TACTICAL WISDOM: 72 Hours
Originally written by my friend and colleague Joe Dolio for Tactical Wisdom. He’s got class coming up at my place soon. Believe me, it matters more than you know. -NCS
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you’ve heard me mention that you are never more than 72 hours from a complete collapse of society. That can be locally, regionally, nationally, or worldwide. A storm can happen, a grid collapse, or, as appears more and more likely, a civil war can happen.
It’s time to get your awareness level where it belongs. As I write this, A US Governor is openly calling for resistance, including armed resistance, to the federal government with the media cheering his supporters on. No matter which side of the issue you are on, you need to pay attention. Federal law enforcement agents are being followed and ambushed. Many public figures are openly calling for violence on both sides. Rewards have been offered for the killing of federal agents.
Meanwhile, we’ve had church attacks, bombings, bomb threats, and assassinations.
As someone involved in preparedness, you don’t get to just say “this isn’t my problem”. First, Chicago is in the center of the nation, any conflict or crackdown there will have national supply chain effects. You can say “I just want to be left alone” all you want, but the brewing conflict will impact us all.
As an example, I’m leaving on a cross-country trip in a few days. I have decided to re-route my trip to avoid Chicago entirely to reduce my personal risk but think that through. If everyone else does, what impact will it have on traffic on my alternate routes? That’s right, more traffic. You need to be paying attention and plan accordingly.
In February of 2014, people in southern Ukraine saw the anti-government protests in Kyiv and thought, “That doesn’t affect me, I just want to be left alone. The protests aren’t about an issue I care about.” Well, in 72 hours, 18-20 February, those protestors overthrew the government by seizing a relatively small area of downtown Kyiv. The nation was plunged into a civil war which remains unresolved today, all in 72 hours.
You might think, yeah, but that’s Ukraine. It’s just one example. War isn’t always the reason. Western NC and Eastern Tennessee devolved in under 72 hours and still aren’t fully recovered.
What I am trying to convey is that you need to be paying more attention and being on a more ready than not foot print. I know, everyone will say “I’m always ready for anything”, but I mean in real life, not just internet world. In internet world, we’re all perfect warriors poised for action, but the real world is different.
Check your Get Home Bag. Carry paper maps. Carry a means of backup communication (a radio or two). Occasionally run a surveillance detection route for hostile surveillance (I know an FFL who was recently being watched by bad actors). Carry escape & evasion and defensive tools.
For every trip you have planned over the next few weeks, have one or two alternate routes planned out – don’t rely on your GPS.
For the foreseeable future, I’m going to keep my full ruck in the vehicle with 14 days of sustainment. It costs me nothing but space and could very well mean the difference between life and death.
In recent days, there have been several incidents of right-leaning media figures or counter-protestors being assaulted or arrested at these protests. Don’t go there and instigate. You get arrested or hurt. Choose your fights carefully. If you feel compelled to observe, the OBSERVE. This is the time for the famous Gray Man. Blend in, don’t argue when grossly outnumbered, thinking that the police will do the right thing and help you. They are more likely to arrest YOU because it’s easier than arresting the other side.
I know I harp on it a lot but FILL YOUR CAR DAILY. There is no excuse not to.
While we’re at it, CARRY A FIRST AID KIT. Whatever your level of first aid training, get more. It may well be the only aid you get.
Have a realistic grid down plan, as there are multiple groups openly talking about grid attacks from Al Qaeda to ANTIFA, and the FBI is finding Chinese grid-attack weapons deployed all the time. You can’t just pretend it’s not happening or will only happen “in the cities”, as the electrical grid doesn’t work that way.
This environment of targeted attacks means it’s good time to maybe not carry your phone so much or carry it in a Faraday bag, like the outstanding new ones from SLNT, available at the link above. I’ve tested the new cross body sling pack, and it works the second you close the flap.
Have frank discussion with friends and family about the situation and what the reaction plans are for various events like severe weather, grid down, or open conflict. Waiting until they start means you are behind the ball. Run drills and tests.
Most importantly, stop denying that this is happening.
