The Frontiersman - Vol 4 - Dec 2023
Security Practices - AR15 The Best - Survival Shelter
Security Mindset and Practices for Everyday Routines
By: DJ The Metalhead Mercenary
While many readers here have a reasonable level of knowledge and varying levels of experience they can and do apply to their everyday lives, there’s always something else to add to the skillset and hone to improve and/ or maximize your safety and security-mindfulness when out and about. Here are a few things to take into consideration and apply:
Situational Awareness
All too often and especially nowadays, people are glued to their phones and have statistically increased absentminded mistakes that leave them open to crimes of opportunity and putting themselves into situations that are set up for failure. For example, when you are parked in your vehicle at your local Grocery Store Parking Lot, keep your doors locked and windows up if you are going to be staring at your phone—look up and scan the perimeter area of your vehicle periodically. When you get out of your vehicle, scan in a concentric layering process—look at your immediate perimeter, then look out around the next row/ ring of vehicles for any suspicious persons or vehicles that are moving slowly with any semblance of “casing” you or your vehicle. Then look at the next few rows/ rings out of vehicles in the lot. Lock your vehicle—do NOT leave your FOB in your vehicle either, that is an easy way for thieves to gain entry without any physical force or intrusion techniques, and keep all sensitive items stored or hidden away out of plain view.
Assessing Venues/ Sites
Whether it’s the Grocery Store, Gas Station, Restaurant, whatever, there are exercises you can do when going into an establishment to gauge your ability to control or otherwise take advantage of the design of the site/ venue. Of course looking for the exits and any secondary routes of egress (like to back employee areas) is important to look out for, but also looking at and trying to memorize the layout/ floorplan of the building is useful for your needs. Look for the Camera vantage angles, see where staff are staged. Look for “hard cover” in the building—where is the most likely places to provide adequate protection from any risks or threats (disasters, robbers, active shooters, etc.)? Secondarily, the “soft cover” areas, places that are less protective but do offer some degree as well as concealment and give you further advantages to assess a situation as it may unfold.
Assessing Home Security
With crime on the rise and criminals affecting and spreading further and further out into rural and smaller communities, unfortunately these days it’s not even safe to leave your doors unlocked out in the sticks. Yes, lock your doors and windows. You can reinforce your door and window frames with additional locks and long case-hardened screws every few inches to mitigate the ease of forceful entry with a kick—you can also get shatter-proof windows or film for windows, and kick plates for exterior doors. Also ensure all of our outdoor perimeter lighting is upgraded with brighter and more effective coverage units and bulbs. Consider installing adequate protective barriers to include rigid fencing (things like barbed or C-wire isn’t a terrible idea), and concrete planters in strategic locations. Home Security Systems with a variety of sensors and cameras are readily accessible and fairly cost-effective for most homeowners, and are worth the investment whether with a third-party service or a self-installation and operations setup. I’ll round this off with saying that of course being armed and training is extremely important both for your excursions out and about and at home for your security, but many people are not adequately enacting on this for whatever reasons. While this is foolhardy to many of us, it’s unfortunately just how things are in this day and age—all the more reason for you all to be a pillar of your communities and stand up for your families and those who cannot adequately protect themselves. Don’t set yourself up for failure. Fide et Fortitudine.
D.J. “The Metalhead Mercenary” is a US Army Veteran and Security Industry Specialist with 20 years of experience. He works globally and domestically as a Private Military Contractor, Executive Protection Specialist, and as a Consultant and Senior Advisor for several well-known Security Companies. He is also an Author and Graphic Designer. https://www.youtube.com/@DJTheMetalheadMercenary/featured
Why The AR15 Is The Best Choice For Preppers
The AR-15 is a popular choice for preppers because of its versatility, reliability, and accuracy. Some of the reasons why the AR-15 is the best choice for preppers are:
It is chambered in 5.56mm/.223 caliber, which is a common and widely available ammunition. This makes it easier to stockpile and scavenge ammo in a survival situation.
It is modular and customizable, allowing you to adapt it to your needs and preferences. You can change the barrel, stock, grip, trigger, sights, and accessories to suit your purpose.
It is lightweight and easy to carry, especially compared to other rifles. It also has low recoil, making it suitable for shooters of different sizes and skill levels.
It is effective for both self-defense and hunting. It can deliver accurate and lethal shots at ranges up to 500 yards, depending on the barrel length and ammo type. It can also be used to hunt medium-sized game, such as deer and hogs, with the right loads.
It is compatible with a variety of magazines, including high-capacity ones. This gives you more firepower and reduces the need to reload frequently. You can also use the same magazines for different AR-15s, making it easier to share ammo and guns with your survival team.
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How to Build a Debris Hut
A debris hut is a simple and effective shelter that can protect you from the elements in a survival situation. It requires no tools or cordage, and can be built with natural materials that you can find in the forest. A debris hut works by trapping your body heat inside a small space that is insulated by layers of leaves and other debris. Here are the steps to build a debris hut:
Step 1: Find a suitable location
The first step is to find a flat, dry, and level spot for your shelter. You also want to look for a place that has plenty of shelter building materials, such as dead branches, leaves, and grasses. Avoid areas that are exposed to strong winds, falling branches, flooding, or wildlife activity. You also want to be close to a water source and a firewood supply, but not too close that they affect your shelter’s temperature or safety.
Step 2: Gather the materials
The main materials you need for a debris hut are:
A long and sturdy ridgepole, which is the backbone of your shelter. It should be about a foot longer than your height, and thick enough to support the weight of the debris.
Two forked sticks, which will support the ridgepole at both ends. They should be about 3 feet tall, and have a Y-shaped fork at the top.
Many ribbing sticks, which will form the sides of your shelter. They should be about 2 to 3 inches thick, and long enough to reach from the ridgepole to the ground at an angle of about 45 degrees.
A large pile of debris, which will cover your shelter and provide insulation. You can use leaves, pine needles, grasses, moss, bark, or any other dry and fluffy material that you can find.
Step 3: Build the framework
The next step is to build the framework of your shelter. To do this, you need to:
Drive the forked sticks into the ground at both ends of your shelter site, about a shoulder-width apart. Make sure they are stable and secure.
Place the ridgepole on top of the forked sticks, resting on the forks. The ridgepole should be parallel to the ground, and slightly higher than your head when you sit up.
Lean the ribbing sticks against the ridgepole, forming a triangular shape. Start from the back of the shelter, and work your way to the front. Leave a small opening at the front for the entrance. Make sure the ribbing sticks are close together and interlock with each other.
Step 4: Add the insulation
The last step is to add the insulation to your shelter. To do this, you need to:
Pile the debris on top of the ribbing sticks, starting from the bottom and working your way up. Make sure to cover the entire shelter, leaving no gaps or holes. The layer of debris should be at least a foot thick, or more if the weather is cold.
Add more debris inside the shelter, creating a thick bed of leaves or grasses. This will insulate you from the ground and make your shelter more comfortable.
If you have a tarp, a poncho, or any other waterproof material, you can place it over the entrance of your shelter, creating a door. This will help to keep the warm air inside and the cold air outside.
Step 5: Enjoy your shelter
You have now completed your debris hut. To use it, you need to:
Crawl inside the shelter, and close the door behind you. You can use a stick or a rock to secure the door from the inside.
Curl up in a fetal position, and cover yourself with more debris or a blanket if you have one. This will help to conserve your body heat and prevent heat loss.
Sleep well and stay warm.