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  For self-defense, you preferably need to have handguns, tactical rifles and shotguns. Get a decent handgun in something like 9mm, .40 or .45, something like a Glock or whatever you are happy with. Get a tactical rifle, something like an AR-15 or an AK in 5.56, 7.62 x 39 (short, AK type) or 7.62 x 51 (NATO = .308 civilian). If you are a sharpshooter or expert hunting shooter, then you may want to consider the addition of a sniper rifle (long range hunting rifle). Have shotguns such as the Remington 870 pump-action available for close in home-defense type work, using 00 buck, slugs or similar self-defense shells, or perhaps to arm those less handy with a rifle with as a last ditch defense weapon.

  The shotgun thing is debatable. You could do without them if everyone is comfortable with AR style weapons. Often, some people just feel more comfortable with a shotgun, it makes them feel a little more justified in carrying it for what they see as defensive purposes. In reality, a shotgun has much more recoil, kick, then an AR. Thus arming a diminutive female, for example, with an AR may be a better deal. Particularly when they can get thirty rounds rapidly downrange with little recoil as compared to perhaps 6 rounds of slug or 00 buck from a shotgun. And then reload with another magazine quicker than they can reload the shotgun. Think about it.

  Don’t worry if the law only allows you to have tactical rifles, such as the M4/AR15, in semi-auto mode i.e. single shot: this is really all you need for the vast majority of situations, full auto being a waste of ammunition except in situations at close range facing overwhelming numbers of enemy. Rapid or deliberate fire from well-aimed single shots is much more effective, and your trigger finger can move pretty fast if it needs to.

  Make sure your weapons are zeroed – ‘sighted in’. Make sure that you have enough spare magazines and some sort of rig to carry it in. A minimum of six thirty round magazines would be acceptable, with more if possible. You can never have too much ammunition. Have body armor if possible, at least a ballistic plate carrier.

  For your battle rifle platform, whatever caliber it is, there are several ancillaries that you should consider setting up on the rifle. If we take an AR15 for example, there are a few things you should consider:

   Ensure that the rifle is chambered for 5.56 and not .223. People will tell you that these are the same thing but they are not. The 5.56 chambered rifle will tolerate the greater pressures generated by the military round, and thus you can safely fire .223 in a 5.56 but you may experience problems firing 5.56 in a .223 rifle. Given that in a collapse or civil war situation much of the ammunition available will be government issued 5.56, it makes sense to have a rifle that will reliably fire it.

   You can work with iron sights but you should seriously consider putting a good battle optic on the rifle. This should be a military style optic or red dot sight that allows you to shoot with both eyes open at closer ranges. Not a log slim narrow telescopic sight that will restrict your field of view and contribute to tunnel vision and reduced ability to acquire targets.

   A good example of optics is something like an EOtech red dot sight or similar. A very good solution if you can spend the funds is a Trijicon x 4 sight that allows use with both eyes open for closer range target acquisition and engagement using the ‘Binden Aiming Concept’ but can also be used out to 800 meters with an internal range finder based on the average width of a man’s shoulders. The optic does not require batteries for illumination or operation. This sight can also be incorporated with a Trijicon RMR red dot sight that sits atop the ACOG allowing better close range reactive shooting. It is a great combination to really improve the capability of an AR/M4 style rifle.

   Put a white light flashlight on your rifle, of sufficient power to be useful, at minimum 80 lumens but better to go up towards 200 lumens.

   Consider the purchase of a DBAL visible and IR laser combination to fit on your rifle. These are now available on the civilian market with the low power IR laser only, not the high power, which still allows engagement out to 100-200 meters, which is all you are really expecting at night with your night vision equipment. The use of night vision equipment for night time engagement is discussed later in detail under surveillance equipment. Suffice to say that the recommended best system is the use of a head mounted NVG, such as a PVS-14 monocular, to allow observation and target acquisition at night, combined with a DBAL IR laser mounted and zeroed to the rifle to allow accurate engagement. That is how the military does it. Do not be blind and unable to engage the enemy at night.

  The recommendations above for equipment to fit to your battle rifle add up to being an expensive investment. It would be well worth it in an SHTF situation. Additionally, do not underestimate how dark it will get out there post-collapse when there is no power. You want to be able to accurately target hostiles at the longest standoff ranges possible, both day and night, to reduce the threat to your people.

  On the other hand, do not be dissuaded – if you can’t afford it, or can’t acquire it, work with what you have, such as iron sights and white light. Go ‘old school’.

  Remember that although you will want to have the skill to hit and kill hostiles at longer ranges, the most common ranges for firefights are out 100 meters, perhaps out to 200 meters, so you want good sights that will allow you to quickly scan with both eyes, acquire and accurately target the enemy at these ranges. Reliable red dots are very good, as is the Trijicon ACOG & RMR system, which is in effect the best of all worlds.

  Forget the message of all the TV shows and movies that you see where the actors grab weapons and run around with them as if they were some sort of accessory, with no more ammunition available or carried than what is in the weapon itself. You need to have a means of ammunition carriage and make sure it is on your body any time you go anywhere with the weapon.

  Your weapon itself should always be handy. In any kind of field situation it should never be out of your arms reach, as a golden rule. Slings can be utilized so that you can keep the weapon on your body even when doing some other task. Don’t get irritated and leave it leaning on a tree while you go off and do something else, because you won’t be able to get to it in time. In your home or retreat, or trailer or cabin, make sure that the weapon is readily accessible but out of the reach of children; a post-event suggestion would be to put a shotgun or rifle up on nails or hooks above your bed, and have similar in each room so when you are downstairs you can have the weapon right there on the wall, out of reach of the kids but ready to grab if a warning is given - or if the door is blown off the hinges with shotgun slugs and a raiding team comes boiling through your front door because you never had a person on watch. Maybe get a barking guard dog if there are too few of you to mount a 24 hour watch rotation.

  Carrying a weapon along with ammunition, trauma kit and ancillaries is heavy, hot and sweaty. More so if you have body armor and it is all set up as a single armor carrier with the ammunition pouches attached to the armor carrier, using the MOLLE system, just like you see soldiers doing on deployment. (MOLLE = MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment: The system's modularity is derived from the use of PALS webbing, rows of heavy-duty nylon stitched onto the vest as to allow for attachment of various MOLLE-compatible pouches and accessories).

  You have to suck it up and drive on. It is heavy and you will be sweaty, but if the tactical situation warrants the carriage of long weapons, ammunition and body armor, then you need to get on with it. You could consider multiple ‘rigs’ for different postures and situations, such as having a ‘full battle rattle’ rig set up based on a set of body armor or a plate carrier with ballistic plates for defending against attacks on your location and maybe for going out on forage and patrol missions. Maybe a battle belt rig with ammo pouches and no body armor for when you are working in the yard. You can always combine the two and up/down-grade as necessary.

  These are just suggestions but the idea is that you can modify your equipment to the situation, activity and threat while still carrying weapons and spare ammunition. More about this is covered
in the profile and training sections.

  Leadership

  This is a complex topic. To touch on it: Post-event, we are concerned with operating as groups of friends or families and mixes of such. We may or may not have established leaders. These leaders may also be the natural leaders pre-event, such as parents, but they may not be the right people post-event, depending on their innate skills and qualities: i.e. their character & experience. The skills of people vary widely, and some are better at things than others. It is also true that in times of crisis leaders will emerge, and they may not be the expected or established people. There is a strong argument that in a crisis there should be one leader, in the same way that there is ‘only one captain on a ship’. The idea is to allow decisions to be made and acted upon without the paralysis of argument, debate and dissent.

  However, remember that we are talking about a group of civilians, not bound by the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and therefore anyone who is to be a leader of such a group must hold the trust and respect of the people in that group, at least in the big things, not necessarily in all small things. There are three components to getting the job done: they consist of the needs of the mission, the team and the individuals. These can be conflicting and need to be managed in whatever way is determined to be the priority.

  A group will be made up of people with multiple different needs and qualities. Ideally, whenever there is time for it, a leader will act in an inclusive way when making decisions for the group. At times of emergency, decisions may have to be made instantly and the group needs to understand that and at those times act cohesively to do whatever needs to be done, such as act to escape danger.

  At other times, asking for opinions and including the thoughts of the other team members will be useful; they will feel that they are included and have contributed. The job of the leader is then to take all the advice and sift it to come up with a decision and plan, which the leader can then run by the group for final approval and then implement, with the willing cooperation of the team.

  Certain types of individuals are not suited to working in a team; something that may be prevalent in our selfish, self-centered, lazy, modern society. If possible, do not have these types in your group. If you can’t avoid it because they may be family or similar, then you just have to suck it up and drive on, minimizing their selfish morbidity as much as possible!

  Post-event, we are not only interested in security and tactical capabilities. We are interested in living and rebuilding. Therefore we are living in a small community that has multiple needs. We are not simply a military unit on a mission, and therefore it is not that simple. Utilize the personnel assets that you have by allowing people to specialize in what their talents are. Delegate areas of responsibility to certain people, allow them to develop teams, and let them run with it and ‘command in their own sphere’.

  In military terms, this is called ‘mission command’ and basically mandates that you give a subordinate a mission and let them know your overall intent and allow them to get on and do it, asking for support as they need it. Here is an example why:

  If a commander tells Unit A to “Capture that hill,” and does not give them mission command or tell them the reason why, Unit A will go off and capture the hill. If, now on top of the hill, they see that below them the bridge over the river is briefly undefended, they will sit on top of the hill and probably just report it in. The opportunity is missed.

  If the commander tells Unit A, “Capture that hill, so that I can have you support Unit B as they move up and capture the bridge.” and he tells them that his overall intent is to capture the river crossing, then we are in a different game. Unit A, on top of the hill and seeing the bridge undefended, but with the enemy massing to counter attack and re-capture it, could take the initiative and rapidly assault down, capture the bridge, and save Unit B from having to attack a defended bridge. Unit A will have fulfilled the commander’s intent.

  We should also not forget that with the different characteristics and skills that people have, comes a diverse amount of talents, an example being inherent emotional intelligence. In a group in a survival situation, don’t let the testosterone take over. Make a place for sensible, mature, maternal type females to input; they will be concerned for the good of the group, the children and the weaker members. Listen to their counsel; it may help stop the males from going off and making a hash of it all!

  This is not intended to be a sexist statement, we all know that as many females as males can be selfish and useless in today’s world, but there are inherent differences in strengths between individuals and sexes and bringing the female opinion in and respecting it could add a level of balance to decision making. It’s not even really about the sexes at all, rather more about respecting the opinion of the sensible ones, giving it due consideration, and learning to deal with (manage) members of the group who are not ideal and perhaps more concerned about themselves, or perhaps given over to panic or irrational fears.

  As a leader, you will need to be unselfish and concerned primarily for the group rather than yourself. This is similar to being a parent, and you may in fact be a parent in charge of your family group. A position of leadership will give you ‘leader’s legs’, which is a way of describing how leadership gives you greater energy because you are concentrating on the planning and implementation and you are determined to get the mission achieved, so you get additional energy and drive from that. Don’t forget that others will perhaps not have that.

  A civilian group will also be comprised of all different ages, ability and physical health, and thus this needs to be considered. Push the team when necessary, but try not to drive them into the ground. Your team will gain respect for you if they see you as unselfish, competent and fair. It’s not about being nice. Nice is great, but being a friend is separate from being respected as a leader. Put the needs of your team first: let them eat first, eat last yourself. Being a leader is not about being some kind of warlord or tyrant, taking all the spoils. First your troops, then yourself. ‘Serve to Lead’ as the motto of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst goes.

  Make reasoned competent decisions and treat all members of the team fairly. At the same time, do not neglect yourself: make sure you do get enough to eat and get some sleep. You are no good to your team if you drive yourself into the ground, and simply working long hours is not in itself a virtue.

  Having a good command team will help you in this: have a strong supporting ‘number two’ (as in a good Platoon Sergeant, not a Dr. Evil henchman) and make sure that you have delegated to the right ‘department heads’ so that you have a leadership structure that takes some of the duties away.

  However, remember that as the leader you are always ultimately responsible.

  CHAPTER TWO

  TO STAY OR GO

  Stay in Place

  This is commonly known as ‘bugging-in’, as opposed to ‘bugging-out’ to a ‘Bug out Location’ (BOL). Following the event, it would mean staying at your place of residence, or home, house, apartment. Where your home is will have an impact on how feasible this plan is. For those who live in remote locations, or who have deliberately built and maintained a remote, stocked, ‘retreat’, the best course of action may be to stay put. For those who live in high population density areas, you will have to assess the dangers versus the advantages of staying at home.

  Many people do not have the jobs, careers or financial means to buy or sustain a retreat, or to live there all the time. Some preppers have considered this and decided that they will stay at home. Others have the ability to maintain a separate retreat of varying sophistication and plan on driving there once the event happens. Others have joined groups to pool resources and create a joint retreat where members can go and help sustain and defend post-event; they will also have to travel. They may live in or near the cities for lifestyle and work. Some factors to consider about your home (enemy, ground & friendlies):

   Location: urban/rural. Remote?

 
;  Defensive potential of your home itself.

   Defensive potential of your home location.

   Population density.

   Ability to move your family and equipment.

   Young children, elderly, sick and ill.

   Resources in the local area: food, water etc.

   Your preparations and food/water stocks.

   Numbers of defenders available.

   What would I have to do to make it more defendable?

   Likely threat from looters, mobs, civil disorder in your neighborhood.

  There are numerous advantages and disadvantages for staying put:

  Advantages:

   Does not require the financial cost of maintaining another location to establish a retreat.

   Does not risk movement (transit) in a hostile environment.

   Home comforts: all your stuff and supplies.

   Does not risk heading out to nowhere, unless you have a location you can go to, and ending up a homeless refugee.

   Network of friends, family, neighbors.

   Familiarity with terrain, local resources and features incl. water sources etc.

  Disadvantages:

   Is your home defendable? Most homes are architecturally weak places to defend.

   Do you have the weapons and enough trained personnel to defend your home?

   What supplies have you stored and will you be able to get food and water once the grid goes down?

   Storage: Is your home big enough to store the essentials for long term survival?

   Being a target of looters, fire or other threat that could make your home untenable.