained 2-Series Solar Power Generator system from Always Empowered. This compact starter power system is packaged in a wheeled O.D. green EMP-shielded …




Notes for Wednesday – September 30, 2015

On this day in 1787, the Columbia left Boston harbor to began the first ever around-the-world trip by an American-flagged vessel. o o o Today, we present the final entry for Round 60 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $10,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,195 value), 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 …




Notes for Tuesday – September 29, 2015

September 29, 1881 was the birthday of Ludwig von Mises. (He died on October 10, 1973.) o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 60 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $10,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,195 value), 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, DRD Tactical is …




Notes for Monday – September 28, 2015

The current sale on Mountain House long term storage canned foods at Safecastle ends on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. Despite the recent rush of orders, they are offering 35% to 38% discounts. And, unlike many other Mountain House sellers, Safecastle actually keeps most varieties in stock and ready for immediate delivery. (Many of these other sellers are now building a multi-month backorder list. As of September 24, the Mountain House factory was reportedly 95% sold out of their canned foods due to the recent high demand.) o o o Today we present another product review.




Notes for Sunday – September 27, 2015

There are rumblings from social media in the Middle East that the current flow of “refugees” into Europe through the Balkans will increase before winter sets in, and then resume next spring, in a veritable torrent. It appears that many young Muslim men in more than a half dozen nations have been so emboldened by the success of others that they’ve indicated: “I’m going too.” Watch out folks. Next spring and summer we may witness a human wave of Golden Horde proportions. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 60 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The …




Notes for Saturday – September 26, 2015

One this day in 1789, Thomas Jefferson was appointed America’s first Secretary of State. The 26th of September is also the birthday of the late Jack LaLanne. (Born 1914, died January 23, 2011.) o o o Great news! I just heard that Wranglerstar’s book: Homesteading: Rediscovering the American Dream is now available for pre-order. Wranglerstar is my favorite “hands”on” videoblogger, who really lives the life and is someone who has developed a wealth of traditional skills, so this promises to be a great book. His video announcement mentioned that the book features more than 200 photos. o o o Today, …




Notes for Friday – September 25, 2015

On September 25th 1789, the fledgling Congress of these united States adopted the first 12 amendments to the Constitution and forwarded them to the States for ratification. The first ten of these amendments would become the Bill of Rights. o o o A reminder: The big sale on Mountain House long term storage foods at Ready Made Resources will be ending next week. the discounts range from 35% to 50%. Stock up! o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 60 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $10,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: …




Notes for Thursday – September 24, 2015

Notes for Thursday – September 24, 2015 On this day in 1493 AD, Christopher Columbus (Cristoforo Colombo) set sail with 17 ships on his second voyage to the Americas. Also on this date in 1775, Ethan Allen was captured by the British. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 60 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $10,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,195 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for …




Notes for Wednesday – September 23, 2015

Our Managing Editor Hugh Latimer is presently on vacation, so I’ll be filling in with the mechanics of posting the blog each day for the next couple of weeks. So if the blog looks a bit ragged, or if I inadvertently post something twice, then blame me, not Hugh! – JWR o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 60 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $10,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,195 value), A course …




Notes for Tuesday – September 22, 2015

September 22nd in the birthday of the late Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Reid-Daly, who founded and commanded the Rhodesian Selous Scouts. He was born in 1928, and he died August 9, 2010. His history of the Selous Scouts, titled Pamwe Chete, is fascinating to read, but it is a very hard-to-find book. I should also mention that September 22nd, 1290 is the birthday of one of my favorite fictional characters, Bilbo Baggins (in Shire reckoning). o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 60 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $10,000 worth of prizes for this round include: …




Notes for Monday – September 21, 2015

On this day in 1780, during the American Revolution, American General Benedict Arnold met with British Major John Andre to discuss handing over West Point to the British in return for the promise of a large sum of money and a high position in the British army. The plot was foiled and Arnold, a former American hero, became synonymous with the word “traitor”. It’s too bad the current crop of politicians are not held accountable for their treasonous acts. o o o Camping Survival is currently having a sale on Mountain House. It’s a good time to stock up, but …




Notes for Sunday – September 20, 2015

Today, we present another entry for Round 60 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $10,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,195 value), 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, DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hard case to go …