Category: Security

As a former rating specialist for the US Department of Veterans Affairs, I can tell you first hand that a claim for PTSD is one of the most complicated and time-consuming claims the VA handles. As a result — an unfortunate result — many veterans wait years for decisions on these claims. This article provides […]

Over the past 6 years or so, combative and realistic shooting techniques have adopted a new, exaggerated shooting stance/style.  I first saw this way of shooting while serving overseas and a couple of guys were using it during shooting drills before an op. The shooters who use this style of shooting claim that it reduces […]

John Preston comes from a family that values service to others, to their country, and to one another.  His father earned a purple heart as a United States Marine in Vietnam, before returning home to instill in his sons the value of working to benefit those around you – whether through military service or being […]

With America’s longest war winding down, at least from a personnel perspective, veterans are returning to civilian life, and as a result to their service, carry with them scars, both physical and mental. To cope, the Department of Veterans Affairs has been allocated nearly 200 billion dollars a year in an effort to ensure veterans are […]

I read a lot of comments.  Whenever one of my articles goes live, I do my best to hop in and read every comment beneath it when my schedule permits, and although it’s likely bad for my health, I often read the comments posted to Facebook as well.  The content we write about begs for […]

In a recent article I wrote about the 4 must have items in a medical kit. One of those items was the tourniquet. I’ve always had a tourniquet in my medical kits, but until I had some formal training I really understood the application of them. The medical training I recently had was part of […]

Drinking water and remaining hydrated is essential for the human body to survive. I remember during Marine Corps boot camp drinking upwards of 12 canteens of water each day depending on the training evolution. We would take water breaks and have to drink a canteen until it was empty, then hold it upside down over […]

Why in the movies do they always shoot guys in the middle of the forehead?  It has more to do with special effects and make up than physiology.  Caleb explains how TV and movies get it all wrong. If you need to take a headshot, it needs to be effective.  Learn from qualified and knowledgeable […]

Recently we talked about how to survive a violent attack. Often in these scenarios there will be people who have sustained significant injuries, left untreated these injuries could lead to death. As a member of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, our leaders made us practice treating casualties. Although I was an infantryman, I was expected to […]

The military loves acronyms: IFAK= Individual First Aid Kit Let’s get started with a couple of combat medicine axioms that form the basis of all combat medicine dogma. Combat Medicine Axiom #1  “Sometimes, the best medicine is fire superiority.” Combat Medicine Axiom #2  “Good medicine at the wrong time is bad medicine.” Since the Loadout […]

Former Army Ranger Mat Best recently released a video, “Reflection: I Choose Life.” This one is not the typical over the top funny skit or rap battle, it addresses the ups and downs most veterans go through. Check out the video below.

When putting together a disaster plan, it’s important to prioritize human needs in the way that you prepare.  To put together a solid short-term survival plan, you need only to address the most basic of human necessities: water, shelter, food, and security, but as short-term survival transitions into “well I guess this is what’s left […]