Book Review – On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society

Very rarely do I read a book that alters my understanding of human nature – On Killing is one of those books. The author of On Killing is LTC Dave Grossman (ret.), who is a psychologist and was an Army Ranger. While he has not killed, his professional and military training gave him insight and access into the questions of what it takes to learn to kill, and what it takes from us.

For anyone concerned about the potential collapse of our civilization, this is critical reading. Whether TEOTWAWKI occurs or not, you may one day face someone trying to kill you, your family, or others – how would you react? On Killing might help you think through that dilemma.

The main point of the book is that, contrary to popular perception, up until the Korean War (for American service members), most of those in combat – 80% or more, normally – did not ever fire their weapons in battle, even to protect themselves, due to what the Grossman show is an innate resistance to killing. Many of those firing likely were purposely not hitting their human targets. This phenomenon has been noted as far back as Alexander the Great and is cross-cultural. Much data is from the U.S. Civil War. Militaries have in the past, and more scientifically in recent decades, very successfully instituted training measures to remove this resistance to killing.

For those that do kill, Grossmans discusses the psychiatric casualties and how society helps (WWII) or hinders (Vietnam) killers in coming to terms morally with the stress of having overcome the instinctive (for almost all) revulsion to killing.

After WWII the U.S. military instituted changes to infantry training that increased desensitization and thus the shoot rate of solider to 50 % by the Korean War, and to 95% by Vietnam – something unprecedented in modern history. Something as simple as using silhouette and/or fall-down type targets rather than circular targets assisted in this by creating a more realistic situation:

In behavioral terms, the man shape popping up in the soldier’s field of fire is the ‘conditioned stimulus’, the immediate engaging of the target is the ‘target behavior’. ‘Positive reinforcement’ is given in the form of immediate feedback when the target drops if it is hit… these hits are then exchanged for marksmanship badges which have some form of privilege or reward association with them (praise, public recognition, three-day passes).

Also detailed were the different physical distances to a kill and how that factored in. These include maxim range (missile station, air crew, etc.), long range (sniper), mid-range (small arms, etc.), hang grenade range, close range, edged weapons range, hand-to-hand range, and finally, sexual range. As one might assume, physical distance reduces moral strain and vice versa.

Of note concerning killing with edged weapons is that most deaths from such throughout history were from cuts rather than penetrating thrusts, and almost no one is ever killed by bayonet. Humans seem to have a real aversion to killing by penetrating the body with an edged weapon, which explains why I cannot watch the scene in Saving Private Ryan where the German solider kills and American soldier by driving a knife slowly into his chest.

For most, killing over time is emotionally and even physically draining. However for a very small subset of the population, about 2% Grossman estimates, this is not true – they are natural born killers who do not suffer emotional fatigue over time. Grossman hypotheses that these individuals are a combination of those with superior coping abilities, and sociopaths. These soldiers tend to gravitate naturally to special forces type positions and are found in higher percentages there.

On Killing was published in 1995 so there are hundred of more detailed reviews available, and the book should be in many libraries. It is highly recommended as a sort of mental preparation for an innate trait many survivalists and preppers may not think about normally.

How Will You Live Post-TEOTWAWKI?

This post details why I believe a balanced approach to developing survival skills and assets is absolutely critical.

Probably most survivalists actively prepping have an idealized notion of how they will fare in a post-TEOTWAWKI environment. Primarily that their efforts will allow for relative safety and comfort for the prepper and companions, and maybe even giving to charity.

The flip side of that is not starving to death or dying from exposure, and not being murdered and/or raped, and so on. I prefer to look at it from the flip side because it keeps me focused. I dwell on it. Some might argue the possibility of a major societal collapse is too remote to worry about, but IMO it’s a low probability, high risk issue worth planning for.

Unfortunately the ideal of surviving comfortably will be shattered for a lot of folks if they focus too heavily on one area at the neglect of another. Looking at the survival spectrum, the zone to aim for is the center. In a sense the center of the survivals spectrum, like the political spectrum is a place of compromise, since a definite balance is there that for most requires a conscious effort to achieve.

Why do I say the center is so critical? If you focus on sustainability, or the left in this spectrum, you will not be prepared to defend yourself or others – you will be, relatively, defenseless. I see a lot of blogs focusing on ensuring food production and related skills are well developed, but no mention of defense or security issues. It’s possible some of those bloggers are squared away concerning security and don’t mention it, but it’s not very likely.

On the other hand, some focus almost exclusively on obtaining a an array of firearms and stockpiling ammunition, the right side of the spectrum, devoting vast amounts of time to studying military tactics, etc. Perhaps these survivalists believe they will be able to easily hunt or plant crops. But it is in fact more difficult than just putting some seeds in the ground, and my guess is that after TSHTF wild game will become very scarce in areas with even a modest population. And you can’t eat bullets. An example of under prepared preppers is the, “Brass Horde” – a very good read.

One potential, and perhaps likely, outcome is that those focusing on sustainability to the neglect of security have set themselves up to become prey (to both prepared survivalist and the “Golden Horde” of starving people), while those with weapons but not food production skills have steered themselves into the role of predator. It doesn’t have to be that way, however, since those with the firepower and knowledge to use it could arrange to become security for those with the food production skill set. Obviously that leaves puts those with firepower in the dominant position.

Of course some plan to be predators from the beginning and they are perhaps the most dangerous. For example, a reader of Survival Blog sent in his essay, which was basically on how he plans to loot his local area. James Rawles, editor of Survival Blog, apparently posted the letter to his site as an example of what we will face post-TEOTWAWKI.

Speaking of societal collapse, a co-worker once told me he has a weapon and ammunition, and so doesn’t need to do anything beyond that; his plan is to take what he needs if there is a collapse. I now make it a point to never discuss details of prepping with those I don’t trust deeply. On one hand it’s good to try to introduce the subject to some so that they may realize the potential for trouble and begin to prepare, but on the other it’s dangerous to give away that you may have food and weapons stockpiled. I recommend erring on the side of caution.

No preppers want to become prey and probably the vast majority don’t want to be forced to become predators. The answer is to balance your preparations and become a centrist survivalist.

The Survivalist Spectrum

If there is a societal collapse, I believe how we prepare now will have a profound impact on our options and chances for survival in the aftermath. This is my thinking-out-loud post trying to distill this idea.

Generally speaking, survivalists can be placed on something like the traditional political spectrum – let’s call it the survivalist spectrum – according to the types of preparations they tend to favor; sustainability on the far left and offensive/defensive firepower on the right. In the middle are moderates who balance their preparations. The two far ends may or may not equate to a survivalist’s views on the political spectrum, the comparison is mainly for illustrative purposes.

• The Left: Sustainability. The long-term or strategic aspect of food and/or energy resources. Primary focus on diverse food production, horticulture, stockpiling food (and learning to rotate/use those stockpiles), and general healthy living. Gardening skills, living frugally, and reorganizing living conditions to function without using more than one can produce.
• The Center. In the middle – the overlap – would be those who try to balance between the need to produce food, live a sustainable lifestyle (or be well prepared to do so), and acquire the weapons (and skill to use them) that will be of value in a collapse scenario.
• The Right: Firepower. The short and long-term aspect of tactical preparedness. Primary focus is on acquiring offensive and defensive skills and weapons – to include edged weapons, firearms, ammunition, and related gear – to ensure ones safety. Obtaining bug out gear and vehicles, learning patrol and reconnaissance tactics that will aid in retreat security.

This spectrum does not take into consideration preparations such of obtaining medical supplies and skills, communications equipment, physical fitness, etc. since, while also necessary, they generally aren’t mutually exclusive.

In the next day or two I’ll follow-up on how where one falls within this spectrum is likely to affect post-collapse options.

Siphoning Gas From Newer Vehicles

On the post, Bug out Vehicle (BoV) Outfitting, commenter slow crash noted that newer vehicles have screens to prevent gas from being siphoned. For some context, the comment was in response to my plan to potentially take the fuel from one vehicle to add to the other in a bug out situation.

With some never vehicles there is a block rather than a screen, and a smaller diamerter tube can pass through. I’d pass on the electirc drill, but this might work (note: due to language, not safe for work or kids):

Are Survivalists Merely Indulging in Escapism?

Sometimes it’s good to stop what you’re doing, step back, and do a reality check, at least I find that useful. When I have an issue or project to work through, I obsess on that task until it’s to a point where I’m satisfied.

A recent example is my bug out bag (BoB), which is critical to my backup survival plan. I spent literally hours a day for a few weeks researching and purchasing items for it, reorganizing it, etc., until it was just right. Probably could still use a few tweaks, but is now very functional.

The question here is, are those of us engaged in Survivalism, also known as preppers, just supplementing our mundane existence with the notion we’re doing something important, something that could save the our own life and our family?

Are we exaggerating the threat in order to justify this reality that most tend to be skeptical of our efforts, perhaps bringing up Y2K? What if Peak Oil is false and the Abiogenic petroleum origin theory (that oil is constantly being produced by inorganic means) is true? What if what appears to be financial meltdown for Western civilization is being dramatically overblown? Some may not even entertain these questions for fear of the answers.

Those that simply invest in AR-15 rifles, miscellaneous gadgetry, a 4×4 bug out vehicle (BoV), and a few boxes of MREs, but don’t invest time in learning skills, storing food, and preparing a retreat (if not already there) are in my estimation phony survivalists.

Admittedly some survivalists that have invested time into learning skills and stockpiling food still give the overall group a bad name (cultist militias, for example). In my initial searches on the topic of survivalism as escapism, I came upon some Neo-Nazi literature from the early 1980s! (here I should point out that that is absolutely not my flavor of survivalism – enough on that topic).

Let’s look at a definition of Survivalism:

Survivalism is a movement of individuals or groups (called survivalists) who are actively preparing for future possible disruptions in local, regional, national, or international social or political order. Survivalists often prepare for this anticipated disruption by having emergency medical training, stockpiling food and water, preparing for self-defense and self-sufficiency, and/or building structures that will help them to survive or “disappear” (e.g., a survival retreat or underground shelter). Anticipated disruptions include

1. Natural disaster clusters, and patterns of apocalyptic planetary crises or Earth changes, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, blizzards, and severe thunderstorms.
2. A disaster brought about by the activities of mankind: chemical spills, release of radioactive materials, nuclear or conventional war, or an oppressive government.
3. General collapse of society, resulting from the unavailability of electricity, fuel, food, and water.
4. Monetary disruption or economic collapse, stemming from monetary manipulation, hyperinflation, deflation, and/or worldwide economic depression.
5. A sudden pandemic spreading through the global population.
6. Widespread chaos, or some other unexplained apocalyptic event.

Reviewing such a description of survivalism does help bring things into perspective; I don’t think it is foolish to prepare for these things, on the contrary, it would be foolish not to. Items 1 and 2 above are probably most likely, while items 4, 5, and 6 all point to the ultimate goals of survivalists – being ready for #3 above – the end of he world as we know it, or TEOTWAKWI. But how likely are items 3-6?

When I look at these issues, it comes back to why I am a survivalist. I’m not sure if I can be objective anymore, but I try to be. How likely are these thing to occur, and if they do how should I be prepared? Some things I just am not worried about, such as a Red Dawn style invasion of the U.S. Some things cannot be prepared for realistically, such as a plague of The Stand proportions.

In the end, re-examining all the reasons I’m prepping, I believe they’re still valid. U.S. and European economies are simply unsustainable. The U.S. in particular is driving full speed towards an cliff, with out of control spending and seemingly no real concern for what the possible effects could be.

My life may be relatively mundane, but I still believe preparing for natural disaster and societal collapse is warranted.

Perhaps the better question to ask would be are non-survivalists in denial?

Bug out Vehicle (BoV) Outfitting

This post is a follow up to Thinking Through Bug Out Vehicles, and covers some of the items that should normally be kept in vehicles, as well as some recommendations for what to take when bugging out.

While some of what I suggest will be applicable to everyone, my writing is geared towards those in suburban and urban areas that need to relocate to someplace several hundred miles away.

As a recap from the preceding post, there are basically three “schools of thought” (PDF) in regard to BoV:

1. A pre-1980s, electromagnetic pulse (EMP)-proof truck or SUV – less electronics, more rugged, can stand the test of time
2. A late model SUV or truck – no evidence older vehicles are EMP-proof, newer vehicles get better mileage and are more comfortable
3. Whatever you have – not everyone can afford a BoV, so plan to go in the vehicle you have

My recommendation is a modern SUV or 4×4 truck, since they are more reliable, get better mileage, are safer, and are more comfortable. Also, if in an EMP attack scenario, having an older, functional vehicle in a suburban or urban area will make you a huge target, though such vehicles are preferable if you live at your retreat or only a short distance away. If you’re financially limited and don’t have an SUV or truck, these suggestion will still mostly apply.

Maintenance: Make sure you get the oil changed regularly, rotate the tires, replace various filters, have belts and hoses checked, top off the fluids, check tire air pressure, get your regularly scheduled maintenance, and so on. If in an urban/suburban environment or if you’re in a lot of stop-and-go traffic, I suggest you pay special attention to your breaks, as in my experience, they need replacement fairly frequently. These are the basic things to make sure your vehicle is running smoothly and will take you to your retreat, or at least away from the chaos of urban areas.

Fuel: Half a tank is the new empty – fill up when half your fuel is gone! If you have two vehicles, you’ll have at least a full (or nearly) between the two – but you’ll need to siphon the fuel, so have an appropriate tube or device to do so. Since this is geared towards a mid-to-long range bug out, you should also have several gas cans ready to go. How many do? Probably very few. I only have a few, not enough for the 1,300 mile trip I’ll need to take, but some is better than none. If possible, fill up often en route. Something I’m looking for are 20 gallon fuel drums; if I find some I’ll post a link.

Basic tools & spare parts: If you’re like me, and most people, you’re not going to be able to do any major repairs on your vehicle, so having a comprehensive toolbox probably isn’t required. But some basic tools should be carried at all time; pliers, a crescent wrench, a ratchet set, wire cutters, screw drivers, electrical tape, duct tape, jumper cables, etc. I also suggest you have spare fuses, bulbs, hoses, a spare tire (or two), belts, a tow rope or chain, and a hitch. Snow chains if you need them (you’ll know if you do). You probably won’t need these while bugging out, but you might and they’ll be useful later regardless. It’s really a minimal investment and priceless if you need them while escaping the urban/suburban landscape.

Extras for bugging out: Some items that you might need when rolling; a shovel, an ax and had saw for tree across the road (or a chainsaw), a winch (electric or hand operation – for getting yourself unstuck). A 12VCD air compressor, and perhaps a few cans of Fix-a-Flat. A hitch mount cargo carrier for whatever won’t fit in the main vehicle (put the nice-to-have items in the trailer, but not what you must have in-case you need to lose the trailer). If you’re leaving a vehicle behind, take the fuel and battery if possible. A tow bar for bringing extra vehicles, a trailer for extra cargo, and a utility or cargo trailer for bringing extra gear.

Modifications: Dual fuel tanks would be high on the list if they’ fit, a brush guard to protect headlights and grill, and a 2” hitch if you don’t already have one. Luggage racks are also nice since all sorts of items can be lashed to them. A vehicle mounted CB and power inverter (12VCD to 120VAC) would be nice additions.

These are the basic things to take care of, and I probably will add to this post over time as I think things through more thoroughly and reconsider.

Great Tips from Survival Blogs

There are several great tips from the various survival/prepper blogs I visit daily that I’d like to share here. If I can remember to keep at it, I’ll make this a weekly post.

• Bug out Bags (BoB): Survival Blog has a great post with tips on effectively carrying a heavy pack, with follow-up input from readers here and here. In a related post on what you really need in a BoB, the American Minuteman has a post, with some excellent advice in comments. Most recently, Total Survivalist Libertarian Rantfest posted on the utility of MOLLEE rucksacks.
• Insulin Post-TEOTWAWKI: Commenter Jack at The Survivalist Blog provided two links on producing insulin for when supplied run out. The first link is the story of a type-1 diabetic Jewish woman who made her own insulin during WWII, while the second link details the process for doing so (also see this). I haven’t had time to study these instructions, but it seems incredibly difficult – looks like it would help to have a background in lab work or chemistry, or recruit someone who does. Still, it has and can be done and is well worth for keeping in mind.
• Airguns: Finally, another post from Survival Blog on Airguns for Survival. I hadn’t seriously considered air guns, but Jock Elliot (author of the post) does a fair good job of convincing me that there could be very beneficial for both target practice and taking small game – and do both more quietly that a .22. Air guns aren’t cheap, but you can (probably) use them now for target practice in residential areas where discharging firearms is prohibited.

Review – Grundig G6 FM/AM/Aircraft/SW Radio

It’s a good idea to have a radio that is able to receive several bands (FM/AM/SW) as part of your emergency preparedness equipment. While we have some battery operated radios around the house, they take C or D cell batteries are aren’t suitable for the bug out bag (BoB) due to weight and size. So after doing a lot of research and reading many reviews, I recently purchased a Grundig G6 Aviator Buzz Aldrin Edition AM/FM, Aircraft band and Shortwave Radio, new for about $90 on eBay.

Besides being able to receive shortwave (SW), another real draw was the size (see the photo) and weight (only 7.3 oz) since it will be included in my BoB. Some other nice features are a long battery life, it uses AA batteries (everything in my BoB uses AA or AAA only), if using the included power cable it will actually charge rechargeable batteries, and the ability to receive single side band (SSB) transmissions.

This is the first radio I’ve owned that can pick up shortwave radio (1711-30000 KHz), and this one also receives the aircraft band (117-137 MHz). The aircraft band wasn’t something I was interested in, it was just included.

If you’re a novice to the SW bands as I am, learning to use this or any SW radio effectively will take some reading and some time fiddling with it. So far I’ve picked up a lot of Spanish stations, some Canadian, perhaps some in Europe, and one in Chinese but who knows where it’s actually being broadcast from. Five to 10 minutes a night has helped with figuring things out.

Many of the reviews I read talked about the G6s FM “sensitivity,” or being able to pick up many FM stations. I haven’t found this to be the case as I can’t pick up several stations I listed to while driving. The single side band (SSB) feature is supposed to allow listening in on HAM operators, but I haven’t had any luck with that yet.

But I’m not disappointed as it does what I want it to, and due to the incredibly slight size and weight. Probably I’ll need to purchase an external antenna at some point to pick up the wider range of stations.

The Grundig G6, or probably any radio in this class, is a good choice for daily use, emergencies, and the BoB. Good luck!

Why We Prepare

Because our civilization is very fragile, I worry about a major collapse. But most of the preparations I and other preppers make are also applicable to natural disasters and their aftermath.

Case in point – Chile. After the recent 8.8 magnitude earthquake, in which relatively few people were killed, lawlessness and looting are issues.

In the Chilean situation, like the recent snowstorms in D.C., my family and I could probably continue in relative comfort and security. Anything can happen. Having supplies – for yourself and others- on hand, or being prepared to evacuate with the proper supplies and equipment can mean the difference between keeping your family safe or not.