Re: 2012 TV BugOut Drill - Training, Gear, Etc
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: microsuck</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just mexi-carried my Glock 26 in a Comp-Tac IWB, same as I do every day. I dont walk around in a thigh rig very often, so I go with what I know works. Im the 2nd from the left with the multicam chest rig under my shirt.
Half the people go "Full-Tacticool" and open carry everything. The other half go "grey-man" and do their best to conceal their gear. Most my friends go grey. The idea is to not attract attention.
The entire BOD photo album is here.
http://s1091.photobucket.com/albums/i391/andrewquant/ </div></div>
Im the guy 2nd from the right, who would have liked his face blurred on a public forum. But since my buddy "under the bussed" me, I can own it.
I am running this again this year, my 4-5th year. I have prior military background and started this in cammie pants, issued boots, a military assault pack with 40+#, chest rig, full fighting load and rifle. In Texas, back when TJ ran this in July or August in 110 deg. Ugh - I learned quick.
Important stuff to consider in my post - I run everything the same as I have it in my trunk to allow me to walk home my 30 mile commute. I do not "game" this event but will operate using all the latitude the "rules" allow. I will add in a rifle or piece of gear to test and check.
I firmly believe that anyone who wears exposed weapons and ammo are asking to be shot in the face (I also work in a blue city and have to walk through 5 city's to get home.)so everything I run can be concealed, including my vest and plates, ect. I try to encompass grey man.
Bug out drill mindset
Mindset plays a huge part in this event. It took me several years to get in the correct zone. I now finish and work under the mindset of "cast or finish" The only way I am not finishing now is if they have to force ably remove me to give me med attention.
In addition to this mindset is actually having the physical ability to meet the mindset. I am not a thin fit guy by my own standards, but I start "training" for this event in early march. I have stopped training in November, a month after. I dont "prep" for the event, I try to maintain a fitness cycle I can keep up and live with. Its April and I am already rucking 12 miles non stop with the full load at just over 3.3mph. In May I will up the mileage to 15 nonstop with the full load. This year I will actually begin to train past 15 miles and push to closer to 20, as I am going to participate in the Bataan Death March in White Sands next March, and in years after that, spend a week or two a year on the Appalachian Trail... I run twice a week at a good cardio pace for 5 miles. Not fast, but steady and long. Takes me about an hour. The running has actually made a significant impact on my ability. I firmly believe that if you do not have the ability to be foot mobile for a significant period of time and still be effective, you are not prepared. I have access to 4 wheelers and all that cool guy stuff too, but its a force multiplier, not a needed item to move from A to B. Your mind and body are your greatest weapons.
Concealablity
I run everything hidden - I have a knife on my belt with a multi tool and thats all you see.
I ruck with a g19 with TRLs light in a raven holster with a wilderness belt. I have never had issues with rubbing once you get the pack adjusted. I can deploy the handgun quickly. The rifle is currently stored in the trunk and can be broken down and stowed in the pack. Last year (current pics) I carried an sbr to see if I wanted to switch to a 10in pistol. I do. I dont plan on engaging targets past 200 (at max) and only in specific situations - my plan is move fast and avoid conflict. I can get it out of the bag quickly. I carry several mags for rifle and pistol on the outside of the bag. The crappy shirt I wear is that baggy and a generic walmart dickies brand that manual laborers wear. I can wear a vest and plates underneath and a small chest rig if needed once home....
Clothes
Layers are important. I wear cotton outer shirt for texas summer. My base layers are under Armour to move moisture. I wear silk sock liners and socks. I actually experimented with socks for over a year until I found my combination and now have 7 sets of socks and liners.... Those pants are northface convertible and have been though 4 bugout drills and still have not failed. I wear merrells mid moab ventilators in gortex. I will be switching to a waterproof breathable trail runner next year. I find a hat and bandana combo to be best for me and will sometimes wear flight gloves to protect my hands and keep the blood flow restricted.
Gear
I run some close out bags from REI that DONT LOOK TACTICAL. Sure I have an ILBE in marpat and a gunslinger too, but my USMC Officer friend put is best after an insurgent discussion. "If I saw you wearing that and you were not identified as a cop or military, I would shoot you or detain you" .... And he LOVES freedom.
It is important to break a pack in and organize your gear. Proper adjustments are made with use, same goes for your boots.
As for what I carry, well, I wont give you an itemized list, but I have no problem showing you pictures from past bug out drills. I do carry redundant fire, water, cutting, rope, medical, navigation and illumination. If an item does not have the ability to be used for more than one thing (shy of water/food) then it does not make the cut. There are some people who carry as little as possible for this event and run with 20#-30#lbs. With rifle and mags I am consistently at 40# not including 4l of water.
Guns -
I carry a rifle and pistol with 3 mags each.
Think LONG AND HARD. Are you getting into a firefight unsupported and looking for trouble, or are you simply looking to move as far as possible as fast as possible or something in between? I dont want to have to be engaged in a gun fight, but plan for it... During this drill and in real life, I also have a crew along my way home and prefer to operate with a group to help each other. There are no rules against it, and when in a gun fight, bring all the friends with rifles you can...
Here are some pictures of my kit from past years.
some of the obsticals are rough and require some thought to master. The crux of this is how you think and preform when worn down and under duress.
Take my advice and lessons with a grain of salt, but remember that I have done this every year I have been able. I have constantly improved my standing, and begun to focus on group participation. I also carry my gear the whole 15 miles and dont drop pack and rifle for the 5 mile road run the last two years.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Based on my training and planning for this event, my expectation is to be able to complete this event, wake up the next day and do it again.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold">I was capable of that last year. </span>
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