Survival Think Tank

Operating in Hostile Environments

2013-03-27T17:59:00.001-04:00

In the video, Operating in Hostile Environments, we explore the different threats to liberty and some technological (and not so) ways to defeat those threats.

Here are the relevant links that you'll want to check:
Bitcoin - crypto currency that would survive a dollar crisis
Tor Project - software for secure internet operations
Tor Mail - secure e-mail for the security minded
Liberté Linux - reliable, lightweight and easy to use secure operating system
Defense Distributed - get familiar with the 3D printing freedom movement here
Gun Thread Adapters - An expedient way to acquire a ~~solvent trap~~ suppressor.
Start Page - a private way to surf the internet, make your homepage now

Please enjoy, and share this link with everyone.

Paint Your Gun - (Just for Fun)

2012-08-23T18:35:00.000-04:00

The economy sucks and most of us can't afford to buy a new gun. With some ingenuity and patience, you can turn that boring old black rifle into something a little more new and exciting. We can't promise this project will make you shoot straighter, but it will help take your mind off the collapsing economy and a tyrannical government that would throw you in jail for speaking your mind.

In the video below, TRW walks you through his experience in painting an AR-15 in a complex pattern. It took some time, but with some patience and determination, you'll get your gun looking sweet. Here is the list of things we used on this project:

A gun to paint :)
Spray paint (item numbers may vary):

Krylon Ultra Flat - White 8144
Krylon Ultra Flat - Khaki 4291
Krylon Ultra Flat - Olive 4293
Krylon Ultra Flat - Dark Grey 8146
Krylon Ultra Flat - Brown 4292
Krylon Ultra Flat - Black 4290
Krylon Ultra Flat - Clear Acrylic 1303

Painter's tape
Wax paper
Exacto knife
Old cutting board
Camouflage pattern reference (computer screen, cammo pants, etc)
Expedient paracord clothes line
Wire hanger pieces to hang your gun parts
Lung and eye protection and a ventilated area
Lots of patience

Here is the companion video to this article:

Here is how it came out (for those of you with poor bandwidth for videos):

Gun prior to clear coat treatment

All together

My favorite part of the gun's paint scheme

Highly ~~jury rigged~~ modified Omega Rail (cut out a piece to fit the front sight)

Much love to the now defunct, Calvary Arms, and much disdain to the BATFE

Please comment and share. Keep your projects happening and your powder dry!

—TRW

Becker BK2 Companion Knife: "Enhanced Interrogation"

2012-02-23T20:26:00.000-05:00

There are literally thousands of choices when considering a fixed blade knife. We at Survival Think Tank are knife nuts, and love our high end blades for sure, but we also respect a quality knife at a great value.

In the novel, Tunnel in the Sky (Heinlein), we are bombarded with the importance of a fixed blade knife in a survival situation. Once you read this book, you'll never get too far from yours. As a gift for your son or daughter, we would recommend purchasing them a copy of this novel and shortly after, a good fixed blade knife.

Enter the Becker BK2 Companion blade:

At $64.99 USD from Amazon, this knife was priced right, but was the quality up to par for the price? If you've seen the video, you already know.

Chopping: A good chopper, but a little short for thicker wood. When chopping for extended periods of time (without gloves), the knife remained comfortable in the hand, which is huge. Some of us own 300 dollar knives that blister hands doing what we did with the Becker BK2.

Handle: The handle is made from a synthetic material called grivory, but it felt and looked like Nylon-6 Glock composite material. The handle proved to be indestructible, as we threw it into dozens of trees (missing sometimes and hitting sandstone rocks), batoned it with wood logs and were generally rough with it. The handle was tough, and comfortable.

Blade Durability: You've got to see the video to believe it. We stabbed metal, chopped hardwood, threw the knife, hitting rocks and the knife performed well.

After watching the "Enhanced Interrogation" video, pick yours up here.

Pros: Awesome, American made knife for the price.
Cons: Sheath is made in Taiwan. It's good quality, but you'll want to pick up something like this Spec-Ops sheath for serious carry.

Military/OGA Deployment Get Home Bag

2012-01-03T21:38:00.001-05:00

Scenario: Currency crisis/economic collapse while serving in the military or as a civilian contractor overseas.

In this knowledge base article and video, Survival Think Tank examines a possible overseas get home bag for military and Other Government Agency (OGA) civilians abroad. Most of those out there that follow the Survival Think Tank already understand the merits of putting together a get home bag for those situations in which you might find yourself cutoff from your main supply lines.

When serving in the military and on deployment abroad, you are in essence in a bug out status the moment you step aboard that aircraft or ship transport. You have separated yourself from your main line of supplies that remain home with your family, or in your barracks room on base/post. Most of us deployed in the military have limited storage space, forcing us into an unfortunate logistical situation.

We would like to point out that the kit in this video is not an all inclusive list of everything you'll need when deployed, or operating overseas. Please keep in mind that this kit supplements kit that you would use every day as a US service person. We didn't include no brainer items like sleeping bags (you probably already have one in your tent/berthing/barracks), multi-tools, etc. Those items are part of your every day kit and are therefore not discussed.

Below, we portray the grab and go emergency pack that TheRoadWarri0r will bring along during his 2012 deployments overseas.

Firearms disclaimer: We did not include firearms in this overseas kit, as carrying personal firearms with you on deployment is likely prohibited by your unit and applicable federal laws. Use your own personal judgement, but be cognizant of the fact that if you are caught, you could be discharged from the military. Wouldn't it have been great if those soldiers were armed when the Fort Hood shooter went on his selfish rampage, killing over a dozen human beings on a major US Army base?

Without further delay, let's begin outlining the overseas get home survival kit, which is really designed to get you back to the Continental United States as quickly as possible.

Water, Food, and Shelter; the Lexicon of Survival

Water

Survival abroad (or anywhere) should always begin with the basics. The ability to store and treat water on the fly will be one of the most valuable capabilities in your pack. We've chosen the Sport Berkey Portable Water Bottle as our primary water treatment along with the portable MSR Miox purifier pen for particularly suspect water. Our suggested tactic would be to fill your internal reservoirs (bladder) until you can't drink anymore at EVERY water source along your journey, and then fill and purify your external reservoirs (water bottles, etc) prior to leaving your water source.

Warning: Don't be tempted to drink untreated water from overseas 3rd world sources unless in a real and dire emergency.

Food

Dried food is likely your best initial option as it's light and portable. You'll run out quickly so you will need to establish your food plan in a hurry. This is where your precious metals and bartering skills might come in handy. You will not feasibly be able to carry more than a week's worth of food on your person, so you'll need to constantly be on the lookout for more fuel.

Shelter

You will potentially be spending some nights out in the elements in your attempt to get back to the Continental United States (CONUS) during a global economic collapse or currency crisis. Your resources will be limited, and it will be a good idea to keep a low profile. Your monetary resources might be tight along the way, forcing you to live a destitute or hobo lifestyle. You could be working your way across continents as a handyman or busboy or security for hire. Be ready. We chose the Hennessy Hammock for its portability and multi use form factor. Not only can it be used as a tent, it can be used as a seat or even a pack cover or as a means of rain/fresh water catchment. The only thing we didn't like about it is where it's made. You can order one at Plan B Outfitters using the STT discount code. Do your research.

Medical Supplies, Tailored to your Situation

Medical

Chances are, if you are stuck abroad during a currency collapse scenario, your most likely injury will be foot blisters and hot spots from your heavy pack rubbing against your waist. You could be doing a lot of walking. Plan accordingly, assess, and bring the medical support items you think you might need. We like QuikClot, Moleskin, a variety of bandaids, anti-biotic creams, bandages, etc. Prescription medication should be at the top of your list along with any useful antibiotics you can grab prior to departing what is left of your fast dissolving military unit.

Compact Med Kit made by First-Spear with Tactile (not tactical) Deployment

Your medical supplies should be easily accessible with tactile function, meaning you'll want to be able to access your stuff in the dark or during other low visibility conditions. In the photo above, observe the red beads. Yank those, and your kit unrolls. You'll also want to be able to get to your medical supplies one handed in the event one of your arms is broken. This med pouch is made by First-Spear, and you can check it out here.

Comms

If you you don't have comms, you are in a bad way my friend!

In the book, SURVIVORS: A NOVEL OF THE COMING COLLAPSE, (highly recommended) written by James Wesley Rawles, a deployed active duty military soldier is forced to traverse continents and oceans to get back home during and after a full-blown global economic collapse. The character frequently employes an HF transceiver to communicate back home with morse code. Feel free to visit the expanding Survival Think Tank Book Store for more good reads that we've personally read and vetted.

HAM Radio

We also advocate bringing along a compact HAM radio, but it may not be practical or possible to communicate reliably around the world with a compact HF transceiver. With the Yaesu VX-7R (radio on the left in the photo above) you can monitor key frequencies and transmit on repeaters using applicable repeater directories. Do your research. About the size of an AR-15 magazine, this little HAM radio is worth its weight in your kit. You'll need to have a HAM license to transmit. Useful information about earning a HAM license can be found here and here.

Satellite Phone

In order of importance right behind food, water, shelter, and a good fixed blade knife, is the Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro Satellite Phone. This compact communications powerhouse allows you to initiate POTS (plain old telephone system) communications with anyone in the world in seconds. It operates independent of local telecom infrastructure and will allow you the ability to call home, even when every cellular tower around you has been toppled and burned. It operates using a system of geosynchronous satellites. Most will say that this phone is too expensive, but the hardware is actually cheaper than a new Apple iPhone, and scores more useful when on a mountain top in Afghanistan or exfiltrating after blowing up an SA-5 site in Iran. :)

A drawback to satellite handsets, is that they are dependent on ground station support to maintain communication satellite constellations.

We still favor the user friendly satellite phone as most of the communications you'll need will likely take place in the initial months of implosion, a period when the INMARSAT constellation is still online, based on GPS constellation survivability studies. An added advantage of the handset we recommend is that you can quickly text or e-mail your GPS coordinates to recipients worldwide. There are quite a few other places besides Amazon that sell this handset. Do your research before purchasing.

Review Note: We've personally tested the device moving at 22+ knots through the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, a thousand miles from land and we had no trouble getting a lock and logging on to the INMARSAT network for a call/e-mail. The handset will not work from the North and South Poles because of IMARSAT satellite orbit limitations (geosynchronous). See graphic below.

Caution: Some military units may prohibit the possession of personal satellite handsets. You have been warned.

INMARSAT Coverage. "Can You Hear Me Now?"

Currency

Ultimately, your goal is get get back home to the good old United States. Without a means to pay your way back, you may become a permanent fixture in the country you find yourself formerly serving in. Chances are, you will not be the most popular person in town as an ex-soldier/sailor/airman or devil dog. Not an option. Acquire precious metals from reputable sources like APMEX before deployment. Do your research.

Ten years ago, we may have recommended that you hold enough local fiat currency of the countries you anticipate to be operating in to pay your way home. With worldwide economic instability predicted in 2012 and beyond, we must recommend you hold precious metals so you may convert that real store of wealth into the local currency as needed, or barter your way home. We recommend US Gold and Silver Eagles. Also, be sure to secure your precious metals in a safe and clandestine location while deployed. Don't alert anyone to their presence, even your closest comrades. You may also study the target country in which you'll be operating in, and determine other portable and storable barter items that might come in handy along your way.

Transit Home

This is uncharted territory. There will be a lot of assumption in this small paragraph. One possibility for transit across the ocean, is a sea freighters or other ship of suitable tonnage to make it across whatever pond you need to cross. Other options include foreign military air transport to the Americas. Be prepared to pay handsomely for your transit. We have researched cargo companies, shipping lanes, and schedules in anticipation of an upcoming deployment. We recommend you do the same.

When do you leave your unit? This is a question you're going to need to answer for yourself. Leaving your military unit during a currency crisis or collapse is going to be risky business. Chances are, your chain-of-command will not release you until it's too late. Use your own judgement, and be prepared to face the consequences if you punch out too soon. Trust your gut. Your family will be there for you long after you leave the military service. Adjust your priorities accordingly.

All Packed, Let's Hope We Never Need It!

Packed with essential kit, our Arc'teryx Bora 50 bag weighs in at 28 pounds. Not too shabby considering the capability this bag provides and the force it multiplies. With this kit, you can drink clean water, eat for a few days, make shelter, fire, and even make an emergency call home or send e-mail from any where in the world. In closing, we'd like to stress the importance of getting your kit ready for your upcoming deployment and not waiting until the last minute. Do not find yourself in the vulnerable position of being told to "find your own way home" without resources. The global economic situation is very real. Ignore it at your own risk!

Good luck on your overseas deployment and come back alive. We need you!

Author's bio:
Author is an active duty military officer and graduate of the navy's survival, evasion, resistance and escape (SERE) school located in Brunswick, Maine, and the USAF high risk capture SERE (SV-83) school in Spokane, Washington.

The Grey Man Directive

2011-11-03T20:49:00.001-04:00

Grey man - an individual who possesses the skills, ability and intent to blend into any situation or surrounding without standing out, concealing his or her true skills, ability, and intent from others.

The grey man directive, some say, cannot be learned. Some insist that being a grey man is just something you are--or you're not. In this article and companion video, we take you inside the mind of a grey man, a man that understands the importance of blending in, careful to exist in the fringes between the pendulum swings of social paradigms. In most urban survival situations we will likely face at home, being grey is your best course of action to avoid kinetic confrontation. There is no complete manual on how to be grey; no written instruction to guide you. It's instinctual, environmental, and situational dependent.

(fig. 1) - STT's graphical explanation of the Grey Man Directive phases (click to enlarge)

The Grey Man Directive is broken down into phases with Phase 0 being every day life in the United States and Phase 3 being an all out Road Warrior throw down in the streets. The directive assumes you will be interacting with your environment outside your home. We'd like to note that the term grey man refers to a man or a woman in context of this article.

In the first phase, or Phase 0 of the grey man directive (far right of fig. 1), there is little assessed clear and present danger to you, your loved ones or your property. In most--but not all--areas of the United States, we currently remain at the Phase 0 level. In this phase, we can afford to sacrifice firepower for stealth, as stealth is at the top of the grey man's lexicon. Remember, generally the more "grey" you are, the less firepower and kit (equipment) you have on your person. It's a trade off and a balance at the same time.

Warning: As of this writing, some regions of the United States are beginning to blur the lines of Phase 1 threat conditions. Phase 1 will be explained later in the Grey Man Directive.

Agent - for the purposes of the Grey Man Directive, an agent is defined as anyone or anything that the grey man wishes to conceal his/her true skills, intent and survivability assets from.

Phase 0 (normal state) Apparel and Ethos

As you can see in fig. 1 above, Phase 0 is the most stealthy phase of the Grey Man Directive. It is also the safest operating environment. In this phase, your goal is to effect interaction with your environment and evade the detection of all agents as to what you really are--someone who will protect yourself and your loved ones with deadly force if threatened with congruent levels of force by a hostile agent (looter, rioter, thug, murderer, etc., etc).

A Phase 0 gray man will not wear compromising articles of clothing such as photographer's or tac vest (fig. 2 below), or any type of overt tactical clothing. In this most strict phase of stealth, vests like in fig. 2, may cause unwanted delay and questioning by authorities (another type of agent). Clothing like this is a sure signal to authorities that you may be armed. Remember, you not only wish to avoid attention and contact with hostile agents, but also unnecessary contact with agents of the state.

(fig. 2) This tac vest is not recommended for Grey Man Phase 0 operations

Head gear: An unassuming ball cap is a great component of the Phase 0 grey man. It is useful for keeping your face off high mounted security cameras as it will conceal the upper facial features. Remember, when choosing your Phase 0 clothing, stay away from target identifiers, like NRA insignias, Tea Party or Gadson Flag markings, firearms manufacturers, etc. These insignias are an overt signal for the authorities to ask you questions like, "are you armed?" or my personal favorite, "Do you know why I'm stopping you?"

(fig. 3) Don't be tempted, leave the shallow bumper sticker politics to the non-greys

Overt political statements are not for the grey man. We are men and women of quiet action, not bumper sticker politics. Yes, this rule goes for your vehicle as well. We recommend that you remove your target identifiers (fig. 3).

Upper body: Earth tones are always a logical choice in urban camouflage. Avoid bright colors or faddish styles. A earth tone or grey t-shirts with little or no brand markings are a good choice.

Belt: Don't skimp on your belt. Purchase and wear a high quality full grain leather belt with tackle hardware, especially if you are carrying a concealed firearm. In Phase 0, avoid wearing what we call in the firearms culture, "war belts." They are thick tactical nylon rigger's belts capable of withstanding heavy lift loads, such as an emergency tactical helicopter extraction. They are another clear sign that you might be carrying a firearm. Besides, if you purchase a top quality leather belt from trusted manufacturers, you'll have all the utility strength you need for most survival purposes. Belts have many uses besides holding your gun--and your pants--on.

Lower Body: We recommend generic non-designer blue jeans or even khaki work pants, pending your operating environment. Avoid expensive looking jeans. People have been assaulted and murdered for less, even in the US. In Phase 0, avoid pants advertised as "tactical" or "operator" as most of them have military looking pockets and zippers all over them, a dead give away that you are likely armed.

Shorts: If it's hot outside, shorts are a good Phase 0 threat option. No one said that being grey means you must be uncomfortable. You will not blend well if you are the only one wearing jeans on a hot summer day. Again, consider your operating environment.

Socks: When applicable, we recommend wool socks. Wool maintains warmth even when wet.

Footgear: Choose wisely. We recommend comfortable tennis shoes or quality leather loafers with oil resistant soles (no leather soles). In a survival situation, you may be walking many miles in your footgear, through bad weather. When wearing shorts, the best option is something in which you can move quickly. Flip flops offer no foot protection and slow you down. Consider this when choosing footgear in Phase 0 operations. Flip flops are not recommended beyond Phase 0.

Now that we've covered Phase 0 threat operation apparel from head to toe (literally) it's time to go over the kit recommended in a Phase 0, any-town USA environment. Some of the Phase 0 kit will be applicable for future phases.

Phase 0 Kit

Note: follow all applicable federal and state laws pertaining to firearms. We regret that many states do not recognize the Constitution of the United States and restrict firearms unconstitutionally.

Weapon system: In today's day and time in the United States, we highly recommend any would-be grey man to legally carry a firearm for self protection. As stealth is the hallmark of Phase 0 and the grey man's mantra, we highly recommend reliable polymer sub-compact pistols in 9mm, such as the very concealable Glock 26 shown in fig. 4.

(fig. 4) Sub-compact Glock 26 - 9mm

The Glock 26 is a favorite of many concealed weapon practitioners. Its compact frame and respectable capacity, coupled with world renowned reliability (Gen III models) make it a solid choice. You may carry the weapon in any concealed manor that you have trained and are comfortable. We believe the stealthiest way to carry is inside the waste band (IWB) appendix carry (fig. 5, 6). Grey men should note that this also adds a certain level of hazard. If you get your shirt caught in the trigger guard during reholstering, a negligent discharge could occur resulting in injury or death. Be careful and train often if you intend to carry using this technique. Remember, no one has ever won a gunfight by reholstering quickly! Be quick to draw, but slow on your reholstering.

(fig. 5) A t-shirt and shorts Phase 0 Grey Man. Is he armed?

(fig. 6) Yep.

The grey man philosophy on carrying a firearm is simple and has been repeated throughout generations: "I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it."

Smart Phone: Many would argue that your communications device is your primary weapon in a Phase 0 environment. Your smartphone is essential kit for Phase 0 for sure, but it won't save you from an active shooter, mugger, flash mob or over zealous Occupy Wall Street thug that wants to beat you to death for no apparent reason other than you being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some prefer the flexibility of Droid phones as you have the ability to use external flash storage, keeping survival manuals stored for viewing anytime. Some like the Apple iPhone platform for their numerous reliable and vetted apps. The choice is yours.

(fig. 7) Smart Phone running a compass application

Folding knife: Carrying a quality folding knife with you is a good idea, but use caution. Many Phase 0 grey men have been made by friendly agents because of the knife clip showing visibly on the outside pocket. Some agents may see your knife clip and make the mental link that you are likely armed (which you are). Paint your clips to match your pants, or clip your knife in a location that isn't visible by any type of agents. See fig. 8.

(fig. 8) Something as innocent as this visible clip can shift perceptions, and perception is reality!

Flashlight: Although many smart phones have a flashlight function, a high quality hard anodized aluminum flashlight should still be considered as part of your Phase 0 kit. Both Fenix and Surefire make good every day carry (EDC) flashlights. The Fenix E01 clips to your car keys and is hardly noticeable.

Backpack/Courier bag: The backpack is not recommended for the grey man in a Phase 0 environment. Remember, you are carrying less gear in order to attain a higher measurement of stealth. How many suspicious glances might you receive from store clerks when wearing a backpack while walking into a department store or other retail area? Why? The employees have been trained to keep an eye on you, as your backpack is a sign that you might be a shoplifter. You are now a security threat and have just lost your grey status. Exceptions exist (colleges, hiking trails, etc.). Bags also invite unconstitutional searches by agents of the state in some major US cities.

Remember, your ultimate piece of kit for this phase is your good judgement. Use it.

Phase 1 (Flash Mob/#OWS Frenzy Warning) Apparel and Ethos

Phase 1: In this phase, the hostility threat level has increased to the point that your safety is in question. As you can see in Fig. 1 at the top of this knowledge base article, your stealth will be compromised to allow for more kit, and firepower. Certain areas of the United States are in Phase 1 at the time of this writing; particularly areas with high incidents of flash mobs, Occupy Wall Street Protests gone bad (Oakland, CA) and racially motivated hate crimes. Phase 1 is generally limited to specific regions, townships or events, but could spread far and wide quickly. This article describes a modern day Phase 1 situation in which being a phase 0 grey man might not be enough to save your life and limb from hostile agents.

Headgear, upper body, belt and lower body: No change from Phase 0.
Footgear: We recommend you upgrade to a plain, dark mid-length leather boots with a steel toe and comfortable foot inserts.

Phase 1 Kit

Weapon system: In a Phase 1 environment, it's recommended that you carry a weapon system with higher capacity than your Phase 0 sub-compact. You can accomplish this by using higher capacity magazines in your sub-compact or by purchasing a Phase 1+ pistol such as the compact Glock 19. The Glock 19 has a 16 round capacity with standard magazines, five more rounds than the Phase 0 recommended Glock 26 pistol. Not only is it recommended that you have the initial 15+1 rounds at your disposal, it's also recommended that you carry two 15 round back-up magazines on your belt, concealed by your untucked shirt.

Front pants pocket: pepper spray for those times that deadly force is not necessary or warranted.

Smart Phone: No change from Phase 0. The smart phone is still must have piece of kit for Phase 1. Note: Smart phones should not be considered a reliable means of communications beyond Phase 1 due to inherent Phase 2+ infrastructure vulnerabilities and law enforcement agent network kill switches.

Folding knife and flashlight: Recommended. No change from Phase 0.

Backpack/Courier bag: During Phase 0, backpacks/courier bags were not recommended, but during Phase 1, they become more necessary to the grey man. We recommend a low key, civilian looking grey man style bag with light to medium capacity (fig. 9).

(fig. 9) Timbuk 2 messenger bag, black

Bag contents: We recommend extra high capacity pistol magazines for your Phase 1 weapon system be kept in your urban style pack, along with extra water, energy bars, rain gear, socks, and phone/flashlight batteries. Although you are wearing two magazines on your belt for reloads, it's not a bad idea to have more ammunition via 30+ round magazine in your pack (read the book Black Hawk Down). Remember, you can always download from your high capacity 30 round magazine to your regular capacity 15 round magazines if you don't need/want to utilize the much larger 30 round magazines (fig. 10).

(fig. 10) Glock 26 with 30+ round mag.

This brings us to the end of Phase 1 and on to Phase 2. From here on out, things get a little unconventional and bizarre. We would recommend that folks simply stay fortified in their homes and ride out any Phase 1-3 scenarios, but that may not be possible in your situation. Ask the people of London, England during the 2011 Summer riots or the people of Oakland during the recent Occupy Wall Street/Oakland riots. Many in England were burned from their homes, with no means of self defense because of draconian police state gun laws. A definite Phase 2 scenario...

Phase 2 (Mass Rioting, Looting and Violent Protest) Ethos and Apparel

Well, the crap has hit the fan and the situation has retrograded into chaos. Welcome to Mad Max (not quite, but almost). This phase discusses the Grey Man Directive as it pertains to Phase 2, or all out flash mobs, rioting and looting on a massive scale in the major cities. During this phase, local, state and federal governments have lost much of their control of the cities, leaving you in charge of your own destiny, but wasn't that always the case? In this phase, the grey man sacrifices a little more stealth for a substantial upgrade in armor and kit. You're going to need it to defend your family and your property from the hostile agents--ravenous zombie-like looters and murdering home invaders.

Headgear: Major upgrade recommended. We strongly recommend an upgrade from your ball cap to a protective helmet resembling a bicycle helmet (fig. 11).

(fig. 11) To the untrained eye, a bicycle helmet.

Although to the trained eye, it's clear this is no ordinary bicycle helmet, it is stealthy enough to fool most violent miscreants into believing you are just a bicyclist trying to get back to your bike or even back home. It will protect you from most blunt force trauma to the head, but not small arms fire.

Upper Body: Major armor upgrade recommended. During a Phase 2 scenario, level IIIA body armor becomes a necessity (fig. 12). Do not imagine for one second that you are the only person on the streets with a firearm during a "without rule of law" (WROL) scenario. We also recommend you wear the armor underneath your clothing as to not attract unwanted attention.

Level IIIA body armor and carrier by First-Spear.

A flame resistant long sleeve shirt is another recommended upgrade from Phase 1 to Phase 2 on your upper body. A cotton shirt will not melt to your skin if you are forced to run through a molotov cocktail party, but that fancy "sweat wicking" exercise shirt will likely become fused to your skin in a matter of seconds.

Belt: No change
Pants: No change, but avoid flammable materials
Footgear: No change

(fig. 13) The Phase 2 Grey Man with helmet, body armor, knee protection, messenger bag, & a Glock 19.

Phase 2 Kit

Most items from Phase 0-1 apply to Phase 2.

Weapon system: In a Phase 2 environment, it's recommended that you carry a weapon system like the Glock 19 with a 15 +1 round capacity and upgrade to at least four 15 round back-up magazines (not including your 30 round magazine backups in your bag). For this phase, we recommend an outside the waist band holster (OWB) with retention as you will need to be able to deploy your weapon quickly and will likely be forced into situations where someone may attempt to reach for your weapon. Most inside the waistband holsters (IWB) do not have retention capability. In fig. 13 above, you can barely see the bottom two inches of the multi cam OWB holster.

Smart Phone/Comm Note: In a Phase 2 and 3 Grey Man scenario, normal cellular and data communicates may be degraded or denied by agents of the state. It is now an open secret that some paramilitary government law enforcement agencies possess a capability to disrupt civilian communications networks via "kill switches." Expect your personal communications to be somewhat degraded and ensure you have a proper communications plan in place to mitigate the degradation. Another likely reason for disrupted cellular and data communications is damage to infrastructure incurred by civil unrest or rolling blackouts from plant worker walkout.

We recommend you utilize a backup communications radio, but be aware that it is not a secure means of communications (but neither is your mobile phone).

Knife/Flashlight: Upgrade to a high quality fixed blade knife and hard anodized aluminum LED flashlight with spare batteries.

Backpack/Courier bag: Stick with the low key, civilian looking grey man style bag with light to medium capacity (fig. 9). You will upgrade to a larger pack during Phase 3.

Phase 3 (Mad Max, Rioting and Looting Nationwide) Ethos and Apparel

We are now in the final phase of the four phase Grey Man Directive. We now find ourselves in the midst of calamity during a full blown social and economic collapse. Hyperinflation has run its course and the populous as a whole has devolved to animalistic behavior. Bands of rioters, looters and bandits control the cities and roam the countryside. There is all out rioting and looting on a national/continental scale. It's quite literally a war zone in the United States during this level of the Grey Man Directive.

Phase 3 Kit

Most Items from Phase 0-2 apply to Phase 3.

You are now on your own, there is no credible government apparatus. The Phase 3 Grey Man has only limited control of how he is perceived.

Weapon Systems: Firepower! M-4 carbine with 200 rounds in magazines, Glock 19, with 200 rounds in magazines. There is no hiding now. To the casual 200 meter observer you may still look like a Grey Man, but anyone inside of 100 meters will know what you are about (to a point).

Communications: Mobile phones are down. Radio is the only means of rapid communications over long distances.

Backpack: Messenger or trekking (hiking) pack filled with essential supplies. Be ready to move at a moments notice. In this phase, molotov cocktails could be raining on your home and bullets might be flying in your direction.

Tactical note: Most modern vehicles offer no protection from small arms fire. You're better off on a motorcycle as we touched on in our Motorcycle Bugout video. It's much easier to get around a pileup in a motorcycle, not to mention the obvious fuel economy advantages.

The major differences between a Phase 2 and Phase 3 Grey man are the upgrade in firepower with the M-4 carbine and more survival kit in the pack. In the photo below, the Phase 3 Grey Man strikes a balance between commando and normal dude in blue jeans. This appearance is a lot less threatening than someone dressed like a SWAT storm trooper during a major collapse scenario.

(fig. 14) Phase 3 Grey Man with M-4 carbine

In summary, we don't feel we need to point out that the world is in turmoil. European countries are on the brink of collapse and the western economies are not in much better shape. The #OccupyWhatever movement is growing in intensity and in some cases has devolved into savagery. We assess that these Occupy-esque protest will continue well into 2012 and beyond with a high probability of resulting in violent civil unrest. We recommend that you prepare and begin thinking about what "Grey" phase you might find yourself in the coming years and what you can do to stave the impending onslaught of self appointed have nots.

Basic AR-15 Parts, Configurations, & Thoughts

2011-09-04T23:18:00.003-04:00

Check out this video for a 14 minute basic overview on the AR-15 platform and a few accessories.

Parts to build the gun in the video were purchased from:
Bravo Company USA
DSG Arms

Please mention Survival Think Tank in the comments section of your online order from those companies if you heard about them from us.

We thank you!

STT Staff

Expedient Hurricane Preparation

2011-08-26T15:20:00.002-04:00

At the time of this writing, Hurricane Irene is barreling up the East Coast and will impact Survival Think Tank HQ tomorrow. This article's companion video could give you a couple last minute survival tips when deciding to "bug-in" or remain in your home during a hurricane like Irene.

We believe it's advisable to remain in your home whenever safe to do so. It's an easy choice when facing a category 1 or category 2 hurricane. For category 3 and above, you really want to do some planning to make the right choice.

Is your home in or near a flood zone? Ask neighbors that have lived in your area for twenty or even thirty years if they've ever experienced flooding. What is the socio-economic situation in your area? We don't recommend that you "bug-in" or remain in place if you live in a very high crime area prone to looting during a disaster. Are you well provisioned with water and food, enough to survive at least a week? Are you well armed in the event you'll need to defend yourself or your loved ones?

Those are just a few questions you'll need to answer for yourself to determine if you need to bug in or bug out before or during a disaster. Ultimately, your safety and survival is up to you.

Although this video is not a full tutorial on hurricane survival, it should give you a quick primer on some things you might have missed.

Good luck, we'll see you on the other side.

STACK IT DEEP! TRW

Ditch Cable, Save Money and Free Your Mind!

2011-08-06T19:52:00.002-04:00

I recently sold my town home for a small gain and moved out of the greater Washington DC area for good. In my new rented home, I decided to really trim the fat on my budget and implement austerity. I rented a place below my means ($700 cheaper per month than my previous mortgage), I cut my landline phone, I took a serious look at my budget and kept slashing.

One of the items on my chopping block was cable TV. The Verizon FiOS package I paid for while living in DC cost me well over $200, most of which was for channels I never watched. In fact, most of the programming I paid for, is what I consider a form of mind control. Like the movie, They Live, I felt as if I was being clandestinely programmed by watching all the IQ lowering programming. Your eyes truly are an input device, just like the computer keyboard in front of you. You are simply allowing evil to access your mind's keyboard, and subsequently, your mainframe, by watching most TV shows.

still shot from the movie, They Live

The matrix had me, I wasted hours watching mind candy like the latest reality abomination or mainstream news. This mind control robbed me of my time to devote against the real enemy at the gates. I can now honestly say that I have not watched mainstream news in three months and I only pay for specific entertainment that I choose consciously to watch and enjoy. My mind feels healthier as a result. What follows is my guide for getting off monthly paid TV addiction. Instructions start with the basic techniques and progress to more advanced cable/satellite TV busting options. None of the options below include monthly charges unless you choose to pay for a Netflix or Hulu subscription. Let's begin.

Note: All TVs made after 2007 should have an ATSC built in; this is required. (If your TV says “HD ready” it does not have a digital tuner built in).

Examine your expectations. Be realistic. You won't be watching as much TV anymore, and this is a GOOD thing. You'll actually have more time for projects, or time to spend with your family. After you have accepted you won't have--"1,000,000,000 premium HD/3D, explosive channels for $199.99 a month for the first year!!!"--anymore and that you may need to pay for individual TV shows that you can't live without, then you are ready for the next step in unplugging from the mind control matrix cable/satellite TV complex.
Whew!...now that we're beyond step one, it's time to select an antenna. This is all based on your home configuration, location, proximity to trees and shrubs, other buildings, etc. The first thing you will need to do is go to AntennaWeb.Org. This site will tell you exactly what type of antenna you need to receive the channels you want for FREE, after you enter your address (or your neighbors if security minded). The site does all the signal calculations for you to include what direction to point your antenna. Most likely, you'll need the Antennas Direct DB2 model, available fairly cheap online at Amazon. If you don't already have a mount and you want it on your roof, you can also purchase the optional J-Mount for the antenna. If you live in a rural setting and want a more capable antenna with multi-directional capability, choose the DB4 model. If you live near a tower relay, choose this small indoor antenna. I use the DB2, mounted on a cheap camera tripod behind my TV (photo below).
Connect the antenna directly to your digital ready TV, open up your TV users manual and then initiate the antenna TV channel scan via your TV remote control. The scan will find all the channels that you are capable of receiving for FREE with your $35 antenna. The good news is that you'll already know what channels you can receive because you've already been to AntennaWeb.Org.

DB2 antenna, zip tied to a tripod, hooked to my TV with regular coax cable

I receive the following channels for FREE using my $35 dollar antenna, cheap tripod and some zip ties. I never watch many of the channels, but they are there in the event I need to receive emergency broadcasts or other information FREE over the airways.

By the nature of the way you receive these channels, you will notice that they are many times more high definition and clear than your cable provider. Your paid TV provider uses lossy compression algorithms on your signal to save bandwidth and money. With the OTH HDTV antenna method, you are receiving the clear, raw HDTV signal. It's very clear, you'll see.

Screen captured from AntennaWeb

STT note: You are also getting the benefit of losing your cable box or satellite TV box in the process. There are some that claim these boxes have the capability of reporting your viewing habits and/or TV status to the host company, and with court order, to the authorities. We currently have no evidence to prove this, but we assess it is possible. A second order effect is that you will also consume, and pay for less power, saving you more money.

Advanced Off Cable/Satellite Grid TV - From this point on in the article, we explore advanced techniques for watching TV beyond the Over-the-air (OTA) antenna technique outlined above. This is where it gets a little more expensive, but greatly increases the quality of the things you watch and listen to.

Advanced setup with Mac Mini, Apple TV, DB2 Antenna

For a more advanced cable free setup, you are going to need a high speed internet connection and some extra hardware. The extra hardware will cost money up front, but will be paid for in less than one (1) year because you are not paying a $130 per month cable bill, with all those hidden taxes and fees included that they didn't tell you about up front.

The cheapest advanced setup requires an Apple TV ($99). With the Apple TV and a high speed internet connection you can stream Netflix, rent movies and TV shows and watch all those subscribed YouTube channels (hopefully Survival Think Tank is one of them). The APPLE TV has an HDMI connection and provides clear HDTV to your set if equipped.

Behold, the $99, hockey puck sized, Apple TV

The "Tier One" advanced setup includes the Mac Mini. The price of this little computer depends on the options you add on to the computer. This little computing powerhouse brings the entire internet to your fingertips--and your HDTV.

Mac Mini connected via HDMI cable

With the Mac Mini, you can do everything you do on a normal computer but you are using your HDMI connected HDTV as a computer monitor. If you go with the wireless keyboard and trackpad, you can surf from your couch with ease. Mac Mini has an HDMI port in the back for easy connection to your HDMI equipped TV.

HDMI cables are cheap online.

Apple wireless keyboard and trackpad

With both the Mac Mini and the Apple TV, you will have the option of using iTunes to purchase specific programs that you enjoy, instead of paying for programs you don't. Purchasing TV episodes ranges from $2 per episode or $16-22 per season. You can rent some episodes for 99c. Of course, if you don't want to pay for TV, you can just wait for the episodes to get posted on legal websites and watch them for free. This puts control back into your hands instead of the cable or satellite TV companies.

Now that we have opened your mind to the basic and even the "Tier One" post-paid TV setup, we encourage you to experiment and research your options and come up with the best option for you. Honestly, I've been severed from the cable company for months and don't miss it.

Here is our video, if you are a more visual person:

Please feel free to log in and leave a comment or question below.

Nothing Like a Good Battle Rifle

2011-07-31T22:47:00.002-04:00

Many people out there preparing for hard times rely on their trusty M-4 carbine to get them through. At STT, we say, "nothing wrong with that," but we also like to display other defensive options for those that have the hard earned resources to acquire them.

We've shot multiple 7.62 sniper platforms but we keep going back to the Larue Tactical OBR. For the money, it's tough to beat. Yes, it's expensive with the base model coming in just under $3,000 USD, but it's competitors will cost you even more but we're not sure more gun comes with the higher price tag of LaRue's competitors.

All the "brochure-int" you wanted to know about the gun as far as specs are concerned are here:
http://larueosr.com/

We used Hornady match grade ammunition from BulkAmmo.com for our evaluations. Check them out, they have a wide selection of ammunition at competitive prices.

Some of the wave top points to be made about the 7.62 (.308 depending on your background) OBR are that it is obviously a more powerful round that your M-4s 5.56 (.223 depending on your background). The M-4 carbine is really designed to be a 200 meter gun, but with the LaRue Tactical OBR, coupled with some training, you could be hitting steel hard at 800 meters and beyond. The OBR isn't just a sniper rifle. If you opt for a shorter barrel (we like the 18) and collapsible stock and 1-4x optic, you could very effectively use the rifle for short range work as well.

Warning: This isn't an M-4, it's heavy. Be ready.

We at STT highly recommend you round out your firearms collection with a battle rifle. Which one is up to you. We obviously recommend LaRue Tactical.

Stack it Deep!

Shaving on the Cheap

2011-07-16T22:43:00.001-04:00

TheRoadWarri0r's Shaving Kit

Many of us are required to shave daily because of our jobs or possibly because we are looking for a job and want to look as sharp as we can. In this knowledge base article, we're going to present some information that can save you BIG money in the medium and long term.

Times are a little tough for most of us regular people and many of us find ourselves pinching pennies. How many of you out there use the latest four bladed "Mach-Fusion" gimmick razors that cost about $4 to $5 each?

It slices, it dices (your face) and even cooks breakfast!

And the combat model.

There is a much better option out there for you!

What you'll need to get started.

Hot water
Patience
Proraso Shaving Cream (or brand of your own choice)
Shaving cup to mix lather (coffee cup or my favorite, a canteen cup all work well)
A good quality DE razor like the Merkur Futer or Merkur Model 180
More patience
Double Edged Razors, like these Derby Extra or Feather razors
Good quality badger hair brush, like this Tweezerman
Proraso aftershave (or brand of your own choice)
15 minutes of time (less as you get better with technique)

Check out this video where TheRoadWarri0r breaks down the advantages and of double edged (DE) razor wet shaving.

Note: This article applies to women as well. Most women want to save money and have men in your lives that shave. There are even women that use the double edged (DE) safety razor on their legs and enjoy the results of a good smooth shave.

Another fine YouTube channel that discusses DE wet shaving that we recommend: Mantic59

And of particular use to the beginning shaver:

And this video as well:

Happy Survival Shaving!

SurvivalThinkTank

STT Micro Triathlon

2011-04-27T19:44:00.006-04:00

STT micro-triathlon results
500 meter swim: 9 minutes, 40 seconds
1.5 mile run: 11 minutes, 50 seconds
5 mile bike ride: 30 minutes (storm conditions)

Total distance: ~6.7 miles

For those that ask, the GPS is a Garmin 60CSx

Survival isn't about the most expensive gear or how much gold and silver you possess. A lot of what makes a survivor is a mindset and a little luck.

Have you ever heard the old saying that chance favors the prepared? What this means is that you have a large influence on your own luck if you take certain precautions and make certain mental, physical and logistical preparations.

Any that have read the book, Blackhawk Down will know the importance of being in decent (not Mr. Universe) physical shape. You never know the situations you might encounter or the travails you'll need to endure. How long before you are forced to run your Mogadishu mile?

Legalese BS Warning: The STT recommends you check with your physician prior to beginning any exercise program.

Some that follow STT are in shape, some not so much. For those of you that find yourself a little out of shape, STT recommends you start the following low intensity program to get started on the path to better fitness.

Wear a pedometer for a week and track how far you walk on a given day on average. Some of you that walk for a living around a factory floor will obviously rack up the miles more than an office cube dweller might. Pedometers can be purchased here. It's important that you wear the pedometer from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed. Add up the totals at the end of the week. This is how far you've moved. Your goal is to increase your mileage.
After you have the base number from your pedometer, add one mile per day for a total of seven miles per week. These miles can be counted through walking, running, or jogging. If you choose to bike your extra distance, multiply this number by three and add it to your base average. If you skip a day, make it up the next day.
After a few weeks of the extra miles, add another mile to your goal for a total of 14 extra miles per week (two miles per day over your first week pedometer base average). Again, you don't need to run four minute miles to count them. You may walk or jog or accomplish your distance through a mixture of both.

Tips: Take the stairs every time, park far away from your work entrance (you'll get less door dings and get more exercise), walk your dog more, walk with your spouse and actually have a real conversation (bring up this article for starters).

That's it. If you understand that the secret to getting in better shape is to lose more calories than you take in and to begin with reasonable goals, you are half way there. Report your progress in the comments section below this article. Good luck!

Node Multiplication—Share This Article!

2011-04-12T21:05:00.005-04:00

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter.

Survival Think Tank would like to thank everyone that responded via YouTube comments and e-mail to our Survivalists Unite video. As discussed, below is a breakdown of responses including YouTube comment recommendations followed by recommendations sent via STT e-mail. Please feel free to share this article link with everyone and even start your own website/blog spreading the word about good sources of survival and economic information! This is a zero sum game with no rewards in keeping information to yourself.

Warning: The below sites and channels are YouTube community derived and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Survival Think Tank staff.

Recommended Via YouTube Comments

Recommended Via Email

Spreading the Word or Just Getting Started

2011-04-09T18:33:00.001-04:00

By nature survivalists and patriots sometimes remain confined to their inner circle of trusted friends and family. This can be a good thing but can also limit you to a smaller pool of information and skills. In this video, I talk about sharing information with your neighbor to strengthen your survival probability in the event of US economic collapse or other calamities like earthquakes or hurricanes.

Do you have a YouTube video that you enjoy or another source of alternative news that you prefer? Why not share it with the Survival Think Tank. We'll post your suggestion (after checking it out) in the 'Essential URL' section to the right.

Watch the video below and then send your YouTube channel/news source recommendations to contact"AT"survivalthinktank.com. We'll check it out and report on it in the next video.

If you are interested in purchasing the books mentioned in the video, please feel free to do so at the following: Survival Think Tank Bookstore (full disclosure: all purchases directly fund future content).

Basic Vehicle Kit

2011-03-27T22:36:00.002-04:00

Are you following us on twitter? (twitter.com/survivalnews)

Many of you have seen our Bug-Out Bag (BOB) inventory video and other vids discussing this topic. Here was the last B.O.B. video produced by STT:

This video prompted a few people to ask about vehicle emergency kits so we decided to produced a video on this topic.

The typical B.O.B. and the vehicle kit are two different animals when it comes to survival/emergency kits. The BOB is normally designed to sustain one person for 72 hours or more while the vehicle kit is designed to help you out during a vehicle emergency or urban survival situation where you might need to exfiltrate from a city on foot.

Some of the items discussed in the vehicle/urban kit video are available on Amazon:

Equus 3030 Innova Diagnostic Code Reader for OBDDI Vehicles

Pelican Cases

12v Tire Inflator and Worklight

Stack it Deep!

SurvivalThinkTank.com

Easy Food Storage RIGHT NOW!

2011-03-10T20:41:00.002-05:00

With more civil unrest in Africa and the Middle East on the horizon, you can bet that energy prices will be severely affected. Oil is hovering around $100 per barrel as of the time of this writing and will likely be on an upward trajectory in the weeks to come. You might ask, "What does the price of oil have to do with my food bill?" Stop reading this and take a look around. Ask yourself, how many of the things I own (including food) were delivered on a truck? The answer is likely over ninety percent. The price of fuel will drastically effect the price of your food and anything else you own that was brought to you by fossil fuels.

Take steps now to abate the ripple effect of worldwide civil unrest and dollar inflation by storing food for the future. At STT we are taking the current socio-economic worldwide situation very seriously and are planning for the worst (but hoping for the best).

Recently we purchased food grade buckets and lids from Freckleface.com as well as Mylar bags from Amazon.com.

Watch the video below to see what we did with them.

Stack it deep!

TRW

STT Reviews Vickers Carbine I & II Course

2010-12-22T00:19:00.003-05:00

Not long ago, I was invited to attend Larry Vickers Carbine 1 & 2 training courses in Virginia Beach and later U.S. Training Center, known to some as Blackwater. To make this article a little more interesting, I learned that a couple STT members (myself included) would have the honor of being featured in the DVD and Blu-Ray productions available for preorder at DanielDefense.com.

Any professional firearms instructor will tell you that a $50 DVD is no substitute for a 3-day carbine class but this DVD series will definitely benefit you and get you familiar with the basics of the carbine. Here are a few of my personal tactical takeaways from the class that you will learn about in the video, but there were many more lessons learned than included below.

Training Overview - Carbine I

Carbine Selection & Setup

Big take away here from LAV is you get what you pay for in many instances with M-4 carbines and he regards Daniel Defense as one of the top manufacturers of M-4 carbines. Two other carbine manufacturers that he mentioned positively in conversation were BCM and LMT.

Basic Manipulation

This played out pretty basic as the name might hint.

Zeroing: Shot Groups

Lesson learned - when sighting in your Aimpoint Micro or other optic, make sure you know how many clicks equal an inch at twenty-five yards! Know your gear, especially your optics. Learn about point of aim, point of impact.

Shooting Positions

Basic. Larry wasn't too strict down to the inch on these. He taught the positions and encouraged shooters to manipulate the positions to their advantage.

Reloads

Push, pull, rack, bang is the basic premise. We were taught that it's important to pull on the magazine after you insert (push) it into the magazine well as it may not have seated causing you future headaches (and possibly death) for not ensuring it was seated. Huge takeaway - load no more than 28 rounds in your AR-15/M-4 magazines. It will decrease instances of malfunctions.

Maintenance & Lubrication

Biggest thing to remember here is to run your carbine WET. Dry M-4s tend to malfunction, this goes double if it's raining.

Training Overview - Carbine II

Malfunctions

The class taught a couple basic malfunctions and how to clear them. Pointless to go over it here. Buy the video and force yourself to repeat the drill dry, with dummy ammunition in a safe place. Repetition and muscle memory are the only things that will get you good at clearing malfunctions quickly and efficiently.

Turns

Face it, in the real SHTF world (not at the range shooting paper at 100 yards), you will have to turn and prosecute targets with your carbine.

Switching Shoulders

As a military guy, we were taught how to transition to our weak hands with our pistols and carbines. Larry takes it to another level and offers some unique insight into the problems you might face with modern sling configurations and other unique problems sets (southpaw, etc.)

Barricades & Use of Cover

Important if you want to stay alive. I needed some work in this area. I tended to lean too far outside of the protective cover. I think LAV said something like, "Why even use the cover if you're going to put your whole body out in the open?"

Transitions

If you watch the below video, I'm the student that Larry is walking through the carbine to pistol transition. Big takeaway - inside 25 yards, forget your carbine and transition to pistol to save your life.

Shooting on the Move

Tough but face it, you're dead if you are shooting on the "stand."

In summary the training was a great opportunity to get to know the M-4 a little better and improve hit accuracy in dynamic and asymmetric environments. Larry pulls no punches during his training evolutions and will inform you when you need to pull your head out with the technique that only a 20+ year senior enlisted man (and Tier One operator) will possess. If you listen to him, he'll tell you that his training is for the blue collar working man and that's what we prefer here at the STT. He was practical, didn't sugar coat and taught some real world tactics to help develop your skill beyond the basics. No jumping around or laying on your back, shooting through your legs in his videos, just real practical stuff.

Watch the promo below and then head on over and pre-order the DVDs/Blu-Ray here.

SurvivalThinkTank.com is not affiliated with Daniel Defense or Larry Vickers and receives no compensation for this article or video but we did enjoy ourselves and learned a few things in the process while attending the three-day training event.

The Tactical Carhartt Jacket

2010-12-11T19:32:00.001-05:00

Those of you that follow the Survival Think Tank (STT) articles and videos know that we are practical when it comes to gear. Just because you spend a lot money on something does not make it a better piece of kit. We give credit where credit is due. In this article and companion video we discuss the viability of a do-it-yourself tactical and/or civilian do anything jacket.

You don't need to spend big bucks on tactical jackets made by companies like Eotac, 5.11 or Arc'teryx, and many others. Although those manufacturers make some great jackets and other articles of clothing—they may not fall into your budget.

It seems that companies slap the name "tactical" on a piece of clothing and MAYBE sew some cheap velcro on a single sleeve and charge you an extra $200 bucks. We don't follow the philosophy of name hype here at STT and we're going to show you what we mean in the companion video to this article. STT's own "TheRoadwarri0r" ( of YouTube notoriety) will walk us through the modifications in the companion video.

The first step is to select a reasonably priced jacket from one of your preferred online or brick and mortar stores. We selected the famous and super tough Carhartt jacket for our modifications. Many of you already own a Carhartt jacket so it will make this modification that much easier.

The video will take it from here.

You don't need an industrial sewing machine (like in the video) to modify your clothing. A normal machine might work and you can always do it by hand. It takes time but people have been doing it for ages. The seams don't look as tight but if you use thread that matches the material, no one will notice your handmade work.

With the economy tanking, who can afford to go out and spend hundreds on so-called tactical jackets? With a little time and a willingness to learn you can modify a jacket you already have to be just as good if not better than the big name brands on the market.

TRW wearing the tactical Carhartt in a proper mall ninja pose

Here is our first jacket modification

For this green jacket mod, we replaced the zipper pulls and hood draw string with paracord. We used high vis paracord for the inside pocket, just like in the desert jacket mod above.

Combined these jackets cost about $100 dollars and we are not afraid to roll around in the dirt with them and actually use them how they were intended to be used—as working, shooting, adventuring jackets. Go get yours out of the closet and start modifying!

Pentagon Readies for U.S. Economic Meltdown?

2010-12-06T18:30:00.004-05:00

Is the Pentagon sending a warning signal? Is the chance of economic meltdown in the U.S. so high that the Pentagon needs to spend your tax dollars to war game the issue? The Pentagon plans for "real economic threats to America" says the CNBC talking head.

The Pentagon is concerned about the following scenarios according to CNBC:

Use of sovereign wealth to manipulate markets and currencies
Nation state economic collapse
Sovereign default
Nation state instability
U.S. allies budget deficit and national security infrastructure shortfalls

The news clip goes on to talk about an Army war game dubbed as Unified Quest 2011. The Survival Think Tank (STT) is not clear why the Army would choose to call this war game something so positive as Unified Quest considering the stakes involved in the so called game:

Large scale economic breakdown inside the United States that would force the Army to keep domestic order among civil unrest
Fragmented global power (STT assesses they could mean fragmented U.S. global power)
Drastically low budgets

Large scale economic breakdown? U.S. Army keeping domestic order among civil unrest situations?

STT assessment: The Posse Comitatus Act (Wikipedia link provided) is very clear on the issue of U.S. troops being used domestically and if this horrible scenario is ever realized in the future, it could have far reaching implications to our Constitutional rights. The STT calculates that only a very small fraction of active duty members of the uniformed services might follow orders that could potentially harm civilians or infringe on their Constitutional rights. STT readers should take warning of this Pentagon war game and its timing. This is a clear sign [to the STT] that our leadership and those charged with national defense are seeing the economic threats to the United States as a clear and present danger to our national security.

The news piece goes on to mention that representatives from the U.S. Marine Corps war college had visited financial institutions like the trading floor of J.P. Morgan to study markets.

STT assesses that the reason military personnel are learning about economic warfare is to cage how quickly the economy might fall apart and start a nationwide crisis in the event of a U.S. economic meltdown scenario.

In closing, we strongly advise you to continue to prepare for a long winter of discontent as the unemployment hovers in the nines and the Eurozone loses cohesion. As Congressman Ron Paul often says, "No one knows when the confidence in the dollar will be lost, but it can come quickly." We agree Congressman and we're preparing. We just hope all of you out there are doing the same.

EOTAC Operator Grade Pants, Style 201 - Review

2010-12-04T22:13:00.007-05:00

Core members of the Survival Think Tank (STT) have taken a bit of firearms training both for active duty military applications as well as courses available to civilians. We also have operational experience operating in country as veterans of OIF and OEF for various other government agencies and military units. We are always on the lookout for quality gear, be it M-4 carbine parts and accessories or even wool socks.

We've been seeing a lot of EOTAC gear worn by firearms industry professionals as well as military operators in the field. For this article, the STT reviews the EOTAC Operator Grade Pants, style 201.

Here are some of the things that we noticed during testing:

The seven ounce 100% cotton ripstop is a good balance between durability and comfort.
A metal tack-button closure along with a concealed YKK brass zipper also provides lasting endurance and a strong long lasting closure with very little chance of failure.
Extra deep pockets for weapon concealment.
The additional two wallet/ID pockets in the back keep the deep pockets available for extra magazines or even an ASP Baton back there just fine.
They are preshrunk and washed which is huge for me as I know they will always fit - I have a huge problem with the length of pants, they fit great when I first buy them then they shrink and no longer fit! These pants should fit perfectly year after year.
They have a DuPont Teflon coating which means they will look great after many trips to the field.
The gusseted crotch prevents blowouts in the field which we have had problems with in the past (mine especially with the nylon 5.11 tactical pants).
The belt loops are large enough for most pistol belts (1.75")
The magazine pockets on the leg are an awesome addition (see video).
The elastic waist allows for the flexibility of using an IWB holster comfortably.
They have a nice taper, they fit over the boots perfectly while allowing enough slack to be baggy enough to help with unexpected snakes! :)
The double layer knees along with the free kneepads are a plus for endurance and comfort. Really handy when taking a firearms class or other training.
It's aesthetic more than functional but I really like the Vietnam era jungle style slanted cargo pockets and the drawstrings in the cargo pocket make it easy to secure your gear!

A couple negatives to mention: The pants are nearly $70 dollars retail and made in China. I can forgive this as they are top quality with double stitching in many places. If these pants were made in the U.S., they'd cost $150 bucks. If you are active duty military, contact EOTAC for a discount code and they'll give you a pretty darn good discount.

Here is the video review of the pants. We didn't just throw them on a table to talk about them, we actually wore them every day and used theme in environments that the typical guy might use them. You don't need to be a special operator to enjoy the benefits of quality pants like these.

Note: We have contacted Eotac requesting a discount code for STT readers and YouTube subscribers of Theroadwarri0r channel and are awaiting a response.

Where to buy: EOTAC Operator Grade Pants, Style 201

Full Disclosure: STT is not as of this writing affiliated with EOTAC and did not receive free merchandise for review. We bought the clothing with STT funds without notifying EOTAC that the garments would be reviewed by the STT. STT did not receive compensation from EOTAC for this review or video.

On The Ground Inflation Report - Ammunition

2010-10-10T20:25:00.003-04:00

Real, on the ground intelligence suggests that ammunition prices are rising. Survival Think Tank (STT) has been analyzing the cost of ammunition from the worlds largest discount store over the past year. Here was the cost for Federal 115 grain ammunition in October of 2009:

$9.47 per 50 round box of Federal 9mm ammo

Fast forward to today (10/10/2010) and we see a more "inflated" picture:

Same store and store #, same product, 10%+ inflated price!

Look out folks. Although this is only one on-the-ground indicator of inflation, STT assesses that many more will follow and have a huge impact on your pocket book. STT recommends a multi-faceted approach to thwart absurd U.S. economic policies, policies that by design will destroy your net worth.

Purchase Tangibles - food, water (water filtration), survival equipment (portable generator, medical, etc), firearms, ammunition, barter items (soap, matches, candles, spirits, cheap fixed blade knives, nails, gasoline, tools, etc., etc.)
Open up a Foreign Bank Account - There is not enough money in FDIC coffers to cover the possible coming bank runs. STT likes Royal Bank of Canada (Canadian branch, not U.S.). There are other options but RBC is convenient as you can actually drive to your money in a car instead of needing to take a boat to the Cayman Islands to get your cash. STT only keeps discretionary and monthly spending money in U.S. Dollars. All other moneys go into the other areas in this list. RBC will supply you with a debit card so that you may access your Canadian account conveniently from the United States with your memorized bank pin number.
Buy Gold & Silver on the Dips - (told you so moment) TheRoadWarri0r Channel recommended 18 months ago that subscribers purchase gold and silver--back when silver was virtually half the cost it is today and gold was sub $1,000. STT still recommends you acquire gold and silver but watch for any dips that may occur in gold's rise to $2,000 and possibly beyond.
Get Rid of Things You Don't Need - Ebay, Craigslist, etc. Buy, sell or trade frivolous suburbanite items you have no use for and use that money for tangibles with real worth. Items that are good candidates to sell, trade or donate: Clothes you have not worn in one year or more, appliances you have not used in one year or more, extra vehicles with no survival application, extra furniture, made in China trinkets and anything else you wish you had never purchased. The time to hoard worthless slave labor Chinese crap is...never.

Here is the video associated with this Survival Think Tank article:

(Sub) Urban Hunter - Claiming Your Mark!

2010-09-09T22:50:00.003-04:00

Have you ever thought about how you would feed yourself from indigenous and local food supplies? Gardens are a great idea and have their place but instant food they are not. It can take weeks to cultivate a garden that will supply you with real hard calories needed to survive.

I challenge you to take a walk around your urban area and see if you can find and track game. In the video included in this STT article, I was able to find, fix and prosecute a number of animals that could sustain me for weeks if prepared properly.

According to readily available references, 40-45% of a deer's weight is edible. Claiming a 250 pound mark (deer) as a baseline (many are much larger) an amateur hunter could probably get 100 pounds of meat from his or her kill. Venison is lower in fat so it is around 30 calories per ounce. This equates to 48,000 calories. This is enough to keep you alive for well over a month if you prepare and preserve your game properly. The book displayed in the video below is the SAS survival guide. STT recommends you get a copy here. Although not all inclusive (no survival guide is) it will provide you with a wealth of survival information to include some game preparation techniques.

Squirrel (Suburban Rat) - On average these things weigh about one pound and only about 45% of the creature is edible. At about 31 calories per ounce, you are looking at maybe 500 calories (one meal).

Here are some shots of the game that simulated kills were deemed successful:

Nice Buck and Company

500 calories! Worth it? Sure!

Now without further delay, STT presents: Urban Hunter

The Anatomy of Collapse

2010-09-06T19:07:00.003-04:00

As we approach the 4th quarter of 2010 many are apprehensive about what could be in store for us as we enter 2011. Will we see a recovery? Will we see another great depression? There is no shortage of people predicting both sides of the coin.

Like Gerald Celente of the Trends Research Institute, the Survival Think Tank (STT) are political atheists. We hold no allegiance to any political party and we think for ourselves. The STT assesses that although a socio-economic collapse may not be guaranteed, we are edging closer to cataclysm as the calendar flips forward.

We also feel that our guesstimate is as good as anyone else and may actually be better than Federal Reserve Chairman, "Helicopter" Ben Bernanke's according to his track record (he never saw the current crisis coming). The below is a mind map that indicates the rough and possible anatomy of a collapse (click to enlarge).

The Anatomy of a Collapse (click to enlarge)

One thing is for certain. We have not seen the end of big government bailouts or market volatility. The STT recommends you get out of the market and secure your assets in tangibles to include gold.

Stack it deep!

Nutrition on the Go

2010-08-28T11:10:00.011-04:00

In a SHTF scenario, good clean water will be the most vital resource to your continued existence. In addition to water the next obvious requirement will be food. The amount of food you need on the move depends on your current level of fitness, body fat, and muscle. Your current level of fitness determines efficiency in both the amount of energy you have stored in your muscles and liver as well as the ability to process oxygen which is commonly referred to as cardiovascular fitness.

Thanks to the booming body building and fitness industry there are a ton of great products on the market that are outstanding sources to provide macronutrients or the building blocks of the body: protein, carbohydrates, and fat. All three are important to your survival. Protein with help maintain your muscle which will be essential to your ability to hunt and defend yourself. Carbohydrates will recharge your batteries; they supply the energy stores in your muscles and liver. Finally, fat, which is essential to brain function, your joints, and a small amount of fat storage is necessary to protect vital organs. Most of these also provide micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, which will help in functions throughout the body.

How much do you need? A 200 pound man walking at a slow pace of 2 mph burns approximately 250 calories an hour. If you weigh more with your bug out bag you will burn more calories, if you walk faster you will burn more calories. If you don’t take in calories you will grow weaker especially if you have very little body fat. Here’s a calculator if you want to run numbers more applicable to your body mass.

So here are my recommendations:

My top recommendation is the Zero Impact Bars by VPX. They are very similar to the consistency of the cakes that are in the military MREs but taste much better. Unlike most of the bars on the market these are not coated in chocolate so they will not melt in the heat. They provide a great mix of carbs, protein, and fat at a substantial 440 calories. Additionally unlike many fitness bars the carbohydrates are from complex sources like oats and sweet potato instead of simple sugars. The fat and fiber will help slow down digestion for longer lasting energy and will leave you feeling full. In a bad situation something as simple as a full stomach will boost morale and keep you in the fight.

Many people keep Clif Bars in their bags, which are great for energy and also aren’t coated in chocolate so they will survive the heat. However they have a lot less protein than the Zero Impact Bars. Remember protein is an essential nutrient for your muscles which will be taking a beating while you move, hunt, and fight. Clif Bars are also smaller and contain fewer calories. They do have an outstanding amount of complex carbohydrates and fiber so if you don’t have the Zero Impact Bar these are a great alternative.

Some runners up are:

Promax Bars
Clif Builder Bars
EAS Myoplex Strength Bars

I recommend getting one of each so that you can try them all and figure out which ones you like best. There are plenty of other easy to pack, store, and carry food options all over the Internet many of them are obvious such as beef jerky, standard granola bars or trail mix but these don’t provide the ratio of macronutrients we need in the quantities we need them for the long haul. You will get a lot more bang for the buck carrying these meal replacement bars in your bug out bag.

Many Believe a "Road Warrior" Depression Imminent!

2010-07-20T21:43:00.005-04:00

In a poll recently taken at Prison Planet, nearly 60% of participants believe we are headed in the direction of a Road Warrior depression. How long have we been saying this at Survival Think Tank? Misleading or downright false unemployment data comes out of the Ministry of Information, a.k.a., the Bureau of Labor and Statistics every month. The DOW and other market numbers fluctuate so often and so severely lately that it's a wonder people are investing at all. Housing and commercial real estate sectors are crumbling. How long before we see motorcycles and red mohawks in the streets? We don't know for sure but what we do know is that we are moving in the direction of a Road Warrior Depression and not away from it.

In recent interviews with Gerald Celente of the Trends Research Institute we see that he is calling for gold to climb to the $2,000 per ounce (currently ~$1192 per oz) levels. Some predict even higher. When Celente talks, we tend to lend an ear here at the Think Tank. He's been right more often than wrong on some key trends. If you don't believe us, do some Googling and YouTube surfing (do your own research).

The Survival Think Tank (STT) is working on a project to bust the barriers of information flow among those that want to stay out of the Matrix. One of our future projects will be a call to all STT/Roadwarri0r subscribers to participate in information source sharing and publish sources for everyone to utilize here at the STT. Ever get the feeling that you may be missing key information because you just don't know the sources that others may be utilizing?

We do to! Expect a video in the future calling all of you to participate by sharing your online and public information sources. There are likely hundreds of sites that you don't know about and we are about to get this information out in the open.

Stack it deep.

STT

Improvised Urban Survival Air Conditioning by TheRoadWarri0r

2010-07-08T00:02:00.003-04:00

I came home from work this afternoon, walked in my door expecting my home to be sitting at my "come home setting" of 72 degrees F. I was surprised to be hit with a blast of greenhouse heat. I walked upstairs (even hotter on the second floor) and looked at my thermostat. It told me that the house was sitting at 90 degrees F! I walked outside to my heat pump/air conditioning unit and saw that it wasn't running. The fans were circulating air but it was not cool. I did some trouble shooting to no avail.

Bottom Floor Temperature (10 F hotter upstairs)

I immediately called the HVAC repair folks on the phone and they informed me that they couldn't get to me until the next morning. I had to spend a night in my home with the temps pushing 90. Unacceptable! I refuse to spend my hard earned money on a hotel room or a window AC unit so I decided to suck it up and improvise...

First I had to gather supplies.

Cheap cooler ($2.50)
Cheap D-cell battery fan ($6.00)
100-mph tape (free)
Used 1-gallon ziplock bag (5 cents)
16 lbs bag of ice ($2.50)

Total Cost of Supplies: $11.05

I had to cut the cooler to accept the shape of the fan without too much leaking air out the side.

After fitting the fan, I sealed the sides so that the fan could force air through the cooler.

Now I had to drill out the intake holes for the cooler so that the fan could pull the cool air from one side of the cooler and blow it out the other.

That was about all there was to it. For about $11 and ten minutes of your time you can make a personal air conditioner to keep you cool if your home A/C goes out. It's not going to freeze you out but it helps! below is the video on how it all worked out. See for yourself.