The Short list of How and Why to Be a Commando

From having food to making friends, being a Commando is a little more than shooting good

In the second guide of my Commando series, I’ll be giving you the short list of essentials a Commando will need, and a little on why they are an overall benefit to one’s life. It goes without saying many among the more qualified have done guides, videos, host classes, infographics, etc. on specific topics and subtopics of everything I’m about to mention in much greater detail. The liberty community has seen a massive increase in skilled shooters, due in large part to the popularization of training and classes in marksmanship and tactics.

The next logical step is to popularize other subjects important in the tool belt of any self-sufficient person.

Why? There are many events that have already occurred within the last year in just the United States, let alone the last 30 around the world, that lend themselves to those who’ve prepared in such a way. In a time where we’re more connected than ever, it’s more common to be cut off from emergency services for hours, days, sometimes weeks. As the sources of our food, water, medicine, power, communications, and security centralize and globalize, they’re becoming increasingly unreliable. Disasters aside, just 911 outages are a problem that plagues various areas in the United States, often for 8 or more hours at a time. When 911 is working, anyone who’s spent time in a city knows the parts the cops won’t go unless they’re 4 cars deep. It’s only a matter of time until those poor people on the news cut off from help invite you to the club.

The bottom line is this: It’s not that no one is coming when things go horribly wrong, it’s that no one is coming right now.

The following are the framework of the self sufficient, Decentralized Commando. Don’t worry, I’ll be writing an in depth series on all of these topics from acquiring to maintaining these skills when the lights go dark. Remember, the only purpose to this is your own self sufficiency. Things are free falling right now, worrying about more than you and yours is a fruitless waste of anything you throw at it. Feel free to add and modify to your situation as you so need and wish, but the overall intent is having the capability to self sustain your efforts and needs as a Commando in an isolated situation.

1. Physical Fitness. A fat Commando is no Commando at all. You need to be strong enough, swift, and have the stamina to keep up with the demands that come with the gig. Not only will you look and feel better, but you’ll be ready for the physical challenges that lie ahead. The grueling training warfighters of old have gone through wasn’t to make their missions easy, it was to make them possible. This is a non-negotiable step. On the bright side, many have lost much more weight than you, or have gained much more muscle from less weight than you. Whatever shape you’re in, it’s a fine place to get in shape from.

2. Food/Water Security. Food and Water security are things we first-worlders don’t ponder daily, but rest assured many around the world still do. The obvious answer is to grow your own food and have your own well. The easiest answers I’ve seen many practice personally are small gardens and chicken coops. Unfortunately, some of you live in cities without access to either. First, I have to ask why (Joking, I get it. Hang in there.), Second, I suggest building relationships with those who can provide those in exchange for something. Fair-weather friends can promise the world, make sure you’re providing value to a person that can and will provide it back.

3. Electricity Security. Running through the night as a Commando is cool, stubbing your toe on the coffee table stumbling around your (involuntarily) dark house is not. Depending on where you live, wind, solar, thermal, and even hydro power are all cheap and possible replacements to swap out your power company. My old farm up north, consisting of frequently used power tools, heat lamps for cattle, were all powered by one windmill 20 ft. high and a battery bank, along with occasional thermal power. Just because the US can’t be energy independent and clean doesn’t mean you can’t be. Even if nothing happens, it’s a guaranteed lay with the environmental science majors (If you can hold your tongue and hide the guns).

4. Gear Continuity. How long can you go without a run to the store and still power your optics? Clean your guns? Stitch up worn clothes/sow back buttons? (Real ones know that feel when the top button on the BDU pants first popped off when you went to take a leak.) Consider rechargeable batteries, prism optics, learn to sow/stitch or know someone that does. Remember, making fun of the dude that knits will guarantee a rip in the crotch of your pants. Make sure your most of your gear is easily replaced or repaired, or find an alternative.

5. Make Friends. A Commando on his own can’t run forever. You have to sleep, eat, and rest at some point. Commandos don’t always have time to ensure even the things on this list, let alone any wants or creature comforts they want to bring along the ride. Whether they be of the Commando lifestyle such as yourself, or regular preppers, make friends in the know. Great places to find them are classes on any of these topics, strike up a conversation in the hardware store, go out to places of similar interests, meet people. Many people cannot accomplish everything on this list alone, but they can almost always figure it out together. Not only are connections important, the experiences are too. When you take the lead for yourself, you must accept you’ll have to take the lead for others as well. Your family, other riflemen, and most certainly the less prepared in your life will look to you for guidance and leadership, have that ability. It’s a skill that comes with confidence, practice, and time. Get started now, otherwise you will not rise to the occasion.

6. Intelligence Sources/Capabilities. I haven’t seen much of any coverage on this, but it’s vital for self sufficiency. From tools to locate radio signals, to a repository of GIS (Geographic information system) information and software, this is one of the most critical elements a Commando can rely on. Intelligence roles in Special Operations units are always in high demand. Everyone wants to make holes, but no one wants to tell anyone what the best place/time to do so would be. Intelligence has made and broken major strategic decisions in the public and private sector. You may not find a Hacker first try, but you can certainly learn the basics of intelligence collection and analysis. More on the most overlooked part of intelligence in a separate guide, coming up soon from yours truly!

7. Communications Continuity. Now that you’re an intelligence gathering Commando, what good is information you can’t disseminate? Those Baofeng radios are no good if things go to shit and you can’t remember which frequency your guys agreed upon. Establish, learn, and go over radio protocols in advance. Look into encrypted communications, both over radio and the internet, and otherwise make way for the communication to flow freely when operational cell towers are a distant memory.

8. Medical Independence. Turn medical dependence into independence wherever you can. A Commando is in tip top shape, often because he/she is cut off from access to the fragile steady access to prescription medication. There is a plethora of knowledge out there for herbal replacements/supplements that might be growing in the forest behind your house. Simple recipes out of plants that can be found/grown can quickly act to cure common ailments that would otherwise bog down the efficiency of a unit.

9. Entertainment. If intelligence is king, morale is queen. Morale alone has decided the fate of many groups and peoples throughout history. The Commandos among you and in yourself are still people, and people need to let loose every once in a while. Tobacco is easily grown in all 50 states, some liquors are easily fermented and made, a cheap board game can bring people together better than a good trade deal. Have a place to gather, have a big dinner, it’s a common place tradition that transcends across every ethnic and religious group in existence across time for a reason. We’re social creatures that like to get together, and we love a good party. We severely underestimate the over-stimulation we receive daily, be ready to go without that as well.

10. Purpose. The most important item for last. What sets a paid gun apart from a warrior is conviction. It’s been hard to find these days. When plans are constantly changed/ruined by forces outside of your control, variables switching so rapidly it seems planning is fruitless, anxiety and hesitation are at an all time high. Congratulations, you’re getting a taste of the hardest part, mental strength. Remember, you’re not worried about them, you’re worried about you. What you have to get done, you have the resources, knowledge, and will to accomplish. The real white pill is that as long as you’re breathing, there’s still opportunity to get it done. Your new purpose is to secure these things, and become a Commando. Simply put, you are among the few that have the information, interest, and will to be what’s needed. Whether you like it or not, we’re living through one of the most pivotal moments of human history. If you’re looking for a purpose, make it being the person who can make things better for your loved ones, rather than the many that can’t.

More guides coming soon, I’m glad to see the original article on this topic was well received. This is a topic I was hoping to write about regardless, but I’m happy it’s been popular with y’all. Stay safe, take care, and have fun getting all of this stuff together. I’ve personally taken great pleasure in learning and continuing to learn to do these things for myself, and I hope you guys do the same.