My Concept of Operations

The following is something that I wrote quite some time ago on another forum, in response to reading MANY threads from new preppers concerning where to start. For people new to prepping, there is an excess of information available on the internet. Often times it is difficult to find a place to start amongst all of that information.

When first starting to accumulate items for their preps, people ask what to buy, what to pack, how much to carry, to bug-in or bug-out, in vehicles or on foot, etc. This is a difficult question to answer as everyone's needs are different due to the variations in the terrain, weather, environment, and population of where they live. The load that I carry in the southwest United States will do no good for someone in the winter of Alaska. In other words, IT IS UP TO YOU to identify what your needs are.

That being said, I’d like to lay out the concept behind my preparations. Hopefully it will assist you in establishing a foundation to build on. The concept from which I operate is very basic, and is something I’ve learned serving in the Marine Corps: Shoot, move, and communicate.

For any unit to be prepared for combat (fighting an adversary or fighting to survive) at the most basic level, it must have the ability to:

1) Shoot
2) Move
3) Communicate

Shoot: This goes well beyond the simple possession of weapons and ammunition! It means having the technical proficiency to operate and maintain your weapon system. It means having the tactical proficiency to properly and effectively employ your weapon system. It also means having the materials and tools necessary to adequately maintain your weapon system.

Move: In order to move, you must be able to navigate, measure distance traveled, and read a map. If you’re moving with vehicles, you will need fuel and mechanical support. If you’re moving on foot, you’ll need fuel for your body (food/water/rest), and adequate clothing and footwear.

Communicate: Communication comes in various forms: radio, telephone, hand/arm signals, smoke, air panels, flares, etc. You must not only have the capability to transmit and receive messages, but also be able to signal friendlies or rescue forces.

Keeping in mind the necessities of your area of operations (AO), hopefully this very basic concept will give you an idea of where to start.

Remington 700 SPS Tactical, 7.62x51mm NATO

As mentioned in my drag bag post, my Remington M700 was my first precision weapon system. In the Marine Corps, you get the opportunity to push the limits of marksmanship fundamentals with the iron sights of a service rifle or carbine. Shooting an iron sight M16 or even M4 out to 500 yards during standard qualifications has always been a point of pride amongst Marines. However, I wanted to put together an M700 to get into precision and long-range shooting.

I read reviews high and low about which M700 model to purchase. There are so many different trims, build levels, barrels, actions, stocks, and calibers to choose from in Remington's M700 line-up. At the time, and still today, the SPS Tactical was considered the best bang for your buck out of an M700. It features an adjustable trigger, heavy profile 20" barrel, and was  1 MOA-capable or better out of the box. I was on a tight budget at the time I purchased this rifle, and I still believe that it was an excellent value.

I decided to go with a chambering of .308 Winchester/7.62x51mm NATO due to it's commonality, service record, and wide availability of load data. There are many rifle cartridges that excel at long range precision, such as .338 Lapua, .260 Remington, .300 Win Mag, etc. For the most part these cartridges are exclusive to bolt action rifles, and it was important to me to select a cartridge that was compatible with semi-automatic platforms as well. If .308 Winchester/7.62x51mm NATO works well enough for Marine Corps Scout Snipers, its capabilities far surpass my own shooting abilities.

Here is my M700 SPS tactical as it stood when I first acquired it on a budget.

Remington M700 SPS Tactical, .308 Winchester/7.62x51mm NATO
Bell & Carlson Tactical A2 Stock
Millett TRS-1 4-16x50mm, with Illuminated Mil-Dot Reticle
Warne Precision 20-MOA Picatinny Scope Base
Burris XTreme Tactical 30mm Scope Rings, Medium
Harris BRM-S Bipod, 6"-9" Notched Legs, Swivel
KMW Pod-Loc

Initial impressions out of the box, is that the rifle lives up to Remington quality expectations. The action was tight, but smooth. The finish was attractive and even, but does not resist the forming of rust on high-use areas (such as the bolt knob). When I used the rifle for dry-firing, I would need to rub some oil into the bolt knob before storage. Otherwise the knob would become thoroughly rust colored.

I've personally shot this rifle in excess of 800 yards according to my Mil-Dot Master. It took quite a bit of shooting and scope adjustments, but consistent hits were achievable once the rifle was doped in even with standard Federal ball ammunition. Match grade ammunition would obviously lend itself to more consistent performance.

I sold this rifle to a Border Patrol Agent who was preparing himself for Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) sniper qualifications. While this rifle suited my needs at the time, I quickly learned its limitations. With a capacity of four rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber, five rounds always seemed to go quickly. Loading each round individually always felt slow and cumbersome, especially under stress. I ultimately transitioned to the Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) Modular Weapon System (MWS), an SR25 pattern rifle in .308 Winchester/7.62x51mm NATO, but more on that later!

Military Mess Kits

The U.S. Military surplus mess kit is basically worthless in the field. It's more intended as a plate in a chow line, not for actually cooking in the field.

I have gotten excellent use out of an aluminum East German mess kit. Most German mess kits look something like this:

During a time in my life where I was virtually obsessed with spray painting everything, I painted mine with ultra-flat tan Krylon. I then sprayed the base of the kit with black Rustoleum BBQ paint which is heat resistant to about 1200 degrees fahrenheit. This was an attempt to prevent heat damage as I was concerned that frequently using the mess kit over open fires would eventually cause it to fail.

The reason I like this mess kit is that it serves as a storage container also. My entire sustainment kit can fit inside the mess kit, with the exception of a fuel canister for a stove.

Inside, I can store:

(1) Hand towel, to handle the kit when hot
(1) Coleman Micro Peak 1 stove (an affordable stove for an affordable mess kit)
(1) Box of waterproof matches
(1) Bic lighter
(1) Light My Fire Spork
(1) Spice Container

An affordable, self-contained mess kit; everything you need to cook and eat in the field. What's not to like? If there was any military surplus mess kit that I would trade mine for, it would be the Swedish mess kit, complete with a Trangia alcohol stove.

They're supposed to be quite excellent, but complete kits in serviceable condition are hard to come by. The German kits however, are readily available online in good condition.

A Concept: Multi-Fuel Stoves

When it comes to cooking or heating water in the field, I've pretty much used it all: MRE heaters, canister stoves, propane stoves, alcohol stoves, solid fuel stoves, and open fires. I've used stoves from major brands like MSR, Jetboil, Snow Peak, Esbit, and Coleman. Typically, I prefer canister stoves for their ease of use, relative light weight, and fast burn times.

With canister stoves, the fuel canisters themselves are the only real downside. It can be difficult to tell how much fuel is left in each container, which will prompt you to carry an additional one just in case. For prolonged trips or prepping, you'd have to stockpile cannisters; when you're out, you're out. On the upside however, fuel containers are available at any WalMart or sporting goods store. They're also cheap enough to add a few to your cart every time you go to the store.

Dual/multi-fuel stoves are another option, and they've been around for quite some time. They're quite versatile as they can run on pretty much any flammable liquid. In some cases, such as the excellent MSR Whisperlite Universal, the stove can also run on canisters if available.

Dual/multi-fuel stoves can run on camp fuel, unleaded gasoline, and kerosene. In Iraq, one of the tank mechanics in my company used to carry a Coleman dual/multi-fuel stove in his vehicle. He would cook Spam and rice when out on extended missions, which was always a welcome break from MREs. He would use JP8 fuel (technically jet fuel) from the same jerrycans we had on our tanks.

In the event that you ran out of fuel, or during any type of scenario where you suffer the loss of basic water/power/fuel utilities, you would still be able to theoretically use any flammable liquid you came across (Liquor?). I don't depend solely on stoves for my emergency or prepping needs, but they are nice to have if the situation dictates that you don't leave the trace of an open fire.

Interesting Marine Corps Sniper Camouflage

I've done missions and exercises with scout sniper support, but I've never seen these.

Marines from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, utilize sniper skills, fast-roping and small-arms fire while doing sustainment training in Djibouti March 21, 2010.

 

It looks as though these Marines took the USMC issued winter over whites and dyed them with a brown and tan RIT fabric dye. Looks to be an effective pattern, not a bad idea.

Tactical Tailor ALICE Rucksack Modifications

I served in the Marine Corps during interesting times. The Global War on Terror brought enlarged budgets, enhanced training, and improved equipment to the United States Military. I started out in the Marine Corps using the medium and large ALICE rucks, then we changed to the MOLLE II system,  then I ultimately saw the transition to the Improved Load Bearing Equipment (ILBE) system. While the market today is flush with full size pack options, I will always have a soft spot for the tried and true ALICE. I'm glad to see that even today, the ALICE remains relevant and is even used as a foundation for improved pack systems.

My large ALICE was somewhat "customized" by Tactical Tailor (from this point forward, TT), owned and operated by a former U.S. Army sniper until his recent passing.

Modifications:
TT Shoulder Straps
TT Super Belt
All buckles replaced with Fastex quick-release
Hydration Pocket
Carrying Handle
Interior Storm Flap
E-Tool Cinch Strap
ALL STRESS POINTS REINFORCED!

Information can be found at Tactical Tailor.

Super Straps and Super Belt. The Super Straps also have a sternum strap, which the USGI straps lack.

This E-tool carrier is an improvement to the crappy ALICE one wobbling on the outside of your ruck.

In the hydration pouch, I keep a USGI Camelbak in there so it can be removed and used independently if necessary. You could just store a reservoir in there however. The pouch is over-sized, with room to spare for extra kit.

The interior storm flap is great, especially if you've ever overloaded an ALICE ruck and left your kit exposed from under the top flap.

My favorite modification by far is the fastex buckles. With the fastex buckles, it obviously makes accessing and securing the pack easier. It also makes excess strap management easier.

Camelbak TriZip

The Camelbak Motherlode used to be my go-to pack for day/weekend trips. The suspension of the Motherlode was not intended for heavy loads and the pack would kill my shoulders and back. I like to compartmentalize my kit, but the Motherlode was TOO compartmentalized for my taste and made hauling larger gear items difficult.

I picked up the Camelbak TriZip after I saw that it featured the Mystery Ranch Futura suspension harness, which is known for comfort, adjustability to the specific user, and the ability to handle heavy loads.

 

Here you can see how the shoulders of the Futura rig are one piece, and curve out across the wearer's shoulders, rather than being connected to the pack at two separate points at a right angle.

The Futura suspensions is fully adjustable for differences in torso length. The entire shoulder assembly slides up and down and is secured using hook and loop.

The pouch for the hydration reservoir.
 

You can route the drink tube through the top or bottom, on either side of the pack. I like to route mine from up high and attach it to my shoulder strap. I always route mine on the left shoulder to avoid interference with shoulder-fired weapons.

The pouch on the lid of the pack is lined with microcloth, intended to protect glasses or goggles. I use this pouch for items I use frequently. This pouch actually expands to a surprisingly large size.

On each side of the pack there are general purpose pouches. One side is intended for a Nalgene bottle, the other is an admin pouch.

Instead of a Nalgene bottle, I keep a pair of gloves and a balaclava in there.

Here is why this pack is called the TriZip. This zipper configuration allows the pack to be accessed like a top-loading pack or zipped completely open for rapid access.

The inside of the main compartment has a sleeve intended to hold a radio. There are openings on top of the pack to route radio antennas. I obviously don’t have a SINGARS radio, so I use the sleeve to hold an air panel marker, weapons cleaning kit, and an Esbit stove.

As you can see here, this small pack carries quite a large amount of kit…and does so extremely comfortably at that. This loadout is substantially larger than the load I’d carry in my Motherlode and even still, I honestly don’t feel the increased weight of it. If you’ve got a budget close to $300 and need a versatile pack, the TriZip is certainly a viable option.

Here is a picture of the TriZip next to a 14.5" AR for size comparison.

 

QuikClot Hemostatic Agent

I was amongst the first units in the military to carry QuikClot into combat at the field level. Prior to the issuing of the current issued Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK), we were issued the First Aid Kit (FAK), which was the old plastic ALICE pouch that basically contained a pressure bandage and some bandaids.

On another forum, a company representative of QuikClot wrote up an excellent post concerning the modern use of QuikClot, in order to address some of the common misconceptions of QuikClot. A lot of the information found on the internet is from military personnel who admittedly received only basic instruction in QuikClot's use.

The two most common misconceptions, which I was also taught, include:

1) Surgery is needed after QuikClot is used.

2) QuikClot can only be used on arterial bleeding.

The first version of QuikClot was a granular product which was awkward to apply in
windy environments, could blow into your eyes during application, and could cause burns to the patient or the person applying it. The new version of QuikClot is infused into a gauze which is packed directly into the wound, and does not burn hot enough to cause injury.

This is an interesting and informative read; enough to convince me that QuikClot holds a viable place in my trauma kit.

I originally wrote in to offset any misconceptions about QuikClot, and this last post (while having a bunch of good info) shows that there are still plenty of misconceptions out there regarding the product.

The source of much of the misconceptions and rumors floating around about the QuikClot products come from individuals who were exposed to its use in the military.
When it first came out, the military did not do a good job on training
for it. They literally issued it out to soldiers with instructions to
"pour it into a bleeding wound". This is not the way it should be used
and caused some bad outcomes that could have been avoided. The
ORIGINAL QuikClot was in a granular form and did need to be washed out,
"lavaged" is the medical term, of the wound. However, every wound has
to be cleaned prior to closure anyway so saying that use of QC
"requires surgery" is incorrect and misleading. Furthermore, the
granular form of QC isn't the current standard. Combat Gauze is now
the military approved hemostatic agent. In this product, the hemostatic
agent (Kaolin) is impregnated into the gauze. Once the patient
arrives at the hospital, the Combat Gauze is simply removed from the
wound like standard gauze. In fact, it is likely that the surgeon/ER
doctor won't even know that it is a hemostatic agent unless you tell
him. So, again, saying that the "you need to make sure you local
Hospital knows how to deal with it" isn't entirely accurate. Wound
packing with gauze is common practice in EMS and the hospital already
knows how to remove the gauze and prepare the wound for closure. If
you are using the non-military forms of QuikClot (ACS+) the granules
are contained in a mesh baggie and, like the gauze, are removed from
the wound intact. Furthermore, while there was some confusion when the
product was new, QuikClot has now been on the market over 10 years in
one form or another and doctors in the U.S. are familiar with it.



XXXX is correct that a tourniquet is the preferred immediate treatment for life threatening bleeding from an extremity wound. QuikClot/Combat Gauze is the preferred immediate treatment for a wound not amenable to tourniquet placement (i.e. the
torso, groin, head, etc.). But, AND THIS IS IMPORTANT, the procedure
he describes for replacing the tourniquet is called "converting". This
is when you convert from tourniquet use to a pressure
dressing/hemostatic agent. THIS IS AN ADVANCED SKILL that should be
saved for a skilled provider under special circumstances. Numerous
studies have shown that a tourniquet can be left in place for HOURS
prior to any damage occurring to the limb. On the battlefield, it is
entirely possible that we might get into a situation where delayed
transport could occur and only then would I consider converting from the
tourniquet. In a domestic setting, it is rare if ever that we will be
hours away from the hospital (please, save the theoretical "what if"
responses here). If you are in an operational setting where you are
going to be that far away from definitive care then you should plan to
have some form of trained provider with you.

Blood does not "become toxic" from
tourniquet placement. That is just a misconception that has no basis
in truth. I don't know where that one comes from but I hear it all the
time when I teach. No offense to XXXX intended but I really want that
one to go away because it scares people off of tourniquet use when the
tourniquet could be saving lives. The final consideration on
converting from the tourniquet is this. If you put one on, the wound
was probably bleeding so heavily that it caused you to think a
tourniquet was needed. If so, the last thing you want to do is remove
that tourniquet and possibly cause the bleeding to resume. RAPID
TRANSPORT TO A HOSPITAL IS THE TREATMENT HERE. My mantra is "blood in
the body GOOD, blood out of the body BAD". Simple words to live by
(literally).

"QuikClot is a last resort." Again, not an accurate statement. Using the old product, that was partially true. But remember that the product is designed for LIFE-THREATENING
BLEEDING. At that point, I would stuff goat dung and gravel in the
wound if I thought it would keep my buddy alive. The new products sold
today have zero side effects and can be used on any wound. But, due
to expense, I would advise saving it for when it is needed.

"Celox is better than QuikClot."
Based on what? I am not going to engage in a debate about competitors
products in this forum but I would suggest that you read the medical
studies and decide based on science. You can start by looking at the
U.S. Military Tactical Combat Casualty Care guidelines (TCCC). They
recommend Combat Gauze.

Lastly, XXXX is 100% correct that trauma medicine always advances through armed conflict. Vietnam was what created domestic EMS and QuikClot was developed and used in the first Gulf War. My company specializes in developing cutting-edge
military medical technology and I can tell you that we have numerous
products in development that are a direct result of the current
conflict.

I am just happy to see that domestic law enforcement is starting to embrace the need for basic trauma training and equipment.

Combat Mindset

We were taught the combat mindset color codes in the Marine Corps in order to standardize a state of mind amongst Marines. The combat mindset color codes are also frequently seen in the law enforcement community. This method was developed by Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Cooper, USMC and I thought some may find it useful to put a label on their level of alertness.

"The most important means of surviving a lethal confrontation is, according to Cooper, neither the weapon nor the martial skills. The primary tool is the combat mindset, set forth in his book, Principles of Personal Defense.[4] In the chapter on awareness, Cooper presents an adaptation of the Marine Corps system to differentiate states of readiness:

The color code as originally introduced by Jeff Cooper, had nothing to do with tactical situations or alertness levels, but rather with one's state of mind. As taught by Cooper, it relates to the degree of peril you are willing to do something about and which allows you to move from one level of mindset to another to enable you to properly handle a given situation. Cooper didn't claim to have invented anything in particular with the color code, but he was apparently the first to use it as an indication of mental state.[5]

* White - Unaware and unprepared. If attacked in Condition White, the only thing that may save you is the inadequacy or ineptitude of your attacker. When confronted by something nasty, your reaction will probably be "Oh my God! This can't be happening to me."

* Yellow - Relaxed alert. No specific threat situation. Your mindset is that "today could be the day I may have to defend myself." You are simply aware that the world is a potentially unfriendly place and that you are prepared to defend yourself, if necessary. You use your eyes and ears, and realize that "I may have to SHOOT today." You don't have to be armed in this state, but if you are armed you should be in Condition Yellow. You should always be in Yellow whenever you are in unfamiliar surroundings or among people you don't know. You can remain in Yellow for long periods, as long as you are able to "Watch your six." (In aviation 12 o'clock refers to the direction in front of the aircraft's nose. Six o'clock is the blind spot behind the pilot.) In Yellow, you are "taking in" surrounding information in a relaxed but alert manner, like a continuous 360 degree radar sweep. As Cooper put it, "I might have to shoot."

* Orange - Specific alert. Something is not quite right and has gotten your attention. Your radar has picked up a specific alert. You shift your primary focus to determine if there is a threat (but you do not drop your six). Your mindset shifts to "I may have to shoot HIM today," focusing on the specific target which has caused the escalation in alert status. In Condition Orange, you set a mental trigger: "If that goblin does 'x', I will need to stop him." Your pistol usually remains holstered in this state. Staying in Orange can be a bit of a mental strain, but you can stay in it for as long as you need to. If the threat proves to be nothing, you shift back to Condition Yellow.

* Red - Condition Red is fight. Your mental trigger (established back in Condition Orange) has been tripped. If "X" happens I will shoot that person.

The USMC also uses "Condition Black" as actively engaged in combat, as do some of Cooper's successors, but Cooper always felt this was an unnecessary step and not in keeping with the mindset definition of the color code since it is a state of action."

I appreciate the color codes simply for the ability to put a label on your level of alertness, To me however, the phrase "combat mindset" encompasses a whole lot more than what the color codes entail. Perhaps a "warrior's mindset" is more what I'm trying to get at.

The Marine Corps is a big gun club. It's full of competent, efficient, disgruntled and aggressive fighters. Marines are those that could have joined any other military branch, but chose the Marine Corps instead...and for a reason. It starts in recruit training where the words "attack" or "kill" become commonplace. You don't simply "go to the chow hall," you ATTACK it. "Kill" is used synonymously as an affirmative response, replacing the word "yes." On deployment, Marines yearn for, even physically ache for an opportunity to fight the enemy. Marines receive some of the world's finest and most difficult military training and itch to put it to good use. The average Joe would love to end the day without a fight...not so with Marines. It's a mentality that never really goes away.

The law enforcement community is a different animal. Some become police officers to serve their community. Some to aggressively pursue criminals and the thrill that goes with it. Some join for the uniform, gun, and fast cars. There's even those that became police officers because they think of it as a "stable government job" during an uncertain economy. Some are a combination of all of those things.

I go to work every day expecting to get in a fight for my life. I go to work every day expecting that at some point, someone will look to me alone to save a life. I carry far more tools, equipment, weapons, and ammunition than most of my partners. I'm just as prepared to respond to an active shooter as I am to respond to a traffic collision with injuries. Some call me Tackleberry, but I consider it a term of endearment!

My point is this: as a former Marine, I have high expectations of myself and those that I work with. I've worked with officers that are hesitant to jump into a fight. I've worked with officers that have admitted to me that they're not willing to die for this job. I've also worked with officers that don't believe it could happen to them. I'm not discounting these particular officers' desire to serve their communities, but quite simply this is unacceptable. All police officers want to help people, but if that's all you want to do, go be a counselor or a social worker. I don't want you responding to my daughter's school for an active shooter. I want a hard-charging officer who's going to aggressively eliminate the threat. 

The combat or warrior's mindset isn't applicable only to service members or first responders. It applies to anyone who carries concealed, or has a firearm for home defense. It applies to anyone that believes that some day they'll have to physically defend themselves, their family, or others. Where do you stand?

U.S. Government issue Combat Life Saver (CLS) Bag

My U.S. government issue Combat Life Saver (CLS) bag.

This bag is the older ALICE-era design, whereas the current issued bags are typically coyote brown and made out of 1000D Cordura. The fabric of this bag is much like the nylon material that ALICE rucks are manufactured with. It has some shine to it, and feeling thinner than ALICE ruck nylon, I feel like it would tear easily. When funds permit, I'd like to move the contents of this bag into a better bag. In the meantime, I will be spraying this bag with a water-proofing spray to at least attempt to add weather resistance.

The military's purpose for this bag is to address combat injuries on the battlefield. MY intent for this bag, is to be a part of my 3rd line, and be my rolling pharmacy. I have neither the training or expertise required to load this bag up with equipment for advanced trauma care. Like anything else, this bag is constantly a work in progress. Over the counter medications and various types of tape and bandages will be added to the bag. This bag currently resides in my truck for emergencies.

The contents of the bag are pretty straight forward. If you have a question about any of the items shown, shoot me a message or comment and I'll do my best to answer your questions.