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This blog post is going to sound insensitive, please don’t take it that way.  This is just the rambling of a normal man who is questioning the world.  I am in no way trained as a Sociologist, Doctor, or any type of educated scholar.  Just take it for what it is, words. 

The are all types of bags in the tactical/prepper market today.  Bug Out Bags, Get Home Bags, Shit Hits the Fan Bags, while most carry the necessities for survival, people forgo the creature comforts they are accustom to when building a wearable bag. Truck bags are a different type of beast altogether.  Your vehicle carries the bag, so weight saving isn't high on the list, yet useful items are.  When I make a truck bag, I want it to contain stuff I need now, not the stuff I need if I am living in the woods for a month or two.

So where to start?  First off, identity your needs, and wants.

Needs:

-Water

-Fire/Signal

-Shelter

-First Aid

Your needs are the basically the bare essentials you want in any bag you carry.  It's stuff that is important to have, could get your ass out of a jam, and save your life.

Wants:

Man, I can go on and on in this section.  It all depends what you want to haul around.  It is 100 percent subjective to YOUR needs. Fuel, tools, tent, guns, floodlights, the possibilities are endless, however for the sake of this article, the wants will be constrained to the limits of the size of the bag.  Great thing is, you can add and subratact gear and tools to fit your requirements.

The bag itself (pictured above) is from LA Police Gear, it's their Tactical Bail Out Gear Bag, and it sells for around 19 dollars, however they run sales often, and can scoop it up for as low as 15 dollars.

I haven't used this bag before, so I cannot confirm on how well it will hold up, but the bag is a best seller (over 130,000 sold), so I doubt there were alot of problems.

-It is made from 600 Denier Nylon

-Has a hidden full size gun pocket.

-Has a slot to fit iPads, tablets, and small laptops.

-The bag is sectioned off down the center, and is covered in a loop type fabric, so you can attach your holders that are velcro based.

-The bag measures approximately 16" x 11" x 6.5" externally (15" x 10.5" x 6" internally.) 

-Includes a padded and removable shoulder strap.

-Numerous pockets, to stuff all type of shit in there.

-High quality zippers with paracord pulls (which I will probably replace)

Part 2 of the article will include all the gear that I have stuff into the bag.  Be warned, this fits MY needs, not yours.  So choose your gear carefully.

A one minute and fifty second trailer was released yesterday for the upcoming movie "American Sniper."  American Sniper details the life of Chris Kyle, US Navy Seal, who is the most lethal sniper in American military history.  Kyle was so infamous during the Iraq war, that the insurgents dubbed him Shaitan Ar-Ramadi, (Devil of Ramadi) and had an 80,000 dollar bounty on his head.  As you may, or may not know, Chris Kyle was killed in the United States by a troubled Marine, who is now awaiting trial for his death.  Bradley Cooper who plays Kyle, has vowed to tell this story for him, and all the veterans who have sacrificed for our country.  American Sniper is being directed by Clint Eastwood, who already has some great films in his quiver as a director (Grand Torino, Heartbreak Ridge.)  The film is slotted for a limited Christmas Day release, opening wider on Jan. 16.  I will say this, make sure you read the book before you watch the movie.

American Sniper on Amazon 

Company Spotlight: REI

 

Atmospherics, and situational awareness.

I’m sure most of you know what situational awareness is, and how it is relevant in your day to day lives.   Most of you are concealed carry permit holders, fathers, mothers, protectors.  People depend on you to keep them safe.  People with a decent grasp of situational awareness also take into account the atmospherics in their current location without even knowing it.

Atmospherics, or environmental recon, is the rhythm, the energy of people, vehicles, noises, cameras, music.  It encompasses all of your senses.  What are you picking up? What are you feeling?  Is there tension in the air?  A confrontation?  A loud muffler?  Someone paying too much attention to your children?

When I enter a space I immediately start taking in atmospherics, and start assessing the situation, even if there isn’t a particular threat I’m looking for.  It is just second nature to me.  I, for one, do not want to take my family into a compromising situation, or one that has the potential to turn dangerous.

I was in my local coffee shop a few weeks ago and as soon as I walked through the door I felt something. It was just a touch quieter than it normally is and there was electricity in the air.  Something was off, and my body, gut, and mind was firing all sorts of signals to find out what the abnormality was.  Turns out it was a couple tucked away in the corner having a mute, semi violent (i.e. grabbing arms) argument/confrontation.  Other customers were aware of this incident, as were the employees, yet not one mother fucker wanted to open their mouth about it (Bystander Effect, which I will have an article about soon).  I didn’t say anything either, but I did assert myself into the situation unknowingly to them.  There was a rack of coffee mugs and various gifts in front of their table, so I took several minutes to peruse everything on the rack.  They eventually got up and left. They walked to their vehicle and I took a mental picture of the douche bags license plate to pass along, if need be.

It doesn’t take a lot of time, just look around, process your thoughts, feelings, and senses. Identify the exits, potential threats, and always listen to your gut.  With the complete awareness of your situation, you will be better able to make rapid decisions (fight or flight), and you will be in a better position to protect yourself and your family.

Steven LaBarre

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