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I did not expect to start a training course taped to a chair. Wrists bound to the armrests. Forearms pinned. Ankles secured to the legs of a battered office seat. There is a saying that echoes through survival circles, “You do not rise to the occasion. You sink to your lowest level of training.” It sounded dramatic when I first heard it. It felt different with adhesive biting into skin. The room smelled like dust and coffee. The instructor’s footsteps moved behind me. A timer started. I took a breath and tried to think like someone who had done this a hundred times. That scene was no movie set. It was a drill at Grey Man Academy. The program promises a quiet path to an uncommon skill set. Think less…

Knives are among humanity’s oldest tools, serving as companions for cooking, hunting, utility, and combat. While the first knives made by humans were likely all-purpose tools — modern design and production techniques have allowed knifemakers to develop tools for very specific purposes. The VIPs at Undisclosed got their hands on several exceptional knives. Each of these knives vary in size, blade shape, materials, and more, giving each a distinct specialization in survival and tactical scenarios. Let’s dive into the details of each of the knives from Undisclosed and discuss the best roles for each knife. OUTDOOR ELEMENT: OFFGRID SCOUT FEATHER Outdoor Element is known for producing a wide array of outdoor survival gear, with a focus on multifunctional design features that allow each item to serve multiple functions — the…

Communicating during a disaster is incredibly challenging. Even in everyday situations, communication is a complex process for anyone involved in an exchange. Add the stress and urgency of a crisis, and things can go wrong quickly. In times of disaster, human beings often struggle to absorb life-saving information effectively. We process messages differently under pressure, retain little of it, and respond unpredictably. In fact, during such high-stress moments, people often revert to simpler levels of understanding, meaning the information shared must be clear and simple enough for a sixth-grader to grasp. Crisis communication should be approached from both the perspective of the listener and the spokesperson. According to the latest Gallup Poll, only 20 percent of U.S. citizens expressed a fair amount of trust in the federal government, while others…

In the year of our lord 2025, to see another backpack review is somewhat unexciting. More pockets, less pockets, marginal material improvements, fancy colors, minor frame style tweaks, it’s an endless series of copy/paste from years prior, or fads that never really catch on. One would think that something as figured out as the humble backpack had reached its peak. Even more so when they’re designed to carry a rifle due to the inherent form factor of incorporating a scabbard. However, one company found a way to buck the trends and produce something that I had initially written off until I strapped my rifle in, threw it on my back, and started putting in the miles. About Skili Gear Skili Gear was founded by Ernie Robinson, an automotive industry professional…

Modern technology has created numerous ways to keep lines of communication open. Cell phones and tablets keep us connected while on the go, and computers and smart devices make communicating with anyone in the world fast and efficient. All this can happen because of a complex infrastructure of cell phone towers, miles of cables, and submarine fiber connecting the continents. Even with a vast infrastructure in place, those of us who spend time in the wilderness often encounter places where our mobile devices have no signal. Even many rural areas have spotty and limited coverage despite having an established population. The complex network that keeps our communications lines open is incredibly fragile. Natural disasters, human conflict, and sometimes the simple deterioration of equipment over time can all lead to mass…

Bodies moved through the Undisclosed schedule with that blend of curiosity and pressure that always settles over a good field course. ATAC rifles came out of cases in a neat line, and eyes did a quick scan of controls and optics. No one realized a personal surprise sat held in their hands. That realization landed only after the final scenario wrapped and the dust of sim rounds settled. Each rifle belonged to the person who had just spent more than a day living with it. That reveal hit hearts and sparked grins. Before that moment, those carbines simply had a job to do. Mission Ready ADER 5.56 stands for ATAC Defense Enhanced Rifle. ADER 5.56 arrives as a complete answer for long, busy evolutions. Weight stays friendly at 5.95 pounds,…

When you hear the term “long-range shooting,” a few things might come to mind. Big rifles, bigger scopes, and probably a competition shooter buried behind a steel barricade somewhere in the American Southwest. What probably doesn’t come to mind is a vineyard in Southern California, a hunting rifle, and a group of down-to-earth people stretching their shots from 250 out to 1,250 yards. But that’s exactly what Practical Precision 101 turned out to be. Hosted at a private ranch somewhere in Southern California (for the privacy of the rancher and guests, we’ll keep the vineyard’s name off the record), this two-day course was run by South Coast Long Gunner, with Ryan Burns as the primary instructor. Burns — backed by the ranch owner and his range safety officers — put…

Every year, we hear stories of stranded motorists who, for one reason or another, end up in a situation that culminates in a fatality. Although we’d like to think we’d never end up in a similarly grim position, the people who actually found themselves in those circumstances probably assumed the same thing. Our overreliance on the GPS systems found on our phones or in our vehicles, as well as the belief that we can “just call someone” whenever we need to, has made us a little too complacent in our preparatory measures. If those luxuries proved to be out of service or just plain useless and your vehicle broke down in a remote location, what — besides luck, hope, and instinct — do you have to rely on to help…

The secret of war lies in the communications. — Napoleon Humans are social creatures. From the moment we’re born, we begin working to communicate with those around us — it starts with parents, siblings, and extended family, then friends and classmates, and eventually coworkers, spouses, and children of our own. In the best of times, our ability to communicate is fundamental to our happiness, but it’s when things go wrong that we feel its true importance. Whether it’s lost hikers in the backcountry, a town devastated by a natural disaster, or a country ravaged by war, our instinct is to call for help from neighbors, authorities, and allies. However, there’s another truth that must be acknowledged: Humans are predators. Even before organized societies formed, we hunted to stay alive —…

Without water, there is no life. Since the dawn of mankind, people have congregated around sources of water which provide the ability to stay hydrated, bathe, attract the prey we hunt, create fertile soil to grow crops, and travel by boat. From the Nile Delta to the Mighty Mississippi, water isn’t just the primary component of our bodies, it’s also the glue that holds together our communities. We often consider the collapse of our government or financial institutions as the most severe blow that could be dealt to our society, and eras such as the Civil War and Great Depression attest to this severity. But the failure of our water supply has the potential to be far worse. Take a look at the most impoverished nations, or areas decimated by…

In a true case of “what’s old is new again” the last several years have seen not only a resurgence of the lever action rifle, but an evolution of it. Although this platform was once reserved for ranchers and cowboy action shooters, well-known companies like Midwest Industries have committed significant resources to developing accessories that modernize this oft-over-shadowed platform. Smaller custom houses like Mad Pig Customs go even further, offering complete boutique builds with selectable furniture, accessories, and colorways. With all this effort expended to teach an old gun new tricks, some of you are certainly wondering: why? We’re not sure there’s a definitive answer. If all you care about is practicality and cost-effectiveness, it’s impossible to deny the advantages of a modern semi-auto rifle with a detachable 30-round magazine.…

“The final weapon is the brain, all else is supplemental.”– John Steinbeck President Biden famously said, “You don’t need an AR-15. It’s harder to aim. It’s harder to use. And, in fact, you don’t need 30 rounds to protect yourself. Buy a shotgun.” He continued, “If there’s ever a problem, just walk out on the balcony here … put that double-barreled shotgun, just walk out on the balcony and fire two blasts outside the house.” Politics aside, we shouldn’t need to tell you this is bad advice — in any defensive shooting situation, you’ll need to account for every round you fire, so blindly slinging buckshot off the porch is a terrible idea. Furthermore, I’d argue that a 30-round capacity, semi-automatic, low-recoil carbine is in fact an excellent choice for…

1 MAKE & MODEL Backpackers Pantry New Meal Bundle MENU Beef Bolognese, Drunken Noodles with Chicken, Fiesta Beef & Vegetable, Pesto Pasta with Chicken, White Bean Chicken & Green Chile MSRP $60 URL backpackerspantry.com NOTES Step up your outdoor culinary game with the Backpacker’s Pantry New Meal Bundle. This bundle includes five distinct meals: Beef Bolognese, Drunken Noodles with Chicken, Fiesta Beef and Vegetable Bowl, Pesto Pasta with Chicken, and White Bean with Chicken and Green Chile Stew. Each meal provides a unique taste experience, from spicy Thai noodles to hearty Italian Bolognese, ensuring gourmet dining no matter where you are. These meals are not only delicious but also easy to prepare, making them ideal for campers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Just add boiling water, and your meal is ready…

While the term has a very different connotation to recreational drug users, in the Special Forces world, a speed ball refers to a small stash of essential fighting gear that can be quickly accessed during a protracted fight. Depending on scale, they can take the form of a bag, box, or cargo pallet, but the goal is to keep the load down to the bare necessities to get through the mission. In military context, the normal ingredients include food, water, ammunition, extra grenades, or other combat sundries. This gave us the idea to explore what the speed ball concept might look like for a prepared citizen. Assuming a baseline EDC of flashlight, knife, pistol, and an on-body IFAK or med kit, what would you need in a hurry if the…

MAKE & MODEL Gerber Center-Drive Multi-tool TOOLS Pliers, Bit Driver, Plain Blade, Serrated Blade, Pry Bar, Awl, Wire Cutters, Wire Strippers, File, Ruler, Bottle Opener MSRP $89 URL www.center-drive.com NOTES Like you, we’re impatiently waiting for the release of the ME3 handheld cutting torch as used by the brave Colonial Marines on their failed mission to rescue the doomed terafarming colony on Archeron. In the meantime, Gerber released it’s latest multitool aimed at taking the place of a real set of tools. The Center-Drive features a long, offset bit driver that’s angled to spin on-axis, as a proper bit driver does. It uses standard 1⁄4-inch hex drive bits for universal compatibility. It sports another 10 (by our count) tools making it almost, but not quite as useful as a pocket…

Imagine you wake at two in the morning to the sound of breaking glass. Your heart races. In a split second your brain goes into overdrive: you worry about your family, defending your home, and the safety of the people you love. You jump out of bed, grab your weapon, and move through a house you know like the back of your hand. In the living room you see the silhouette of a figure who is too large to be one of your loved ones. You turn on your weapon light. A pistol is raised toward you and a shot rings out — it misses to the left. You raise your weapon, present, engage, fire three shots, and the intruder drops to the ground. You move forward cautiously, weapon trained…

Ah, the holidays. They have a funny way of amplifying whatever we’re feeling. For some, they bring the scent of pine and cinnamon, the glow of string lights reflected in eager eyes, and that undeniable buzz of excitement that only this time of year can conjure. For others, the same season stirs up something heavier — a nostalgia that stings more than it soothes, or a stress that feels like it’s closing in from all sides. Love it or hate it, none of us come through December untouched. This time of year magnifies our experiences, our memories, and our needs, both practical and emotional. If you’re traveling, whether it’s a cross-country road trip or a cramped flight to see family, the season demands a heightened awareness. There’s the need to…

As winter’s grip loosens, we welcome apricity filtering through thawing branches. Though frigid days linger, we turn our eyes to trusted gear, knowing spring’s arrival brings unpredictable weather and mud-laden trails. With snow still blanketing parts of the nation, we prepare by sharpening blades, inspecting packs, and awaiting the first signs of green returning to the landscape. As migratory birds reappear, so does our longing for campfires, fresh air, and open trails. It’s time to lace up our boots and step into the wild places once again. 1 MAKE & MODEL Nemo Riff Endless Promise WEIGHT 2 pounds, 7 ounces MSRP $400 URL nemoequipment.com NOTES The three-season Nemo Riff sleeping bag offers a customizable sleep experience with its Spoon silhouette, providing extra room at the elbows and knees while trimming bulk…

Surviving the wilderness requires skill and reliable gear. The same can be said when facing emergency situations in an urban environment, but there’s one variable that we won't often find in the wilderness — people, and a lot of them. Emergencies in the urban jungle can be caused by weather events, infrastructure failure, and civil unrest. In all these situations, having skills and survival gear can help keep us safe, but carrying a larger wilderness survival kit in an urban environment would draw some unwanted attention that could lead to trouble. That’s why adopting the gray man aesthetic and applying that to our everyday carry (EDC) is the key to success. What is a Gray Man? “Gray man” is a term that means blending in with your environment, not standing…

Tony Peel doesn’t look like your typical radio operator. No uniform, no government badge, just a guy who knows his stuff. He’s the founder of Wyoming Survival, a former survival instructor, a blacksmith, and a licensed General HAM operator. That last bit matters because, in the world of radio communications, a General HAM license is your gateway to operating on high-frequency (HF) bands — a skillset that stretches far beyond the limits of the popular Baofeng handheld radios many preppers stash in their bug-out bags. On day one of the HF Operations class, Peel wasted no time breaking down the fundamentals, starting with a question: What is HF? Short for “high frequency,” it refers to the spectrum of radio frequencies between 3 and 30 MHz. Unlike UHF and VHF radios,…

After I turned 50, I got it into my head that I wanted a brand-new vehicle, not used, just once in my life. Our minivan was about 22 years old and Midwestern winters had taken their toll on the body, so it was time for an upgrade. We ended up buying a dealer’s demo model that had fewer than 2,000 miles on it. It has so many gadgets and gizmos, I feel like I’m piloting a spacecraft. While we’re still learning how everything works, I wanted to get the van outfitted properly for the numerous road trips we have planned. I think one of the best parts about getting a new-to-you vehicle is customizing it for your needs. Enter the AP Premium Bag from KY Handcrafted. AP stands for All-Purpose,…

Editor’s Note: The following is a true story. For security reasons, names and exact locations will be withheld and a few minor details changed. “Now we have an understanding.” The airport official tapped the envelope stuffed with American currency and let the group pass through the checkpoint. The clock was ticking, and my friend’s group was trying to get back to the United States from a country in Africa that had imminent flight restrictions pending due to a disease outbreak. My friend and his associates had traveled to Africa for an expedition, but when they attempted to return home, they were stopped at security and told they could not proceed. This was more than an inconvenience — it was a potential disaster. The country was preparing to shut down all…

Tracking is one of humanity’s oldest survival skills, honed by necessity and refined by generations. Yet, in our modern age of convenience, the primal art of tracking often feels like a relic of the past. That was the premise of “Grayside Hunter,” a two-day urban tracking course taught by Freddy Osuna, founder of Greenside Training. As the only Native American-owned and operated tracking school, Greenside Training offers a perspective deeply rooted in tradition while addressing contemporary challenges. Here are some of the key lessons I took away from this transformative experience. A Modern Skill with Ancient Roots Day one began in a classroom setting, where Osuna laid the groundwork for understanding tracking. He reminded us that the ability to track is hardwired into human nature — our brains evolved to…

Lock picking is a skill that elicits a lot of different feelings in people when it’s brought up. Some think of crafty criminals breaking into homes, while others think of spies employing discreet tools to ply their trade. While both these situations can be true, the reality of lock picking is that it’s a skill that prepared-minded people value for both emergency and everyday situations. It’s a common misconception that lock-pick sets are illegal. However, most states and municipalities have no restrictions on carrying lock picks beyond the intent to use them in a crime. In fact, most basic lock-picking sets are inexpensive and accessible to everyone. Before we get into how to pick a lock, let’s look at some of the practical reasons why we would need to pick…

Who doesn’t want to upgrade their camping game? Maybe you can relate — how many tools do you toss into your backpack before heading into the woods? And out of those, how many do you actually rely on? Spoiler alert: Some of the best gear is the stuff you whip up yourself. For many campers and bushcraft enthusiasts, the joy of crafting things in the wild is part of the adventure. There are plenty of clever ways to enhance your campsite, and they mostly hinge on mastering a few straightforward skills with simple tools at hand. The Camp Anvil A wooden stump proves to be an unsung hero in any backyard or campsite. You just can’t underestimate the comfort of having a flat surface to lean on after a long…

It’s time to unleash your inner cave dweller with the thrilling experience of Stone Age cooking, perfect for both backcountry adventures and backyard bonfires. In this guide, we’ll cover the art of creating mouthwatering wilderness dishes using flat rocks, roasting sticks, a stone oven, and hot coals. Get ready to heighten your outdoor cooking game. Cooking Outdoors Survival depends on the ability to make use of everything the environment offers, both natural materials and discarded items we might otherwise overlook. These resources can be repurposed to build shelters, carry supplies, secure water, and maintain fire for warmth and cooking. Just like machines need fuel to run, our bodies require energy to function efficiently. Knowing how to stretch and apply these resources effectively can make all the difference in tough conditions.…

Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” This quote from the book of Matthew in the Bible served as inspiration to Abraham Lincoln, who famously paraphrased it in a speech on June 16, 1858. Three years later, the start of the American Civil War reinforced the truth of these words, but it’s far from an isolated example. From the fall of Rome to the breakup of the Soviet Union, history has proved time and again that deep-seated division is a cancer that — if left unchecked — can topple empires. That’s not to say that differences of opinion are a death knell for any society. In many cases, they’re the exact opposite, serving as a sign of…

When you think about lung damage, you might think about pneumonia, but not all damage to the lungs and chest is related to inflammation due to infections. Trauma is also a possibility, especially for those of us who venture off the grid for activities such as hunting, hiking, or mountain biking. In austere settings, a family medic may have to deal with injuries that can sometimes be lethal without immediate intervention. Penetrating chest wounds often fall into this category. First, some anatomy: The lungs are protected by the rib cage. Humans have 12 pairs of ribs, numbered from top to bottom. These are sometimes called “true ribs,” “false ribs,” and “floating ribs.” The true ribs (ribs 1 to 7) connect to the sternum (breastbone) via flexible connective tissue called cartilage.…

Time for a reality check, America; disasters happen and not just at the local mobile trailer park. Disasters happen in large cities, too. In 2003, a power outage in the Northeast left more than 7 million New York City residents without any type of power for two days. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated and flooded the city of New Orleans for weeks. In 2007, wildfires whipped up by the Santa Ana winds destroyed thousands of homes in the northern suburbs of San Diego; and in 2012, Hurricane Sandy erased some towns in New Jersey of the map and flooded New York City to levels not seen in 100 years. Most times, we have some indication that trouble is headed our way and we can make some preparations for weathering the…

According to the Small Arms Survey, American civilians owned an estimated 393 million firearms in 2018 — that number has undoubtedly grown considerably in post-COVID years. The vast majority of those firearms will never be used maliciously against another human being, but as with any tool, some will inevitably be misused to harm the innocent. If you consider yourself a prepared individual, are concerned with protecting your family from violence, have an active shooter plan, or are just a firearms enthusiast — and I imagine you’re one or all these things if you’re reading this magazine — you should seriously consider owning a set of body armor, or “plates” as they’re often referred to. With advances in ballistic technology, rumblings about legislation banning civilian body armor ownership, and recent violent…

DISCLAIMER This is a general overview and not a detailed list on medications to be stockpiled for an emergency. Consult your physician about personal recommendations that may vary due to age, preexisting conditions, potential conflicts with other medications you may be using, allergies, and other considerations. For years, preparedness strategies have emphasized the importance of having natural remedies in your medical storage, simply because disaster events may leave you without the medicines so widely available today. Antibiotics and other prescription medications should also be accumulated but are harder to obtain in quantity. That leaves the drugs that will be the cornerstone of your survival medicine cabinet: over-the-counter (OTC) medications. OTC medications are drugs that deal with a wide variety of common medical issues. They’re important to give relief from pain…

1 MAKE & MODEL Burris Veracity PH 4-20X50 RETICLE Rapid Cross MOA MSRP $1,560 URL burrisoptics.com NOTES Burris Optics’ Veracity PH 4-20x50 riflescope is crafted for precision with a Rapid Cross MOA illuminated reticle and ED glass for clear vision. The illumination is powered by a CR2450 battery, and the reticle can be adjusted in 1/10 MOA increments. This high-tech optic features integrated PEK (Programmable Elevation Knob) technology that computes elevation adjustments and indicates them on a heads-up digital display. It weighs about 29 ounces, is 13.8 inches in length, and uses a 30mm main tube, making it compatible with many styles of optic mounts. This model seamlessly integrates with the BurrisConnect app, providing essential ballistic data for accurate shots without manual input, suited for shooters who value precision and innovation…

Games involving hiding are a core memory for most people’s childhoods, and this fact holds true across all recorded human history. Why? We think it’s a function of having to learn early on in our lives how to effectively avoid predators who may be actively hunting us. Likewise, we must also learn how to effectively hunt prey (or other predators) who are determined not to be found. Both halves of hide and seek can be directly tied back to evolutionary adaptations required to survive in a hostile world. Unfortunately, while the world has grown more developed, it hasn’t become any less hostile. Yet there are very few outlets in adult life that require us to rehearse or hone those hiding and seeking skillsets. One of those outlets is the Special…

Invitations gave almost nothing away, which was the point. Applicants filled out an authorization request, waited for a quiet yes, and then booked flights to Pittsburgh. Staff met them at the airport, made small talk that revealed little, and waved them into an SUV that rolled out of the city and into the Pennsylvania hills. Phones lost signal as the road wound past farms and timber lots, and conversation settled into the kind of silence that comes when people realize the plan belongs to someone else for the moment. An hour later the vehicles turned into the driveway of the Ben Franklin Range, a sprawling property with steep ridgelines and pockets of cedar swamp. The lodge felt like a modern hunting camp built for small units, with common rooms that…

For those seeking more than a typical getaway, these handpicked wilderness escapes offer more than just scenic views. They challenge your grit, test your limits, and immerse you in landscapes where survival and adventure go hand in hand. Planning a backcountry trek or craving time off the grid? These destinations deliver the perfect blend of raw beauty and adventure. First, we visit the green heart of the Amazon to an exotic location just a few kilometers from the landlocked city of Leticia. Next, the Ben Franklin Range brings us a little closer to home without skimping on the adventure. Tanimboca Nature Reserve Adventure Appeal Tanimboca Nature Reserve turns 75 acres of protected Amazon forest into your personal playground. Sleep high in palm-thatched treehouses, glide through the canopy by zip line,…

Travel today, to just about anywhere in the world, is accessible to most. But the risks involved in travel, especially for the international traveler, are many. However, taking a few precautions and developing a security minded lifestyle can make your journey safe and enjoyable. When considering international travel these days, applying the lessons learned and countermeasures I used as a special agent will help keep you return with enjoyable memories. Prior to travel, always make sure you are fit to do so. Having a clean bill of health and more than enough prescriptions (if necessary) is a foundation level prep. Always anticipate being delayed while traveling and carry the provisions necessary to get you home without missing a beat. Never pack prescriptions in checked luggage, they need to be in…

Winter months bring serious threats for anyone spending time outdoors. Snow, wind, and freezing temperatures cause a host of complications, including an increased risk of hypothermia. This threat is generally understood by those with an adventurous spirit venturing in the frozen outdoors. However, even a small lack of understanding can cause an inconvenient situation to quickly turn into an emergency. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if you are an intrepid adventurer or a preparedness-minded individual just going about your daily life. Understanding how hypothermia can occur, what can be done to prevent it, and how to treat someone in a hypothermic state can go a long way to helping us stay healthy and prepared through the winter months. Thermoregulation To understand how hypothermia occurs and the impact it has on our…

In 2025, the simplicity of communication barely registers as a thought. Imagine your ancestors from a century ago learning about the information and communication potential of the phone in your pocket. The idea that global communication could be so effortless would leave them dumbfounded. These capabilities are easy to take for granted — right up until they’re gone. As long as the cellular infrastructure holds, communication isn’t much of a concern. It remains the easiest and most widely accessible link to the outside world. But anyone who has lived through even a brief outage knows how fast things can go sideways. So, what happens when the usual networks go dark? Few places are safe from natural disasters, and even fewer could avoid the effects of a cyberattack, EMP, or solar…

Being a search-and-rescue volunteer can be as demanding (physically and mentally) as it is rewarding, but having quality equipment designed to help you out in that role can certainly make it easier. In the wilderness, it’s imperative that you have easy access to your most important tools and equipment across preparedness domains to reduce the chances that you become a casualty yourself while you’re helping others. A good chest rig excels in keeping your most critical gear in your workspace while keeping your hands free as needed. One very fine option, and my personal favorite is the Hill People Gear SAR Kit Bag, specifically the full-size version 2. The Bag The bag itself is constructed from 500d Cordura nylon, with an internal volume of 215.63 cubic inches. It is largely…

Reuben Bolieu is a man who trades tents for tarps, drumsticks for jungle knives, and panic for a steady pulse. A California native turned global adventurer, he’s whittled his adventure life down to a 4.5-pound pack and a philosophy forged in frostbite, bear chases, and seismic shakes. From Big Bear’s campsites to Peru’s rainsoaked jungles, Reuben’s path — part ultralight backpacker, part survivalist scribe — spans decades of mistakes and triumphs. With a camera in hand and a story to tell, he’s less about mastering the wild and more about learning from it, one steady, deliberate step at a time. You’ve been on some wild adventures. What sparked that interest? Reuben Bolieu: I’ve been hooked on camping since I was a kid. My grandfather would haul me, my cousin, my…

Anyone who has ever studied for a difficult test understands that memory devices such as sayings, rhymes, and abbreviations can be extremely helpful for remembering key information. Similar memory devices can help us be more prepared to recall important survival skills. S.T.O.P. (Stay Put, Think, Observe, and Plan) and the O.O.D.A. (Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act) loop are two very popular ways of framing your mindset in an emergency situation. The rule of 3s (3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food) is a popular way of recalling survival priorities. Other catchy number and letter memory devices have been introduced over the years to organize processes and groups of ideas with different levels of success. With fire starting, we know there’s a…

For those seeking more than a typical getaway, these handpicked wilderness escapes offer more than just scenic views — they challenge your grit, test your limits, and immerse you in landscapes where survival and adventure go hand in hand. Whether you’re prepping for a backcountry trek or looking to unplug off the grid, these destinations offer the perfect blend of raw beauty and adventure. First up is a submission by Caleb Stillians of Outfitter Services and our first international adventure. After, we get some island vibes going with an exciting location on the island of Kauai. Adventure Appeal: The Karoo Mountains aren’t just another scenic destination — they’re a rugged testing ground for those who crave adventure. From sheer rock formations to deep gorges like Meiringspoort, every step tells a story…

Covert Physical Surveillance (CPS) is a powerful tool, often employed by law enforcement to gather intelligence, monitor suspects, and pursue criminals undetected. But these techniques aren’t exclusive to the good guys. Increasingly, CPS is leveraged by criminals to stalk, intimidate, and even victimize unsuspecting targets. Understanding how CPS operates — and more critically, how to counter it — is vital not only for those in law enforcement but for civilians, too. The threat isn’t just hypothetical. According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Stalking Victimization Report (2019), about 1.3 percent of individuals aged 16 or older — equating to 3.4 million people — were victims of stalking that year. While this figure represents a slight drop from previous years, the danger remains very real. Disturbingly, only 29 percent of stalking…

One of the fundamentals of fighting well is to know your enemy. When we’re talking about fighting violent crime and criminals, there are a lot of varied opinions. Some people see violent criminals as victims of a flawed economic system or argue they’re just mentally ill, while others see them as cunning rational actors engaged in rational acts. Hopefully, the essay that follows will give you a quick summary of who criminals are, how criminals think, how they pick their victims, and how to truly win confrontations with them. Any time we’re generalizing, we must be careful to remember there are always exceptions. The discussion that follows reflects the reality of a Western country with a somewhat intact legal system and a place where scarcity is a forgotten concern. As…

Shoot, move, communicate — these three skills are critical to your success in any gunfight. Unfortunately, many modern firearms training programs only address shooting, encouraging students to build technical proficiency by standing on a flat range and punching holes in paper targets, month after month and year after year. Retired U.S. Navy SEAL Rich Graham set out to build a more well-rounded and realistic curriculum through his training company Full Spectrum Warrior. Rather than only three skills, the FSW program is based on 12 pillars, which include health (diet, physical, and mental), movement and strength, communication and teamwork, situational awareness, work ethic and attitude, integrity, and, of course, being dangerous enough to “be a victor, not a victim.” Recently, Safariland invited me to attend an intense two-day training event at…

Founded by two retired Green Berets, Spartan Blades has a well-earned reputation for excellence. While many of their designs are jaw-dropping gorgeous, they aren’t just wall hangers or safe queens. Every single one is built for hard use. The Spartan-Ronin Torii is an excellent example. The Torii was designed to be the ultimate close-quarters combat knife, and it’s designed by people who know that subject matter intimately. It’s a collaboration between Spartan Blades and Tu Lam of Ronin Tactics. They wanted to commemorate the Green Berets who have served at Torii Station in Okinawa, Japan. This knife is a tribute to them and is intended to honor the C-1-1 CIF (CINC’s Extremist Force), a unit that has a formidable reputation for close-quarters battle and tactical prowess. Being the curious sort,…

I first met Greg Mihovich while training at Deep Woods Ranch, home to former SEAL and firearms trainer Rich Graham — owner of both Deep Woods Ranch and his training company, Full Spectrum Warrior. Greg and Rich are coauthors of some of FSW’s training material, including their unique Combat Mobility Program, which we’ll showcase in more depth in an upcoming issue. During my time at the ranch, I had an opportunity to sit down with Greg and discuss his background and the experiences that brought him to partnering up with Full Spectrum Warrior. I was quite surprised to learn about the landmark disasters that had tested this soft-spoken man with a calmly commanding presence. His story is not only a Cinderella-slipper fit for the guiding principles of this brand but…

With a multigenerational history of firearms experience, teaching, and a deep understanding of all the intricacies of shotguns, Matt Haught and his father, Rob, are true experts in their craft. Rob has been training law enforcement officers and members of the military for more than 30 years, specializing in the tactical and defensive applications of shotguns. He even helped develope the shotgun curriculum for the FBI’s special operations teams. Following in his dad’s footsteps, Matt has cultivated skills with a variety of firearms. He enjoys shooting multi-gun competitions as well as specialty matches such as the BUG (Back-Up Gun) match held in Tucson, Arizona. Additionally, Matt has a wealth of historical knowledge involving firearms, including noteworthy incidents, and has written several articles for our sister publication RECOIL magazine. Combined, the…

MAKE & MODEL 1 Sightron S1 4-12x40 G2 RETICLE Duplex, HHR, Mil-Dot  MSRP $270  URL sightron.com NOTES Mounting the right optic to your firearm is one of the most important modifications you can make. When it comes to targets way out in the distance, a magnified optic can make shooting precisely much easier. The Sightron S1 4-12x40 G2 is waterproof, shockproof, and fogproof and will have you on target in no time. It features a variable magnification range of 4x to 12x, and a 40mm objective lens that provides a wide field of view. The multi-coated optics deliver bright and clear images even in low-light conditions. Built to withstand the recoil of most rifles, it features a nitrogen charged, O-ring sealed one-piece main tube constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum. With several reticle…

Preparedness is not one-dimensional, it’s the amalgamation of a wide variety of skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s not just about knowing how to hunt, start a fire, or purify water, nor is it only relevant in extreme disaster scenarios. True preparedness is a daily commitment that entails everything from your health and financial stability to how you maintain relationships within your family and community. This realization led former Navy SEAL Rich Graham to develop his Full Spectrum Warrior philosophy based on 12 pillars that are relevant to every individual. And like any good leader, Graham doesn’t just teach these principles — he lives by them. When he’s not lifting weights, sparring, or shooting, he’s working to expand his homestead-turned-training compound, raising Belgian Malinois service dogs for his nonprofit organization, or…