I can’t guess the percentage, but many survivalists have served in the military or currently are serving. Probably much higher than the veteran to non-veteran ratio. A few survival bloggers – including Ryan, Nutnfancy, and myself – are currently serving on active duty (them) or in the reserves (me). Many survivalist bloggers may not advertise their current status due to OPSEC concerns.
There are some excellent benefits to military service, and I don’t mean healthcare, education, or a steady income. Training (formal and OJT), types of professions, leadership development, and living overseas are a few. There is also the chance to pursue careers that are extremely difficult to get into otherwise, from combat arms or Special Forces, to intelligence, to technical disciplines. The military can change your life for the better, if you let it.
With such service in this era, however, there is also price to pay – you will deploy, perhaps multiple times, depending on which branch of service and job. Most of the time that’s what you want – you’ve trained for it, now it’s time to put it into action. Before OIF/OEF, service members had gone entire careers without much opportunity for mobilization.
Enter survivalism, and an awakening to the issues and potential TEOTWAWKI events lurking around the corner. Mobilization goes from being merely bittersweet – away from wife and kids, but doing fulfilling work – to something to dread; what will my wife and children do if TSHTF while I’m in Afghanistan for a year?
In my estimation we’re currently in a slow decline, which likely will trigger a total collapse at some unknown future time. Odds are my time to pay the piper will come sooner than later and I’ll be back in time, but one never knows. If you’re a survivalist considering the military or staying in the military, this is something you’ll need to weigh.
In response to an article about Bug out Bags (BoB) at Survival Blog, an elderly reader recently wrote in to say that carrying a properly stocked BoB was physically beyond what he and his wife could now do. Instead, they plan to use a garden cart, which can generally haul several hundred pounds, to carry their gear. As the reader notes, roads would be ideal, open level ground so-so, and most other types of terrain difficult or impossible.
I’ve also considered different types of carts for use in a bug out situation as a backup for when the BoV (and here) either breaks down or, more likely, can’t get past massive traffic jams. Then how to carry a massive BoB for potentially the next few weeks or even months?
Initially I’d planned on taking our run-of-the-mill Graco stroller, which could hold one or two children, depending on their size, and some gear. But the small wheels on most normal strollers would be near useless on anything but paved surfaces – impractical for a bug out situation. Then I considered some double strollers and finally double jogging strollers, some of which can also be used as bike trailers.
Advantages: Jogging strollers normally have bicycle type wheels/tires that roll extremely smoothly over paved or level surfaces, and very well over even somewhat rough terrain, if going slowly – much better than a garden cart. A double will carry up to two children and/or a combination of gear, and usually has some sort of weather protection. Most fold and are light relative to a garden cart, which is an advantage when having to cross fences and similar obstacles.
Disadvantages: The advertised weight limit for most double jogging strollers/bike trailers is 100 pounds. Modifications to the stroller/trailer might not allow for more weight since the limit may be due to how the wheels attach. The well rolling but light wheels will be more easily damaged that those of a garden cart (i.e. hitting rocks or holes). While there are some bargains, these strollers and trailers can be expensive.
I ended up getting something a couple of steps away from the top end, but still very high quality (doesn’t come cheap) that we’ve been happy with. Since getting a stroller/trailer combo, I’ve used my bike more in the past few weeks than the previous several years as the kids love riding in it!
It’s a good solution for us; the stroller/trailer will go with us, and should we need to leave our BoV for any reason, the stroller/trailer will carry our two children and some gear. This will allow us to move faster and over more diverse terrain, and reduce the amount we’ll need to carry on our backs.
In Thinking Through Bug Out Firearms, I suggested criteria for choosing weapons you might want to have if bugging out. My personal choice was for a carbine in 5.56mm or 7.62x39mm rather than a battle rifle. At the time I was leaning toward the (still) yet to be released to the public SIG516, and decided against the AK platform.
The SIG516, an improved AR clone, was featured in American Rifleman and was pretty impressive. I’m not a fan of gas-impingement systems and the SIG516 is a gas piston operated AR, so all the better. I’ve fired the M-16 and like the design well enough, but am not a dedicated fan. Reliability, accuracy, durability, and feel are all important to me, and let’s not forget price.
The AR of course has a well established reputation for reliability problems. Rabid AR fans will argue about the reliability issue, saying the weapon is reliable if properly cleaned, or if regularly lubricated. To me those are loser arguments; give me AK reliability with no caveats. From what I’ve read, the relatively dirty gas impingement ARs just cannot deliver that level of reliability, but cleaner gas piston operated systems like the SIG516 seem to be able to.
While waiting around for the SIG516 to come out (read someplace that might be December 2010, but might be later), I rediscovered the Ruger Mini-14. I say rediscovered since of course I’ve been aware of it for years, but never took it seriously due to its notorious accuracy problems and very expensive magazines (over $100 for a 30-round, at one time). It did have a tough-as-nails durability/AK-like reliability reputation (gas piston based on the M-14, bolt system based on the Garand), but why pay twice as much as an AK for the same accuracy?
But something changed around 2005-2006 – Ruger finally upgraded the pencil thin barrel and now has a thicker, tapered barrel that, by most accounts, has eliminated the accuracy problems. This improved the well known Ranch model, and a Tactical model with slightly shorter barrel and flash suppressor was added to the line-up. The newer models have serial numbers beginning with 580 and 581.
Nutnfancy has an excellent review where he puts up a Mini-14 Tactical against an AR-15 and an AK-74. The Mini-14 more than holds its own (first part in a series);
Having found the Mini-14 option right under my nose, I took a second look at another rifle I hadn’t paid much attention to, the Kel-Tec SU-16 series, specifically the SU-16C. This rifle is also in 5.56mm, but has a polymer frame, is gas-piston operated, an under-folding stock (can be fired in this configuration), and uses standard AR magazines.
This rifle has real appeal as a Bug out Bag (BoB) weapon that can fit right into the bag. Using AR magazines is a real bonus, since those magazines are plentiful and cheap. From all I’ve read, it’s very ergonomic and accurate. While it is gas piston operated, it hasn’t been around for long enough to judge overall relatively.
Again, Nutnfacny has an excellent review of the SU-16C (and, again, is a series, so watch them all);
If you do a few searches, you’ll find a lot of opinions out there about the Mini-14 and the SU-16C. Unfortunately, a lot of those opinions are grossly uninformed. Some are have never fired a Mini-14 or are completely unaware of the improved versions, but will still talk trash. Some will do the same about the SU-16C because it has a polymer frame and is so inexpensive (relatively).
In both cases they may be talked poorly about because they aren’t ARs. The AR is a fine weapon, but AR snobs have issues admitting any other rifle compares. You’ll have to sift through reviews and message threads to find input from those who’ve actually fired the weapons or who are judging fairly based on all information available.
As mentioned at the beginning of this post, I have a few criteria for judging between platforms, based on many hours of sifting through comments, reports, and reviews from those who’ve used one or more of these rifles;
Reliability: Mini-14 comes out on top, AR gas piston models next, and not enough information to rate the SU-16C yet.
Durability: Mini-14 again, followed by the AR. The SU-16C is polymer so probably won’t hold up as well over time.
Accuracy: More expensive ARs have the edge here, while the newer Mini-14s will be on par or better to the lower end ARs. The SU-16C likely is at least equal to the Mini-14 in this category (better than the older Minis though).
Price: The SU-16C can be had in the $550-600 range, the Mini-14 for $600-800, and AR gas piston operated models for $800+. ARs generally also require additional sights.
Feel/Style: This is completely subjective. I like them all, but prefer the “real rifle” feel of the Mini-14.
Magazines: AR magazines (aluminum) are cheaper and lighter, and go for $10 and up. On the other hand, Mini-14 magazines (steel) are heavier but stronger and go for $20 and up. Advantage AR.
Parts: AR hands down. There is a nascent Mini-14 parts/upgrade market, but the AR market is very well established.
Field Stripping: There are all reported to be easy, with the SU-16C perhaps to a slight disadvantage.
I think the SU-16C is a good choice, especially if you need or really want a rifle that will fit into a backpack or other small space. And for those most comfortable with the AR platform, no reason not to go that way.
But after going through all of this over the past several months, my group is planning standardizing on the Mini-14. We were going to wait on the $1,300 MSRP SIG516, but with the Mini-14s improved accuracy and decades proven relativity and durability – at half the price of the SIG516 – the decision practically made itself.
Tonight I finally wrote down the emergency get home plans I’ve discussed with my wife for some time, printed them out, and put together a Get Home Bag (GHB) for her (in this case, a simple backpack with plenty of room to spare). I don’t have a prepared GHB in my vehicle, since most of those items are already there, just spread out a bit. I’ll throw them in a bag and go.
Because we live in the DC Metro area, the chance of a terrorist attack is higher than most other places. The chance of a natural disaster is probably about the same as other places. And the traffic is hell regardless. We both work a bit over 10 miles from our home, though my wife has a very flexible schedule and works part-time. When she does work, a lady from our church watches our children – about three miles from our home.
As I work full-time, my plan is fairly simple; get to our designated meeting place. If my vehicle functions (i.e., it’s not an EMP attack or solar flares to same effect), and the roads are open, I’ll drive. Else, I hoof it and take any needed items from my office stash and vehicle. Mostly this includes a multi-tool, flashlight, water, granola bars, a hat, some rope, perhaps a few other odd-n-ends, and season appropriate clothing.
If I am without a vehicle, I can walk/jog the distance in a few hours and do not feel the need to create a mini BoB to do so, though that depends on the season somewhat, with more precautions taken in winter. Similar items for the wife’s GHB, with a few extras in the vehicle. Carrying firearms in vehicles is a no-go due to DC gun laws – you don’t want to forget to take a pistol out before going into DC, and have Murphy’s Law take effect.
Because the distance to home is about the same for both of us, but in most cases I can move faster, we have a set of plans on where to meet so we can retrieve our children and get home.
My wife may or may not be at home when the need to evacuate arises, so a set of if/then/else plans come into play for her (abbreviated):
If away from home… (assuming I know the start point)
Plan A – If vehicle starts and traffic is manageable:
Pick up children & go home
You might need to use different roads; listen to [local traffic/news radio station]
Call me if possible (cell networks might be overwhelmed with calls)
If you can safely fill up your gas tank after getting children, do so
If you get completely stuck in traffic, go to Plan B
Plan B – If stuck in traffic:
Drive as far as possible, lock up when leaving
Leave a note to me in your vehicle saying where you plan to go
Take the GHB, place other needed item from vehicle in the bag (flashlight, medical kit, etc.)
Go to Plan C
Plan C – If vehicle cannot be used, for any reason:
Walk to the sitter’s, I will meet you there
If you cannot go to the sitter’s, go to [friends house on the way] (I’ll stop there first)
If it is not safe for you to leave work, stay; I will come for you
If you must leave work and go someplace else; leave a note for me [place we know]
If away from home… (assuming I DO NOT know the start point)
Plan D – All other situations:
First priority is to get home any way possible
Use elements from other plans as needed
Call me if possible (cell networks might be overwhelmed with calls)
When at home…
Lock the house, close the blinds, do not open for strangers
Get out a pistol, load and holster it
Fill up our large and small water containers
Call me if possible (cell networks might be overwhelmed with calls)
Plug your cell phone in to charge
Turn the radio on to [local traffic/news radio]
This is pretty basic. It may seem silly to some to write it down, but I find that having a simple set of instructions reduces stress in an otherwise overwhelming situation.
These plans cover the scenarios we’re most likely to encounter in broad terms, yet have enough detail, I think. As I mentioned, we’ve discussed the plans in the past, but both of us having a printed copy of the plans will reduce confusion and mistakes.
I can’t guess the percentage, but many survivalists have served in the military or currently are serving. Probably much higher than the veteran to non-veteran ratio. A few survival bloggers – including Ryan, Nutnfancy, and myself – are currently serving on active duty (them) or in the reserves (me). Many survivalist bloggers may not advertise their current status due to OPSEC concerns. 
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