Self Defense Training

           I have posted about building a prepper armory, and protecting your home and property, but now I am wanting to talk about self defense training. I think that it is very important to get basic training in, at least one martial art, this is so that we can be even better prepared for a SHTF scenario. Since we never really know what struggles we will face, the better trained and skilled we make ourselves the higher the chances of survival.
          My wife and I have both trained in a variety of martial arts styles, and I am sure have shocked our neighbors with our sparing and combat training that we do with one another in our yard. We train for the worst case scenario, because if we are a formidable force prepared for the worst case scenario, how much more formidable will we be in only mild SHTF scenarios? Also, think for a moment that if you had to engage an enemy that only had firearms with little to no training or a well trained unit of skilled combatants that also happen to be armed and trained in those weapon systems, which would you rather face?

         Some examples of the combat styles that my wife and I have trained in are:
Wing Chun
Jujitsu/Military Combatives
Karate
Ninjutsu
Kung Fu
Fencing

         We are also currently looking into Krav Maga, favoring the knife fighting experience that it offers.
          From the above list of styles that we have worked with, the ones that I would recommend most for a prepper/survivalist would be Wing Chun, Jujitsu, and Ninjutsu. I recommend these as they help make a well trained tactical specialist with a rounded education covering a variety of situations.

 Wing Chun- The great thing about this style is that it is very simple and effective. It does not require one to be in the peak of physical perfection, and within a short time you are proficient enough to be considered a formidable hand to hand combatant. It focuses on not allowing yourself to be taken to the ground and immobilizing your enemy. This also happens to be my wife's favorite style.

Jujitsu- Is the combat style that most branches of the U.S. armed forces have at least rudimentary training in. It has a focus on grappling, and combat once it has been forced to the ground. Even though we never want to let ourselves be taken to the ground in a fight, you do not want to be helpless if it ever happens.

Ninjutsu- The training you receive in this art form contains techniques used by armed forces and espionge agents around the world. It trains in stealth, and misdirection. These are skills that are not only used for combat, but can be used for scouting, hunting, hiding, and evasion. Become invisible and you can have a freedom of movement in a SHTF environment.

            These are not the only styles that offer you these training option, however they are the ones that I have personally experienced success with. And by all means, don't limit your training here, in my opinion you can never receive too much martial arts training.
             I would like to advise that when you study a martial arts style, try to get a friend to take it with you, as it is harder to fall out of the habit of attending classes and slack on your training if you are alone. If you have no friends who are interested, then make a work out friend from someone from your class to help keep each other motivated.
             And ladies, take classes too, some of the best martial artists that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and competing against have been female.

           To both men and women, just as the image at the top of this post says, don't be a victim. If someone trys to hurt you and/or your family then open the flood gates of pain against them!


Stay prepared, stay safe!

A Prepper's Armory

           Now this is a debatable topic among some preppers, as there are many that do not want to use lethal means of protection when planning their preps. I am of the opinion that in order to be best prepared to survive in a SHTF scenario we must be willing to take extreme measures in order to protect ourselves and our families. This includes training with firearms, and some form of hand to hand combat(which I will cover in a future post)
            So, in this post I want to go over a very basic armory system that each prepper should strive to build, especially with stricter firearm laws looming on the horizon. Your armory should really consist of a sidearm, hunting rifle, assault rifle, and a shotgun. Each of the weapons have their uses in a SHTF situation.

Sidearm-

            A sidearm, or handgun, is a valuable weapon for any prepper, as they are light, concealable providing an element of surprise, as well as possibly being a weapon of last resort. This is weapon for self defense, as you will not be hunting with one. They are ideal back up weapons.

Hunting Rifle-

           A hunting rifle is, as the name suggests, perfect for hunting, as they tend to have larger rounds than assault rifles, as well as being more accurate for the one shot one kill mentality. Having said that they are also great for doubling as sniper rifles. I would recommend that when shopping for one you get one that can be used to hunt both deer and elk, as well as invest in a scope, this provides you the option to have more options for hunting, as well as doubling for a long range scouting device.

         I am also going to include in the hunting rifles to also look into getting a pellet/BB gun. Although they are not usually seen as lethal for hunting, they are perfect for small game animals like doves, squirrels, and gofers. Also you can get thousands of rounds for very cheap, and they are air powered.

Assault Rifle-

           An assault rifle is ideal for combat and protection in a SHTF situation, that is why they are used by virtually every armed force in the world. They can can be loaded with several round magazines of varying sizes and reloading is relatively quick. The most common assault weapons that I have seen in the prepping forums and websites are the AK-47 and the AR-15. Both have their pros and cons, and it really comes down to a personal preference. The AR-15(picture above) is a civilian model of the rifle used by US troops.  Because of my time in the Army I am extremely familiar with this rifle and all of its parts, as such this is the rifle I have for myself. The primary strengths that the AR-15 has over the AK-47 is that it is much more accurate, and the ammo is usually cheaper and easier to find.

           The AK-47(picture below) fires a more powerful round and has fewer moving parts, so it makes a great suppression weapon, but as I said it is not as accurate as the AR-15.

Shotgun-

           Lastly, the shotgun is an excellent home defense weapon, and can also double for hunting flying game. If you have a shotgun and someone is trying to force entry into your house they are going to be very sorry when they see that they are looking down the barrel of a shotgun. This weapon is for close range, and hit with the force of a sludge hammer to the chest. Fun times.

          I would love to hear what weapon choices my readers like and why, as well as suggestions for what handgun and why I should try for myself, as my wife and I are in the market for new sidearms.

Stay prepared, stay alive!