Protecting the Innocent

As a Jack or Jill, each member of this community has already decided for themselves how they are going to act in any dangerous or confrontational situation. The Jacks possess the training and the level-headedness to make choices that can protect lives—especially the life of an innocent bystander.

It was once proposed to me that any gun owner worth his barrel would never leave his home to protect his neighbor in an emergency. I’ve often wondered how true his statement would be.

The answer is most likely. The average gun owner, even one with a concealed carry permit, is only trained to protect themselves and their home. Running into another person’s home trying to save lives is not something just anyone would or should do. Even those trained often are overcome with fear or apathy toward the victims.

Emergency situations should all be assessed before jumping into action. There are five steps:

     NOTICE that there is an emergency. Taking note of the situation is a critical step one because large groups of people are less likely to see things around them. As an individual, you are responsible to look around and stay aware of your surroundings.

      

      DETERMINE that there is an emergency. Make sure for yourself that there is something going on that is beyond the range of normal interaction. What you may have noticed as odd initially may turn out to be benign.

      DECIDE how responsible you feel. If someone is choking and you know the Heimlich maneuver and you didn’t help that person, then you would feel guilty if you didn’t help out. Knowing how responsible you’ll feel will make it easy to determine if you will help. This is the difference between those who choose to help and those who walk by. Whether you can help or not—you may still feel like it is your responsibility to assist in a situation.

     

      CREATE a plan of action. Before you do anything to get involved determine what it is that you can do to help. This could be coordinating others or calming people who have information or skills you may need, or it can be calling the proper authorities. A plan of action is the best way to orderly contain an emergency situation.

     IMPLEMENTATION Put your plan into action. And take whatever action necessary to relieve the situation until responsibility can be handed over to the first responders.

Very often knowing what to do and having the courage to do it will make Jacks and Jills the most responsible people available. In the case of a home invasion or a dangerous situation you also have to consider how dangerous it will be for you. 

If lives cannot be saved by your intervention then putting your life at risk may not be worth it. It is up to every individual to ask themselves if they have the skills to help without putting another person’s life at stake.

The victims of crime or other life threatening situations are the innocent lives that can be saved but so are those in the vicinity who could be affected for good or for bad. In an emergency there may never be a call for help, but there will always be opportunities for one to do so. Helping, saving, and protecting the innocent is some of the most important training any Jack could undertake.

--Guest Author: Marissa Barnes

Master-At-Arms

Even as I write this it is hard to understand what happened. A few days ago Drew and I were planning to get together and go over some important items for Jack of All Spades and today I’m writing a memorial to one of my favorite people. Andrew Thomas Barnes, or Dexter as he was often known was my second youngest brother and as such he was a pest growing up. The kind of kid that was too young to tag along with his older brothers. We relentlessly picked on him and never thought twice.

Had I known then how great he was to have around I might have changed my tune.

Saturday, July 12th he was out riding his motorcycle when an SUV pulled out in front of him. There was nothing he could have done and he died instantly. I will miss him greatly.

Following his return as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Drew and I began to draw closer. He loved the outdoors and survival, as did I. He loved motorcycles, as did I. He loved his family, as did I. Most of all he loved genuine people and I love him for it. It was with him in mind that I developed the position of Master-At-Arms for Jack of All Spades. I wanted someone who saw things differently than most and who was loyal, honorable and dedicated to the mission we presented. He was all of that and more.

Drew had the ability to draw others in and present Jack of All Spades in a way that people could see the vision. Despite my best ability to make the mission the driving force behind membership with Jack of All Spades it was more often than not Drew’s magnetism that brought them in. People sought him out because he was a genuine person, a dear friend and everything I needed as a Master- At- Arms.

Even when we’d disagree and I felt like I might have to replace him I argued with myself that there was NO WAY I could because this was his position and I needed him at my right hand to help me with this.

He is and will forever be my right-hand man and I will miss him terribly. Until we meet again, Brother

Please use the comments section below to dedicate, share or leave a message regarding your favorite moment with him. I’d love to hear your stories. Also, there is a link on the front page if you would like to make a donation to his family. Thank you again for all your support.

Communication

       In any stressful situation communication can be the one thing that can pull you through. Whether you’re in a bad situation and need to bug out or you’ve walked into a confrontation with an unscheduled opponent, communication could be your safety net. Communication is important to anybody no matter their life situation. We use it daily at work and interacting with people around us. It is only through communication that ideas are passes, problems solved and lives saved. Training will help, initiative is great but nothing will get done if there isn’t some sort of initial communication.

       As a newly appointed Watch Commander in charge of a 35 man security team I learned quickly the importance of communication. I was not the typical, hard-nosed, TV-style commander you see running a police force. I was approachable and willing to go the extra mile for the men and women on my team. We worked relatively independent from my supervisors and for that reason alone I needed my guys to tell me what was going on.

       We rarely encountered incidents that required back-up but when they did I knew that I could have my dispatcher quickly call up the nearest team and they could report to the scene to help. We knew which team was closest because they checked in regularly. I knew which patrolmen were on a break or using the restrooms at any given time. All of this was due to our radios and the willingness of our team to communicate. When bad things happened, we were fast to respond. I’m proud to say that our response times and performance was better than the other teams and I would attribute it to the ability to communicate.

Standing Post, 2010

       It was a different situation when people didn’t communicate. There was a time where we had to take on a situation requiring a second set of patrolmen and a supervisor on the scene. I was already en route to the situation but my dispatcher was having trouble getting the nearest team on the radio. I sent my Patrol Supervisor to find them and we found another set of patrolmen to join me at the scene. Luckily the missing patrolmen were nearby their last check in point. We found out that one of the patrolmen had forgot to check his battery and it expired while his partner had mistakenly turned the volume down on his radio. We were able to fix the situation but it could have been bad for those two lone patrolmen waiting on back-up.

       Communication in any form is good but it’s also extremely important to communicate clearly. Our radio communications held strict to a set pattern making it easy to identify the person calling, the intended recipient and the purpose of the call. All of this occurred quickly and clearly. Following some of the confusion that occurred between various law enforcement and rescue crews during September 11^th, 2001 there was a push to halt the use of “10 Codes”. It was a previous system of radio communications, typically utilized by law enforcement to clearly communicate the intent of the call utilizing a code. The actual code was preceded by the number 10 leading to the term “10 codes”.

       Instead of utilizing a standard set of 10 codes set forth by some government branch the push was to use clear speech during radio communications. My opinion was that the 10 Code system was effective but it lacked the breadth required to make it efficient. All law enforcement and rescue crews should have merely adapted to the same system so that any branch, service or crew could listen in and know exactly what was being said. Despite my supervisors encouragement I refused to alter our radio process and continued utilizing the 10 Codes because they minimized radio chatter and the meaning was clear.

       Clarity of speech is important not only to the patrolman or fireman but to the average guy who walks into a bad situation. Misunderstandings can often be quickly and clearly discussed to remove any doubt of nefarious intent. I have avoided a number of fights in my lifetime due to a quick explanation why my opponent shouldn’t fight me. Usually it was a complete misunderstanding. I believe that whether you’re talking with your spouse or running for your life communication not only should be regular but clear and understandable.

       When things hit the fan you’ll want the sound assurance that you know how and when to communicate with your family. Communication often and clearly is the best way to avoid mistakes and escape from trouble when you can’t avoid them.

Winter is Coming

With fall rolling in at full force and winter soon on the horizon you can expect certain environmental changes to occur. The Most obvious changes are temperature drops, leaves falling and the usual rain and snow that accompanies the season. What most people don’t expect are the possibility of flooding, fire or wind, rain and thunder storms. Mother Nature never stops and so it’s good to remember that Preparation shouldn't stop either. Here are a few quick tips to get your winter preparation underway.

1. Food storage – This is something that really applies traditionally to winter time but is something to even think about throughout the year. Ensuring you have enough water and food to last you in case any of the public works fails is essential. The last thing you need is to be in a situation where you've become dependent on them to supply you what you need. We call this a “single point of failure” in the military and it’s a bad situation to be in. Having enough food and water for at least 72 hours is a must and enough for two weeks is ideal. Most public works issues are limited to under two weeks but it couldn't hurt to be more prepared.

2. Heating – Knowing how best to heat your home is essential. A significant chunk of money is spent annually on heating your home and there are a few tips out there that can help lower the cost. If you have a fireplace then having sufficient firewood is always important since this is very easy to find for free on sites like Craigslist.com. Look into high efficient portable heaters to place in the rooms you occupy most. There isn't a huge need to heat the whole house when you spent most of your time in only part of it. Look into homemade/DIY style heaters like my favorite “terracotta pot” heater (instructions for this can be found just by doing a web search). Also ensure that you have curtains that help hold in the heat. Check the attic to ensure you have proper and sufficient insulation. Renew your weather stripping around doors and windows if needed. Sealing up the house might take most of an afternoon but saves you on so many energy costs that makes it plenty worth it.

Terracotta Pot Heater

3. Contingency Planning – Most people think of the first two items but they forget that there are many other things they need plans for. Flooding and fire can occur frequently during fall as the seasons change and precautions should be taken. Have evacuation plans and thoughts of a secondary location if you need to leave for an extended period of time. Inventorying your valuables is one that most people forget. This is not only good in case of burglary but also for insurance purposes. Have a plan for every possible disaster. Most of these plans will look exactly the same but it’s good to consider them each individually.

4. Know your neighbors – I've found great value in knowing your neighbors and I encourage everyone to get to know theirs. There are some people that might live in areas where it’s a little frightening to become close to them. Each situation will be different but knowing who they are, what they do and their willingness level to assist you if you need it is paramount to a complete contingency plan. With a lot of people taking time off to travel during the holidays a good neighbor can help keep an eye on things while you’re gone.

5. Learn – Don’t be afraid to go out and do some research. I don’t believe that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. I think that there is so much that can be learned and so little time to learn it. YouTube.com has become one of my favorite sites to learn about new and innovative ways of taking care of home issues. There are thousands of quick fix and DIY videos on a wide range of topics. Go to the library and pick up some books about any survival and preparation topics.

Being prepared is the best way to have peace of mind over the things you can’t control. By expecting a wide range of possible occurrences you’re diminishing the potential danger to yourself and family. Please comment below about your own winter preparation preferences and what you plan to do this fall before the cold comes.

Cowardice Versus Preparation

Militant stand triumphant at the US Embassy in Benghazi, Libya

Nearly a year ago, on the anniversary of one of the most brutal attacks ever to take place on American soil we were once again the victims of premeditated violence in Benghazi, Libya. The attack left us with four dead Americans and plenty of questions. The four dead left us honorably in the service of a country that owes them more than most are willing to admit and they will go down in history as martyrs for the American way of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

                Only a few short weeks ago numerous credible threats arose in the Middle East from various terrorist organizations wanting to attack a number of embassies at the same time. Following the brutal attack in Libya the year before the State Department took appropriate action and directed the embassies to reassess their security situations and make the necessary adjustments even up to closing for a short period of time. Some merely adjusted patrols and gate details while others closed or limited traffic within their compounds but ultimately the attack didn’t happen and there was a temporary sigh of relief.

                Following the media announcement of the threat and the potential closures of embassies throughout the Middle East I was engaged in a heated debate online over whether or not the State Department’s actions following the threats could be considered cowardice. Not being one to immediately call Americans, whether they are or aren’t, cowards I jumped into the conversation to defend our honor. My antagonist claimed that the actions of the State Department were akin to running and hiding when we should be standing proudly and boldly against the threat. Although I share in his enthusiasm about Americans standing boldly against our enemies in the face of sure danger I believe there is a balance to it. One that shouldn’t be taken lightly. His jab that their actions were, “inviting the terrorists to come here [to America] and attack us” was one that embellished and inaccurate.

                I do not intend to debate about the causes of Benghazi or who was to blame for it since I have a stronger opinion about the situation than most. What I do intend to do is clearly explain why the State Department took the proper actions in the face of these credible threats and why they are not acting cowardly. The difference between cowardice and preparedness is nothing more than controlling your fear and understanding the threat. Embassies receive threats on a daily basis and luckily most of them are benign. These small pieces of American government operate daily in the face of possible annihilation knowing full well the dangers involved in being there. They don’t duck and run without good reason so I would like to explain the typical threat analysis process that most government agencies utilize and how you as a civilian can apply the same process.

                Most people call people that prepare for danger “paranoid” or “delusional” until that moment that their preparation pays off and they are temporarily redeemed. The biggest difference between an actual paranoid and a person who is properly prepared is the context of the threat. Paranoids will jump at anything and many of these people could easily be called cowards. A wise person on the other hand understands credible threats and incredible threats and how to properly prepare for them.

                Very few people expect bad things to happen to them on a daily basis. Driving to work, mowing the lawn, taking a morning job or any other regular event will often pass without any thought to the potential threats lurking around the corner. Most think of threats as foreign events outside their local environment. It’s a “out of mind, out of sight” mentality and although they might go their whole lives without an incident they will surely regret not preparing if something happens. The thing about daily routines is that each event contained in the routine requires a level of preparedness that is proportional to the likelihood of that threat occurring. Understanding threats, researching them, planning for them and then reassessing should be done regularly for anyone one no matter where they are or what they’re doing. This process will keep them safe and secure in the event of a danger.

            1.    IDENTIFY THE THREAT

Most daily routines require little preparedness because the likelihood of that threat is next to nothing. However, if there is a measureable level of danger then there are precautions that should be made. Each task should be given a general assessment of potential dangers by beginning with your own experiences. Driving a vehicle is something that most people can relate to and in almost every case either you or someone you know has been in a car collision. Have you or a friend experienced a flat tire, a car maintenance issue or maybe even something as simple as running out of gas? These items should be the first items on your list and then you can move onto items that you know can occur but have never experienced. Once you’ve collected a list of threats you start to put them in order of most likely to occur; throwing out the ones that are either impossible or just highly unlikely.

2.       RESEARCH THE THREAT

The threat list can then be either solidified or trimmed with proper research. Take the time to find out the statistics surrounding the threats. Look for roads, intersections and areas that are problematic or types of cars that exhibit regular maintenance problems. Identify manufacture’s recalls and potential weather obstacles to the kind of vehicle you drive. Knowing how your car works and how to do simple maintenance could be the difference between being stuck on the side of the road and getting home. There can never be too much research regarding the dangers around each of us. Of all the steps this is the one that will be most important because the more that is done the better you will understand and be able to prepare for them.

Research is also the first step to taking a real action towards protecting yourself. Upon buying our new house my wife and I did research on crime rates and punitive statistics in the area. We looked at recent and past amber alerts as well as identified flagged and potentially dangerous criminals living in the area. There are a number of places online that provide regular and up to date statistics. Many government agencies to include Homeland Security, FBI and CDC come out with annual national reports that cover a number of different items. For more specific regional issues you can contact local and state police as well as numerous websites dedicated to statistics.

3.       PLANNING FOR THE THREAT

Once the threat is identified and researched you can begin to plan a proper course of action. Knowing the dangerous roads, intersections and areas will give you the opportunity to either avoid them or be exceptionally aware when passing through them. Installing general use emergency equipment in your car such as fire extinguishers and first aid kits will prepare you for a number of potential vehicle dangers. Planning for flat tires, maintenance problems and similar issues keeps you and your vehicle rolling down the road.

4.       REASSESSING THE THREAT

Reassessing is actually a two part step and with any luck you will likely only ever have to perform the first part of it. Once you’ve identified, researched and planned it can’t just be ignored. Each threat has the potential to change and become a threat again. Statistics, safety ratings, vehicle recalls and other factors change on a regular basis requiring you have to revisit and readjust your plans as necessary. Vehicles age, gain miles and ultimately get worse with time making your daily commute more dangerous daily. Reassessing that threat regularly at you three, six month or annual car check-up will allow you to make alterations.

The second part of this step is usually following an event in which despite your proper planning you’ve ended up in a bad situation. Unfortunately that happen but the great thing is that no matter what happens you can use it as a learning experience. Gather as much data and experience from it as you can and apply it towards the next time so that you can be better prepared and maybe even prevent it from happening. I believe this step is the one step that is crucial to preventing repeat events. It is this very step that adds wisdom to the State Department’s decision following the more recent threats. They learned from Benghazi and despite the arguments they made the safe call based on previous experiences.

Identifying the threats, researching them, planning for them and reassessing regularly is the best way to keep yourself and your family safe from any threat. This process can be applied to nearly any potential danger and it is guaranteed to help. Remember that if you follow these steps you’re acting on credible threats and you are performing wisely. Cowardice are those that run and hide without thinking and paranoids are those that can’t control their fears. We are Jack of All Spades and we are prepared. 

Independence Day

Signing of the Declaration of Independence

       The citizens of the United States have unknowingly done themselves a disservice in calling one of our Nation’s greatest holidays by the date. As Independence Day approaches so many of us will be going to 4^th of July BBQs and parties, gathering fireworks and celebrating with family and it’s these pieces of the Independence Day holiday that really makes it exciting for me. I love the smell of BBQ and watching fireworks light up the night sky. It is something that is uniquely American and I’m proud to celebrate that tradition yearly.       

      With so many activities and events it’s tough to stop and remember what happened on July 4^th 1776, 237 years ago. Our founding fathers, after months of deliberation and struggle argued and debated over the proper course of action in response to the tyrannical actions of King George. Despite some thoughts of uncertainty and even some who wanted nothing to do with it the Declaration of Independence was signed giving us power and freedom from the hands of a tyrannical and oppressive government. We were free to dictate our own lives according to our own desires and not those of a king thousands of miles away. It is not just the 4th of July, it is our Independence Day.

       The great Battle of Gettysburg coincidentally occurred over the week of the 4^th of July in 1863. It took the lives of thousands of American soldiers and each side felt the weight of the loss. So much so that President Lincoln himself visited the site and offered one of his greatest speeches ever starting, “Fourscore and eighty years ago…” Annually the city of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania hosts the Civil War battle reenactment of Gettysburg. This year I have been so lucky as to be stationed a few hours away from the site of that battle and have bought tickets to observe the action.

Battle of Gettysburg

       With that great speech given by our greatest President present in my mind I humbly think of the actions of thousands of men who have preserved that freedom through their actions; even unto death. Many may believe the confederate soldiers have no place to be honored because they rebelled against their country and on the opposite side there are those who claim that the aggression of the North was too great not to act. Regardless of the initial reasons for the battles each side of the American Civil War viciously fought for their freedom.

       Each battle fought under the banner of this great nation has been for the purpose of freedom. Not every battle fought with our nation’s ensign was fought solely for the freedom of Americans. In some cases we have selflessly acted for the benefit of others. I’m not ignorant that there are often underlying political reasons behind these actions but the truth remains that we offer freedom to those around us if they but ask for it.

       The greatest gift that can be given is for a person to give up their life for another. Throughout the years and during the numerous battles and wars our soldiers, marines and sailors have given up their lives in defense of something greater than themselves. This Independence I intend to do more than just enjoy the smell of BBQ and watch the fireworks. As I sit and watch the reenactment of thousands of men giving their lives for our freedom I will be thinking of what kind of a nation we live in.

       For me it is a nation of heroes and not one full of people selfishly working towards them only. I see a community of brethren united together for a common purpose; the purpose of freedom. We might not see eye to eye on religion or politics but we can all agree that freedom is the greatest export of this country and one that we should hold dear to our hearts. God bless the United States and long live the American Dream!

Braveheart

Mel Gibson as William Wallace, 1995

       Despite what he might choose to do or say in his personal time, Mel Gibson produced and directed one of the greatest movies of the last three decades. Released in 1995, Braveheart took the world by storm and won the praise of millions. That success can be attributed to a lot of the hard work and dedication of the team support Gibson but I believe that its popularity is based firmly in the content of the story and the portrayal of one of the greatest revolutionaries ever to have lived. The real life of Sir William Wallace differed significantly from the Mel Gibson version but there can still be much to learn from the qualities of this fictional version.
       In Mel Gibson’s version of William Wallace he is overcome with grief over the loss of his wife and goes on a rampage through the town and with the help of friends storms the fort and kills the sheriff. This revolt ignites the already tenuous situation in Scotland regarding the English occupation and hundreds flock to Wallace to support him in his revolt against the English. Throughout the movie the Scots gain ground and even invade England until they are eventually betrayed by the Scottish nobles who are bought by Kind Edward Longshanks, the King of England. Wallace is then brutally and publically executed by the order of King Edward. Following his death, Robert the Bruce, Earl of Carrick takes up Wallace’s place and leads the Scots into battle for freedom.

Sir William Wallace

       The original catalyst to his cause might have been the death of his wife but the sustaining power was brought on the desire to be free. Wallace states in the movie that he just wants to have a farm, marry and have children. There is no desire for vengeance or a thirst for blood rather the entire motivation is to live his life as he dictates and not as a king would. Wallace struggled with the Scottish nobles to see that uniting under the flag of Scotland was more important than who was king of Scotland. That obtaining liberty for a free Scotland was much more important than anything.
       Braveheart clearly gives three examples of the kind of people and their responses to life threatening stimuli. The first is William Wallace who strikes back and doesn’t allow the stimuli control him. The second example is Robert the Bruce who doesn’t enjoy being controlled by the stimuli but lacks the courage to do anything. The last example is everyone else who is either too unaware to realize that they’re being affected or that they are too afraid to do anything about it.
       Wallace stood when no one else did and in truth he stood regardless of what others were doing. He knew there was a problem and there was action to take and he took it. He didn’t wait for someone else to take charge. He didn’t wait for it to get any worse. In this he displays the kind of courage that we seek for in Everyday Jacks. Years ago I heard two phrases that have stuck with me and have become part of my repertoire of phrases. The first was, “If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything” by Malcom X and the second was, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing” attributed to Edmund Burke. Each of these phrases has found their way into my heart in a way that echoes truth. Mel Gibson’s Wallace was the exemplar to these principles and even though his rebellion might have started out as revenge for his wife he eventually turned it into the desire for freedom.
       I believe that a good portion of people fall in to the second category.  Men like Robert the Bruce are those that either know they should do something and don’t or they give up doing something in lieu of what they feel society wants them to do. Many of these might be in dead end jobs because that’s what they were supposed to do and not because of any actual choice of their own. These men and woman might even be living their dreams by working where they work or doing what they do but when it comes to intervening into things beyond their comfort zone the second guess or hesitate to do anything. Most people know what it right and what should be done in any give situation but it’s the real heroes that act on those impulses; Robert the Bruce didn’t.

       The last category is the “sheep” category. These are those that are content to live their life oblivious to the events surrounding them. They might see an issue that could use their attention and yet they’ve developed the mantra of, “it’s not my problem” rather than investing interest in the lives of those around them. It is difficult for these people to change and most of that has to do with fear. They’re afraid that if they step out to help someone that it will be bad for them and that they will only attract more attention to themselves.

        As I watched this movie again most recently I thought about what it would take for me to stand up and act in the way that Wallace did. Would I need to lose my wife before I responded to the tyranny? Would I need to lose lands, property or my freedom before I acted? Most people require a catalyst to encourage them into action and on a number of occasions I’ve found myself in the same situation. I see what needs to be done and I just can’t find a way to ignite that movement.
        Rarely are we placed in a situation that needs a nationwide revolution but there are little revolutions that are needed daily. Situations arise regularly around us that need our attention. Stepping up to defend the old lady being bullied by some teenagers or maybe stepping in to make sure a woman is ok when her boyfriend gets a little rough. I’ve been present for more than one of these kinds of events and every time they ended better than I had planned. That’s not to say that it couldn’t go wrong someday but my idea is that even if 9 out of 10 times it ends well then I’m still doing good 9 out of 10 times.
        Find the catalyst to spur you to action. Everyone is different and we all need different things to get us moving but find out what it is and put it to use. We need more men and women willing to stand up and take action and less falling for everything. If we had even a handful more men and women like Wallace we’d be better off in any situation we could be handed.

Who is a First Responder?

Michael Adebolajo after brutally murdering Lee Rigby

       There was so much running through my mind as I watched the events of the tragedy in London a few months ago. The neighborhood known as Woolwich was cursed with an unwonted knife attack in broad daylight. Although this event took place a while ago and most people have forgotten what took place it still burns me to think about this incident. I want to take a moment to focus on the question, “where were the first responders?” There is little doubt in my mind that the actions of Adebolajo were so spontaneous and quick that even if someone had wanted to interrupt his vicious attack on the Soldier Lee Rigby that there really wouldn’t have been much time. It’s one of those events that unfortunately seal the fate of the victim and the most that can be done is prevent others from becoming victims. These unplanned, unscheduled sorts of things are the reason that we as Jack of All Spades exist. We might not have been able to stop this from happening but we could have helped contain the situation better than it had been.
       The one person to stand up and take action was a Cub Scout leader, Ingrid Loyau-Kennett who jumped off the bus to help Lee Rigby believing that he was merely the victim of a car accident rather than a brutal attack. Upon learning that Lee had already died she confronted Adebolajo on why he had attacked the Soldier. She stated, “When I went up, there was this black guy with a revolver and a kitchen knife. He had what looked like butcher’s tools, and he had a little axe, to cut the bones, and two large knives, and he said, ‘Move off the body,’…So I thought, ‘OK, I don’t know what is going on here,’ and he was covered with blood. I thought I had better start talking to him before he starts attacking somebody else.”

Ingrid Loyau-Kennett confronting Adebolajo after he killed Rigby

       She realized that if she didn’t act that he might start attacking someone else. Whether she realizes it or not she is a Jill of All Spades and we’re extremely proud of her actions. These are the people that take action to prepare and prevent; these are the people we need desperately in society.
       I ache for the family of Lee Rigby who died so ignominiously. He will be remembered for the dedicated service he offered his country and in the testimonies of his friends and family.
       The scariest thing about this event and some of the more recent events are their “lone wolf” nature. They acted without a group or organization. They listened to leaders of terrorist groups spouting evil rhetoric and fiendish propagandas and acted of their own volition, never having actually joined those groups. People are becoming fed up of different ideological or social issues and acting out according to their belief systems on the subject. The more people get fed up the more you’ll see these events taking place regularly and without remorse. Guard yourself and your families because whether it is large attacks like the Boston Bombings or pinpointed assaults like the Woolwich knife attack you must be ready. These events are not going to go away anytime soon.
        This is not a message meant to make you afraid of going outside or even to inspire bold action against these groups or individuals but the truth is that these events are occurring. President George Washington once said, “Preparing for war is the most effectual way to preserve peace.” And it is that message, that mentality that we’re trying to encourage. Planning, preparing and protecting your family are not paranoid knee-jerk reactions to conspiracy theories or political movements; it is exactly as Washington said we’re “preserving peace”. The greatest product of proper preparation is peace of mind and in turn peace in your life.
       Jack of All Spades must unite and strengthen one another so that when we’re faced with the decision to act it is not a matter of “should I?” it’s a matter of “where to start?” Prepare yourself to be a first responder and act. There’s no reason why someone on that street in Woolwich couldn’t have approached that man and done more than sit at watch him walk around with blood on his hands. The first responder is not the first person in a uniform to arrive.
       Without fail the media covering any large incident will mention how long it took for the first responders to arrive. These men and women work tirelessly to protect and service and in the process save hundreds of lives on a regular basis. Around the world hundreds of thousands of law enforcement work publicly and sometimes even unnoticed to make their communities safe havens. However, their work load is often so large that they are unable to react in a timely manner. During holidays and other important events they are often working on overtime and busier than any other day. If an incident occurs they might not even be able to respond to the call for another 15 minutes. Those 15 minutes could change the lives of the people at the scene of the incident.

Carlos Arredondo (cowboy hat) helping at the Boston Marathon

       So I ask, who a first responder? Is it the fire or police officers that respond 5, 10, and 20 minutes after the incident occurs or is it the people who are present at the genesis of the incident? I believe that the gap of time that exists between genesis and the arrival of uniformed response is crucial to containing the situation and that it is the people that jump into action who are the real first responders. In the Boston Bombing case the people went into action. I watched as one person after another ran towards the smoke that morning to lend a hand. Many people helped out without knowing what was really going on. They didn’t know if there was another bomb or if there were dangerous men; they just knew people were injured.
       The best defense is one that runs for 24 hours and when police, fire and EMT services are readily present then it is up to you to fill those gaps. Are you ready? Can you patch a wound and stop the bleeding? What could you do in these situations? The first thing I think of after watching these events unfold is “What would I do?” and I begin to make plans. I write them through, come up with all the possible outcomes and my response. I even come up with decisions leading up to it and how I would have been better prepared. By thinking of and planning for these decisions I am actively making myself a better first responder. I try to read and learn as much as possible so that those tools are in my back pocket when evil strikes.
       Would you have jumped off your bus to help the Soldier Lee Rigby? Would to have confronted the disturbed man? I encourage everyone to take stock of what they would do and develop those decisions. If you are unable to confront him then work on that fear. If you are merely unable to patch wounds and stop bleeding then read up on the subject. Learn the skills necessary to be a first responder and not just a first observer.

Talents

Talents are things that you either are blessed with and develop or work hard to obtain but in either case they are inexplicably the greatest treasure you can have. It’s something that you carry with you and that makes you an individual. Each talent changes who you are in way that identifies you as “You” and not just another part of the herd. The most memorable people I’ve ever know have been those who have most clearly displayed their talents. Some have been musically inclined or had the ability to captivate a room with their stories. These are the kinds of people I love to surround myself with and they are the ones who enrich my life in ways that make me a better person.

Surrounding yourself with people that are talented is a way to ensure that you never reach that level of ennui that comes from the average routine of life. By actively sharing their talents they inspire the human mind to do something more than to sit back in watch. I’ve seen so many people do great things because someone inspired them with their talent. Many of these talents may not even be recognized as a clearly defined talent. Some are more passive than others but each is uniquely able to make like better.

It is natural to humanity to define within ourselves our greatest faults or flaws but by doing this we often miss the most important talents that hid silently behind them. Simply focusing on a flaw can not only prevent detection of a talent that might fix the flaw but it could consume you in ways that prevent you from properly living your life. Some people are naturally talented athletes and it’s easy to point out that you’re not Michael Jordan or Kobi Bryant but the truth is that maybe you’re better than them at composing music or writing a book. Despite the focus on what is a celebrity and what is not this social stigma should be understood within context; each talent is just as important as the next. No talent should be an embarrassment to the individual, to be practiced in secret and hidden from the world. The ability to do something and do it well should be displayed. Remember that talents aren’t even something tangible or quantifiable. Each one holds its own weight of importance to the bearer and it is really only what they make of it that matters.

Michael Jordan doing what he does best...flying.

No talent should be thrown in the face of those unable to perform to you level. Each person, different and unique can fill the gaps in the endless quilt of humanity. Where one lacks the ability another can fill his place and in this great weave of gifts we can accomplish anything. I don’t mean to get all peace loving and “free love” on you but the truth remains that these talents are important and I feel strongly that anyone, whether an Everyday Jack or just an average person, should actively work to bettering their talents because it will improve their communities, their friends and their families.

The reason Jack of All Spades was chosen is not because it was a catchy title or even a good one to market. In truth it’s not because it fits well with my business strategy or my plan. I chose to name this organization Jack of All Spades because it is what we aspire to be; a Jack of All Trades. With each talent we master we become better but if we begin to try and be better at more than what we are naturally talented we will succeed in ways never thought possible. That drive to be more than what you were yesterday or even today is what will propel you into situations you never thought possible.

Jack of All Spades strive diligently to hone their skills in all aspects of life so that we can claim to not be a Jack of All Trades in name only but in action. Whether it’s personal protection, wilderness survival or even just public speaking the more we prepare, practice and act on these talents and skills we are becoming masters of our domain. I have heard excuses for years why someone can or can’t do something and I wonder what could be achieved if they stopped complaining and acted on what they wanted. I honestly believe that people in poverty and bad situations continue there not because they are trapped and there are no options but because they don’t take control of their talents, their abilities and get themselves out.

I know it’s tough to see the dream as achievable. There are so many obstacles in your way but by developing those skills and talents you’re removing those obstacles or shrinking them to a manageable size. Don’t let anything stand in your way of achieving greatness. If the world is your oyster then why are you busy complaining about the smell when you should be looking for the pearl?

What Does "Preparedness" Mean? - Escape Plans

     There are too many reasons why everyone needs escape plans and emergency response plans. With events natural disasters destroying homes and the land we love on a regular basis it is only logical that you should be ready for them. Pretending they don’t exist is stupid but so is not planning for them. Whether it is simply escaping your house during a fire or running for your life in tornado alley there is no reason not to have a plan. I’d like to go over a few different plans that I have in effect and how my family would escape if we needed too. Understand that each family will need different plans in place depending on where they live. Earthquakes may not be common where you live and so planning for those might not be top priority. What I would recommend however is that you still plan for the less likely events regardless but cater them to be specific to your family and what works for you. 

     FIRE - According to the US Fire Administration (USFA), there has been an annual estimated average of “2,495 civilian fire fatalities [resulting] from 360,900 residential building fires. Of the total residential building fires, 1,600 of them resulted in fatalities. The overall fatality rate was nearly six civilian fatalities per 1,000 residential fires.” That means there is always a chance of this happening no matter where you are. It might be something you’re very aware of and maybe even something that you practiced in elementary school when the Fire Marshall visited your school but it most likely is something that needs revising. Is this a plan that you’ve actually practiced with your family? Is it one that accounts for new additions to the family whether children or pets? Each house is different and some might require ladders and alternative exits. My apartment complex had one exit that we could walk out of if there were fire. We need a rope/chain ladder to escape if someone else’s apartment was on fire. I have a dog which makes getting him out more difficult if we have to exit via the ladder. These sorts of specific plans will get you out if you plan and practice them. I recommend at least doing it once a year, especially if you have children. 

     Remember that fire prevention is just as important as planning your escape. Keeping matches and other firestarting items in safe and properly stored locations could spare you these problems. Turning off unnecessary electronics when not in use and keeping an eye on gas and heating appliances will also assist you. 

     EARTHQUAKES/TORNADOES – I group these together because they arrive with little warning. Tornadoes can arrive with more warning then an earthquake but they are still very unpredictable. I’ve only been through three minor earthquakes and I’ve been extremely lucky to have never been through a tornado. These events are the hardest to plan for but what is necessary in planning for these events is how to deal with it as it happens and what to do following the event. Earthquakes and for the most part are a roller coaster ride that you can’t do anything about except ride it out. The concern following the event is where your loved ones are and are they safe? Having a meeting place is necessary when cellphones and even landlines are down. Plan beforehand two safe locations so that if one of those is destroyed or unreachable there is a second that can be used. Know the means of transportation following these events. Roads might be broken or littered with debris and driving to where you’re going could be dangerous. Know the best way to get to where you need to go without the convenience of your usual mode of transportation. 

     HURRICANES/FLOODS – These events normally happen hand in hand and although you might have a flood without a hurricane you almost always have flooding with a hurricane. These events usually allow for some measure of preparation if you are paying attention to your local and national weather services. They might not always get things right but they almost always overcast worse than it really is going to be. Use this as an indication of what is to come and prepare accordingly. Do you have window coverings to prevent broken glass? Ways to store your cars to protect them from flying debris? Do you have proper supplies to ride out the event well in advance of the rush that occurs prior? Many people wait till the last minute to gather candles, matches, water and food stores and if you are caught in this rush you end up with barely anything and a headache from the struggle. Preparation prior to these events will give you peace of mind and safe you an unnecessary trip to the store when you could be preparing your home. When the flooding arrives do you have a way to prevent it? Do you have a way to get sandbags or create a miniature levy around your home? 

Flooding in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina

     The hardest thing for many people in these situations is to leave. Katrina did not catch anybody off guard but it did catch people who just stayed. Many people said they had nowhere else to go. I do not wish to be insensitive to the struggles of these poor people who lost so much but my question is, why stay when your life is at risk? Weighing whether you should white-knuckle the storm or leave can be the hardest decision but if the storm is large enough, and you’ve prepared your home to the best of your ability then it might be best to just get up and leave. If you can’t go to family or friends then plan to meet at a hotel or motel somewhere out of the area. If you are low on funds and can’t do that then take a tent and find a nice spot off the side of the road. There are always options. Don’t risk your life for your home because your life and the life of your family are so much more precious than your home. 

     SNOW – Most people don’t think of this one because most people live in areas where the snow is manageable. If you live in Colorado, or New York or Minnesota the chances of getting snowed in are even worse. Are you prepared with a sufficient amount of food storage? That must include water, dry stores, a cooking stove, matches, candles and if you can afford it a small generator with some fuel. Be ready to stay a while because with these events you can never know. Lastly, be prepared for the possibility of financial repercussions. Unlike most, I get paid whether I’m at work or not because I’m military but many people work on an hourly basis and if the snow prevents you from working you’ve lost more than just some of your food storage. Having a savings both digital and as cash in hand is extremely when these sorts of events occur. 

     KIDNAPPING – Most people wouldn’t group this in with natural disasters but I believe that having a plan for this possibility is just as important as planning for a house fire. Children are targeted more and more and the pedophiles are becoming bolder. Preparing your children against attack and kidnapping is essential. Rather than speak much more on this I would refer you to a previous article titled “Protecting Your Family”. 

     TERRORISM – This one is similar to the earthquakes and tornadoes because there is little prediction. Law enforcement and intelligence services work tirelessly to prevent these but as we saw in the case of the 2013 Boston Bombing it still wasn’t enough. We can never fully prepare for these but I believe that the best way to deal with them is much like an earthquake. You need to have the same plan in effect but you need an extra step that doesn’t always accompany earthquakes or tornadoes and that is emotion and mental healing. I don’t proclaim to understand much about this because I’m no psychologist. I do see on a regular basis my friends with Post Traumatic Syndrome (PTSD) returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and I understand how that can affect them. I know that getting shot at is different then something like the Boston Bombing but the affect can be the same and can do more damage than the physical scars. This is exactly why it’s called terrorism and why it is so deadly. 

Second plane striking the Twin Towers on Sept. 11th 2001

     Jack of All Spades was created not only on the basis of prepare and prevent but also of dealing with these events. The tragedy of Katrina wasn’t just the physical destruction is caused it was the emotional. People had lost more than just homes; they’d lost family, friends and entire lives. I worked with a wonderful lady who was about to retire to her home in New Orleans that year but had to return to work shortly after Katrina because she lost everything. It changed her life is so many ways. Understanding how to deal with whatever drama life throws at you is just as important as planning to avoid it. We don’t want these events to define us; we want to define these events. 

     The bottom line is that there can potentially be a plan for everything. The detail and level of dedication to these plans depends on you and your families but personalize it; make it your own. Each family has a responsibility to be prepared to act and not let these events act upon us. We can be stronger then Mother Nature and we can prevent these things from tearing our lives apart.

What Does "Preparedness" Mean? - Wilderness Survival

     I have many friends who have much more experience in the category of wilderness survival than I will ever have however I can say that there are definitely a few skills I’ve learned that have been absolutely invaluable to me whether I was camping in a state park campsite or hiking miles into the middle of nowhere on a survival trip. So despite what is likely to stir a heated debate I will submit my most cherished and important wilderness survival skills. I won’t go into all the different variations of how to do each of these things but I will mention them and discuss why they’re important. 

     Water: Being raised in Oregon’s Willamette Valley it was rare to find yourself somewhere in the wilderness without a short distance’s walk to water. Whether or not water is easily found water is an essential part of survival. Most scientists would agree that water is the first and most important substance to the body during a survival situation. Food can be found later since the body has an uncanny ability to survive for days without it. Water however is realistically a daily necessity. Knowing your terrain is the key to finding water. I know the Pacific Northwest well enough to pretty much find water no matter where they place me but I can guarantee that if you dropped me in Arizona I would experience a greater challenge. Each terrain is different and knowing the way water flows in your neck of the woods is important in finding water. 

     Water Purification: Once water is found it’s not always safe to drink. I’ve been lucky enough to go camping near a mountain spring where the water comes out pure and refreshing but not all locations have that purity. Some water has been infected with microbes and disease that cause serious diarrhea and stomach cramps. Stomach problems of this caliber could potentially be your undoing. Although there are many ways that you can purify water I couldn’t possibly select on as more important than another. Let’s face it survival is survival when it comes to this topic. The easy answer is to either have water purification tablets or a water purifier with you when you’re out in the woods. The thing is that if you’re caught in some cataclysmic disaster and you no longer have that option then you’ll need to find other solutions. Boiling water is one of the easiest if you can build a fire. At 212 F˚ or 99.98 C˚ water boils and even if it just reaches boiling it’ll kill giardia and many other nasty diseases. I will usually let it boil a little longer just to make sure. Some authorities will say four, five or even ten minutes but I’ll just say that is up to you. The minimum is to reach the boiling point.

Portable water filter made by Katadyn

     Fire: Boiling water is impossible without some sort of fire. When you’re trapped on a mountain you might not have planned to stay there that long and so you need to find a way to create fire. To a survivalist fire means the ability to block out the cold, ward off wild animals, purification of water, clean clothes and many other things. Each method is different with varying degrees of difficulty. My personal favorite is to use flint and steel but there are many other ways that are just as effective. 

     Food: This skill requires a little more work and reading then any of the others. I think most inexperienced people could bumble their way through the other items and survive to tell their tales however finding food can often be difficult. Just like finding water, knowing your terrain is the key to finding food. Trapping game is the ore difficult part of finding food. This skill is very important though because game of any kind brings in high protein and nutrients you can’t get from eating plants and berries. Know your weaknesses too. Catching larger game like deer, elk or moose is likely to be extremely difficult given your limited resources. If you find yourself with a bow or rifle then you might just be able to do that but remember that going after such big game is a serious endeavor and could take up valuable time in which you could be working on rescue. I would rather try to catch smaller game with snares and traps that require little time and just some simple know-how. Remember that even if they are typically bitter and still crawling bugs and other insects are very good for you. Know which kind of insects are poisonous but be ready to eat them if you’re stranded. They’re not that bad. The greatest thing about snares is that you set them and you can then go off to focus on other efforts to better your survival. Like shelter building… 

     Shelter: This might not be something you’ll need if you plan is to escape a situation. POWs and such are usually encouraged to keep moving and avoid leaving traces of their paths. For these situations shelter is not the best option however for the average citizen trapped on a mountain in dangerous weather this could mean life or death. Shelters should be small and compact to trap the greatest amount of warmth. Large shelters are more difficult to build and allow for heat to escape. Knowing your terrain and the available materials will also assist you. In the Pacific Northwest you can easily use downed trees or large boulders to make lean-too shelters. On tropical islands you’re less concerned with warmth and more concerned with protection from rain and sun so using palm leaves to block them both is a must. No matter the location, shelter can be made from anything around you and knowing which one for the terrain that you’re in is extremely important. 

     Orienteering: Every Marine and Soldier is taught this skill in boot camp and if you were a Boy Scout or even a Cub Scout you would have learned basic map and compass skills. If you have a compass or even a watch your ability to navigate is made easier. If you have neither then you are relegated to the tricks that nature has left for you. Know basic constellations and where they sit in the sky. North Star, Big Dipper and Cassiopeia should be well known to anyone that ventures out in the wilderness. For our Aussie friends the Southern Cross should be just as well known. Understand how to find where the sun is on a cloudy day because you might end up in the stormy Pacific Northwest where it takes more than just looking in the sky to see where the sun is. Understand land marks and how to read terrain so you can navigate them properly. These skills could become necessary if you’ve gone without being rescued for an extended amount of time. 

     Tool Making: I know that most people expect to only use these skills if something bad happens and they aren’t planning to be there for very long but what if you needed to know how to make a stone knife or a hammer or even a bow and some arrows? What if that were necessary to your survival? Would you know how to make them? A knife is potential the most important tool when surviving and without it your survival could be in jeopardy. Knowing how to make razor sharp knives could make everything easier on you. 

     In the movie “Castaway” with Tom Hanks we see him struggle through some terrible situations but in the last half of the movie we jump from the untrained, inexperienced castaway to the now tanned, hardened survivor throwing a fishing spear. That spear alone could save you in almost any survival situation that involves fish. The only difference between his and the one I use spear fishing is that mine is fiberglass with a metal tip rather than the wooden one he was using. This also applies to making fish hooks and lures because there are so many options. The natives of the Southern Pacific are famous for their bone hooks and lures. Knowing what techniques they utilized are very important to recreating similar tools. 

     Dangers: As important as it is to know what to seek out it’s equally important to know what to avoid. Animals, insects, terrain and other elements can significantly lower your chances if you’re not careful and knowledgeable. These dangers are real and deadly if you’re not careful. Eating the wrong plant or taking the wrong step is just as dangerous as accidently stepping between a mother bear and her cubs. Know your environment and understand the dangers.

     All together these simple skills can mean the difference between surviving and dying. Don’t be caught in a situation without the know-how. As Jack of All Spades we struggle to constantly prepare for dangers that might appear before us. Wilderness survival is much the same in that preparation is essential to life. Being ready for a survival situation before you’re placed into it could make all the difference.