Overt vs Covert Gear in a SHTF Situation

[Outlander Systems]

On a curiosity...

How many of ya'll OC?

[Hedgelj]

On a curiosity...

How many of ya'll OC?

Rarely unless I am hunting/scouting or hiking in the woods (off trail). Occasionally when hiking on trail.

[TXBK]

In my mind's eye, in a SHTF situation, I would not want to make contact with other humans (period). Trust of anyone other than those in your group will probably be nonexistent. I think that it is more important to be equipted to operate or move at night when the vast majority of other people will be at a serious disadvantage, and to stay concealed in a defendable position during the day. A lot of us have equipment such as: Gen III NVG, Thermal Imaging Scopes/Monoculars, IR illuminators/sights, camo, plate carriers and mag pouches. There are many people that have NV and Thermal as well, but I have seen many examples and it is usually low quality Gen I which can actually be a disadvantage to them if they are attempting to assault someone who is better trained with better quality gear. By using night time to you advantage, you don't have to be as covert with the way that you carry your gear. I think it is vital to be covert in the way and time that you move.

Now, I am looking at moving and surviving in a rural enviroment, but even in an urban environment, people will not be your friends. There will be so much uncertainty in the way that others will respond to even seeing other people, that I wouldn't want to have the gear to survive and not have it at my disposal when I need it for fear of becoming a target. Think: Out of Sight, Out of Mind.

[daddyusmaximus]

On a curiosity...

How many of ya'll OC?

Depends on how I'm dressing that day. I normally CC. There are times when my I want to tuck my shirt in and look presentable, so I OC too. No real preference other than to avoid the stares, and make life a bit easier. I don't care about it a great deal, but I understand both arguments...

[Moose-Knuckle]

On a curiosity...

How many of ya'll OC?

Not legal here and a hot button topic for sure. Even if they pass the bill to OC, I still will not OC. IMHO it is pointless to draw attention to oneself for simple EDC when out and about. Now on my own private land then it's a non-issue.

[docsherm]

On a curiosity...

How many of ya'll OC?

I only OC when I am out on our land. I agree with Moose, no sense drawing attention to one's self.

[Pi3]

You mean like the recent death of the kid from Belgium I think it was that was level 57 of some sort of game and got vaporized by a hellfire first time out with ISIS and his kill/dead ratio was 0-1?

I think this is a satire website-see this example:
http://www.duffelblog.com/2015/02/br...d-by-al-qaeda/

[sevenhelmet]

Pretty sure his post was satirical too

[docsherm]

What kind of bad habits do you see from video games?

Most of it is from a psychology point of view. Without getting too far into the wears on this it has to do with people honestly thinking that they are prepared to go into battle because they have done some very basic military training and play games on line. It is basic stuff like looking at their weapon trying to figure out why they can't shoot.....their are out of ammo and pointing it "offscreen" doesn't work.

It all boils down to muscle memory. Real training can't be substituted for a game.

Now for those that train for real and do not take the games serious, that is a different story.

[jwfuhrman]

Since my ENTIRE family is within 1/2 mile of my house. Parents, Grandparents, Cousins. Our 2500 acre shared farm(40 acres is mine, 170 is the parents, rest is our cousins who actually owns the farm equipment) is what separates the majority of us. I will not be bugging out to anywhere. My main issue is getting the 10 miles from my place of employment (either my Shop or the Hospital I work for on EMS). Once there how I kit up depends on the situation and the scenario. Everything from a Tornado to Yellowstone Exploding to Aliens. I am set up to where my home, work, step-daughter’s school are all within a 10 miles of each other in a rural community where the biggest "major" city is 20 miles away of 100,000 and the biggest one in my county is 13,000.

I operate in four levels:

Permissive- I look at this as my everyday living situation.

Worn- Glock 19 (IWB holster) with 1 extra 15 round mag
Kershaw spring assisted folder

Go Bag- This goes in and out of my truck. (5.11 12hr RUSH bag)
3 extra Glock 17 mags
Basic Survival supplies
EMT-Basic First Responder gear
24hrs worth of food
3 16oz water bottles

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Semi Permissive- This is where the threat is elevated to a point that I take extra precautions need to be taken. I would take this as impending SHTF. As an example this is when a Tornado has hit or is about to hit. Everything is still concealable or easily put on in a hurry.

Worn- I dress a bit more “ready”, good durable clothes (Cargo pants of some sort and a long sleeve tactical style shirt, my Merrell Moab's, and gloves will be worn
Glock 19 IWB holster
Single Glock 17 mag pouch
Kershaw spring assisted folder
Coast Pen Light
Concealable body armor with Large Plates
Depending on the weather and how bad things are my Team Wendy Exfil helmet

Go Bag- same as above but with the addition of my 10.5in PDW with T1 (Faxon 10.5in Barrel, Troy PDW Stock), rifle stays in the vehicle but within easy reach.

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Non Permissive- This is where the S has already HTF and life is now a 2 way rifle range. I also use this kit for supply runs into town where I want to stay some what low key and not stand completely out but also at the same time want to be able to get in the fight quickly with more than a G19.

Worn – Same clothes as above
Lonewolf Glock 17 with APL in an OWB holster and 23rd mag
HSP D3 Leg Rig with 2 30rd mags and 1 23rd G17 mag
Kershaw spring assisted Folder
Coast Pen Light
Body armor is not my full size kit
Haley Strategic D3 Chest Rig- 4 30rd mags, 2 19rd G17 mags, GPS, AAC Ti-Rant 9s in the admin pouch, Motorola VHF (bought 4 of the old ones from the Sheriff Dept when they went to their new 800's)
Team Wendy Exfil – Peltors with Como set up

Go Bag – Is now a 5.11 24hr RUSH with several pouches on it. Same supplies as about just in greater supply, since I am a Basic EMT for my local service at this point I would assume that emergency services have fallen apart. I'd most likely raid the supply room at station for supplies in the truck and at home.

Rifle – It is now carried in the Open, NOT slung all the time but close at hand at all times and is my BCM 14.5 KMR with Leupold VX-6 Multigun CMR.

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Direct Action- I add this in as a worst case scenario. This is where S!@# is BAD and you are in the middle of it all of the time. I look at it as if you are moving from one area to another it is a running gun battle the entire way.

Worn – Cargo pants or Carhart Jeans, tactical shirt, body armor and D3 chest rig(setup as mentioned above).
D3 Leg Rig with 2 30rd Pmags and 1 Glock 17 23rd mags mags( factory mags with Arredondo Extended +5)
Lonewolf Timberwolf Glock 17 with RMR06 and 23rd mag
Team Wendy – Peltors with Como set up

Go Bag – Is now a 5.11 24hr RUSH with several pouches on it. Same supplies as earlier just in greater supply.

Rifle – It is now carried in the Open and is my BCM 14.5 KMR.