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

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. 

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? - Physical Fitness

     I can’t speak for everyone when it comes to preparation. There are too many different purposes for their preparation, too many ways of preparing and too many levels of preparation. What I can say about preparation is that I feel that there are certain things that must be maintained in order for you to claim preparation. Having a first aid kit in your bathroom but lacking proper food storage isn’t what I would call prepared. You can’t be a Jack of All Spades if you’re not covering all your bases. The entire reason of adopting the title of Jack of All Spades is that you’re a Jack of All Trades! So the following series of articles are my opinion of what is required before you can claim “prepared”. Having worked on this topic for a while I’m going to start with physical fitness and move onto different topics and how they relate to being prepared. We’ll cover food storage, martial arts, weapons handling, emergency preparedness, and more. Without further ado we began with the essentials in physical fitness. 

     This subject has long been my enemy. I rarely enjoy working out and I have difficulty committing to a regulated exercise schedule. I do find physical activity extremely rewarding when it’s connected to a sport or an outdoor activity but if the requirement is to run on a treadmill for an hour I’d rather sit in front of the TV instead. Let’s face it, most of us are the same way when it comes to getting out and exercising. The issue really is that when something happens and you’ve got to run for 30 minutes non-stop what are you going to do? I cannot think of any incident off hand that might require you to run non-stop for such a long amount of time but the point is that you need to know where you stand physically. I’m not talking martial arts or defending yourself at this point I’m merely describing your ability to perform on a physical level. 

     How much can you lift? How far can you run? How many pull-ups can you perform? Could you lift and carry another person? These are the questions I think of when it comes to my own personal exercise routine. In the military there are differing requirements between men and women however I feel that it is just as necessary for a woman to know how to carry the weight of a person as much as it is for a man. Pull-ups, push-ups and other exercises might more naturally be suited to the male figure but that doesn’t mean that women could match them. Since I see some of these exercises as a set of survival tools I feel that both men and women should be able to execute them. I won’t preach numbers but will leave that up to you and your own abilities. What should be kept in mind when working on these exercises is “how will this help you survive if you need it?” 

     PULL-UPS: One of the most difficult exercises for the average person is pull-ups. Most everyone can execute a single pull-up yet getting a second or even third can prove to me almost impossible. I’ll admit that even my own numbers are small next to the ever-ready Marines that I work with but that doesn’t mean that I don’t try. From my point of view a pull-up is one of the most important because let’s say that you end up hanging from some precarious ledge and the only means of escape is your own strength. Will you be able to execute a single pull-up and pull yourself from the edge? If you can only do one pull-up is that going to be enough when you really need it? These situations will rarely occur but I’d rather be ready with a solid five or six pull-ups under my belt than nothing at all. 

     PUSH-UPS: This is one exercise that I do enjoy. It keeps me awake during long nightshifts at work standing watch and it stirs up endorphins with little effort on my part. The greatest example to how important these could be was depicted in the movie “Batman Begins” where Bruce Wayne, played by Christian Bale, was trapped underneath a burning log and his butler, played by Michael Caine says, “What’s the point of all those bloody push-ups if you can’t even lift a simple log?” Now, Christian Bale was in shape in the movie as we see when he wakes up and drops to the floor to do a handful of push-ups as if they were nothing. The point however is that if you are suddenly trapped by anything whether a burning log or even some rubble from a building, will you have the strength to push it off you? If you’re able to do multiple push-ups then your chances are better.

     SIT-UPS: Let’s all face it, the majority of Americans in general pay little attention to their stomachs. Sit-ups represent the worst in exercising at times because of how difficult it is to start. Your first few might feel great but by thirty or forty you start to feel the burn. I have noticed though that the great thing about sit-ups is that it literally is the easiest to see results with. You can start with thirty sit-ups one day and move up to thirty five the next. By the end of the month you’ve double your number and it gets easier. From the survival stand point it’s simple to understand why sit-ups are important; your core is essential to your movement.  

     Whether you’re simply sitting up or throwing a punch you’re ability to move is anchored by the strength at your core. Push-ups, Pull-ups, even running is easier with a solid core. Remember, this doesn’t mean that you need rock hard abs or even body-builder muscles. You only need the strength. Find what works for you and stick with it. I do sit-ups every day until it burns and then I come back and do it again later. When I was deployed on an Aircraft Carrier I set my watch to go off every hour and I did forty at a time. You decide what’s right for you! 

     RUNNING: My worst enemy; running. It is true that I despise running above all other exercises but I cannot ignore the validity of such a thing. I sincerely believe that at a minimum every person should be able to run a mile without stopping. I feel strongly that a mile is a distance that stretches beyond the average person but still doesn’t require too much work to achieve. No serious training is needed and no special equipment is required; just the desire to go the whole 5,280ft. 

     SWIMMING: I have little advice for swimming since it isn’t something I excel at however I feel that this is as necessary as any other ability. The ability to swim is literally a life or death situation. I don’t know the statistical proof behind it but I would guess that the likelihood of falling expectantly in to water is much more likely than finding yourself hanging for your life on the edge of a cliff. Swim backstroke, freestyle, butterfly or even a solid doggy-paddle but know it and do it well. Don’t be caught without this ability. 

     FLEXIBILTY: I have learned over my years of martial arts that one of the most understated physical feats is the ability to flex to positions that the average person can’t. Although I admire the heroic feats of Jean-Claude Van Damme I don’t think anyone needs to be able to do the splits. What I think is extremely important about this though is that stretching and using those muscles in this way reduces injuries and more importantly keep you primed for action if you need to. If you need to react your muscles are used to working in a way that responds quickly to action. Make an effort in your exercising to not only stretch for your work out to help your muscles but do it to increase flexibility. There are hundreds of websites available about the best ways to achieve Jean-Claude Van Damme status but find the one that’s right for you and work it into your routine. 

     HEALTHY FOOD: I am no an expert, neither do I claim to know more than the average person does about eating healthy so I’m going to leave this topic very simply at: eat healthy. Your body is a machine and the quality of fuel you put into it determines the performance. We all love a little junk food here and there but balancing it with proper nutrition is extremely important. I put nothing but the highest grade of fuel in my motorcycle so why would I do anything less for my body. 

     There are so many reasons and examples of why this sort of commitment is necessary but if I were to list them off I think that we’d be here a while. I’d rather move on to other topics discussing equally important topics. Never underestimate the power your body has. It is, in my honest opinion, the most complex and important machine on the earth and if we are careless in maintaining it the body will fail. Don’t be that guy that is caught unable to protect his family or friends because he has lacked foresight in preparing himself physically.

Jack of All Spades

     Since organizing Jack of All Spades I’ve had to divide my spare time between writing articles and running the day to day operations of Jack of All Spades. I have recruiting, advertising, researching and other duties that most regularly occupy my time and it saddens me that I don’t write as many articles as I would like. The good news is that Jack of All Spades is well on its way and within the next year we hope to be fully up and running. By “up and running” I mean that we should be actively involved in our communities and attending regular fundraisers, conventions, public meetings and other important events. Senior officers have been called and we hope to fill other valuable spots within the organization soon. 

     The changes most likely to be new to you are that Andrew Barnes has been promoted to Master-At-Arms and Phillip Barnes to Vice-President. They are still acting presidents of their respective Units but they have the added responsibility of overseeing the entire organization. Congratulations to both of them on their promotions. 

     I also understand that the entire vision of Jack of All Spades might be a little unclear and so I would love to enlighten everyone on two very important parts of the puzzle: the Hierarchy and the vision of Jack of All Spades. Before I get into the details of how we’re organized I’d like to explain why we’re organized. 

     I grew up in a good neighborhood and was distanced from crime in general growing up. With the exception of the occasional bike being stolen or a house being toilet papered we understood nothing of the criminal world. Having spent some time in various places around the United States and the world, before and during my time in the military, I now understand better the living conditions of people less fortunate to have had what I had growing up. I ache at the news reports that talk of home invasions, rapes, kidnappings and theft. I hate to hear of active shooters, gang violence and racial attacks. The violence levels that we as American citizens seem to tolerate are astounding. I would never condone any of the items I just mentioned or any of their related criminal acts, so why would I not stand up and do something about it? 

     Jack of All Spades is designed to strengthen a community by being the cohesive glue that unites the law-abiding citizens against these dangers. The idea is to create a “super neighborhood watch” system. We’re not one or two people patrolling the neighborhood once a month or maybe even once a week. We are a community of people committed to always watching, always being ready for anything that might threaten us, our families or our communities. We see the commitment to protecting ourselves to be the most important thing we can do to deal with the terrible events that life might throw at us. 

     In many articles on the website I focus on “man-made” disasters such as active-shooters and kidnappings but in reality Jack of All Spades is really about being ready for all disasters whether man-made or natural. We want all people to be aware of what they can do to prepare for these events without breaking the bank, causing undue stress or affecting your life in any way other than positively. The basis of our vision is to act and not to be acted upon. When life gives us lemons, we’ve got the juicer ready! We don’t feel that most of us will deal with this life-threatening situations on a regular basis and there’s really no need to prepare but we believe that there’s no reason not to prepare. 

     With that vision we offer an organization that anyone can join. There is no commitment required beyond the dedication to protect your family and to prepare for danger. Below is an image of the Jack of All Spades organization. It is comprised of normal Everyday Jacks and Everyday Jills like you who have dedicated extra time to teaching, assisting and supporting other Jacks and Jills in their causes. 

     Jack of All Spades is organized on the national level covering all 50 states. Each state will eventually have their own sub group called a “Unit” with each Unit making up the entire organization. As of now the Jack of All Spades holds only one solid Unit in Oregon with three temporary Units in California, Florida and the Washington, D.C. Metro Area. Each of those units is structured the same as above with only a few changes in insignia and name. Red stars at the top of each insignia indicate a Jack of All Spades Senior Officer who presides over the national level while the regular insignia indicates a Unit Officer. Unit Officers are prefixed with “Unit” to differentiate from the Senior Officers. Unlike the Master-At-Arms at the national level, the security officer of a Unit it called a Sergeant-At-Arms and falls under the direction of the Master-At-Arms. The following is a quick rundown of what responsibilities each role has and how they relate to each other. 

     President of Jack of All Spades is responsible for maintaining the overall vision of the organization as a “knights of the people” security group. Overseeing the national level support of the organization he works closely with the Special Programs officer in planning events, fundraisers, charity programs and other organization gatherings. His most important responsibility is to assist the Senior and Unit Officers in maintaining the true vision. 

     Vice-President of Jack of All Spades is like the chief operations officer and is responsible for overseeing the operations of the group and supporting the members. Working with the Quartermaster he manages the advertising and marketing for Jack of All Spades. 

     Master-At-Arms is responsible for protection of the organization and their name, to ensure proper use of it and the insignia. He meets regularly with the Sergeant-At-Arms and initiates new members of the organization by overseeing their trial period. Recruitment, morale and general well-being of the members falls to the Master-At-Arms and is assisted by the Vice-President in his duties. 

     Secretary maintains the records and history of the organization. He attends all meetings and assists the President during events and gatherings. 

     Treasurer monitors the funds acquired Jack of All Spades and works closely with the Special Programs officer and the President during fundraisers and charity events. 

     Quartermaster is responsible for all merchandise, equipment, tools, etc. that the organization purchases. He maintains the supply locker and works closely with the Vice-President in advertising and marketing strategies. 

     Armorer runs the Jack of All Spades armory by cleaning, operating and maintaining all weapons and ammunition owned by the organization. 

     Special Programs manages the events, fundraisers, charity programs and other organization gatherings. This position is ultimately responsible for all gatherings of Everyday Jacks. 

     Ride Captain works with the Special Programs officer with all member gatherings but specializes in organizing motorcycle rides and meetings. Since many members enjoy motorcycling he organizes regular motorcycle rides and lunches for all members that ride. 

     Adopting the vision of Jack of All Spades will better secure a community against so many dangers that exist around them.  They will be better able to pull together during times of trouble or when Mother Nature rears her ugly face. Jack of All Spades will encourage those of the community to stop tolerating the actions of those that might be occurring in their neighborhood and by small and simple steps we can push out those of our community who refuse to abide by the rules.

So stand up today and forever more as a Jack of All Spades!

Everday Carry

     Growing up I ended up with certain items that I required myself to bring with me no matter where I was going or what I was doing. In a suit and tie or in blue jeans you could empty my pockets and always find certain items. With almost every item there was a reason and although most might have thought the reasons strange the items were utilized more than I would have expected.  Most of the items were tools for everyday use and some were “just because” or “just in case” but I can say that each item was used on more than one occasion and borrowed by more than just one person or many an occasion. I became known as the guy that my friends relied on when they forgot to bring a knife or a screwdriver or whatever it might be. The question that spurred this entire article is, “What does an Everyday Jack carry every day?”

     Over the years the items changed but the principles of having these items with me remained and eventually turned into personal law. I now have a list of items I refuse to leave the house without. When I was about 12 years old my list consisted of: Wallet, keys, lockpicks, folding knife, chapstick, lighter, sunglasses and a few quarters. The wallet and keys were more essential than optional but the other items came in handy often. The knife was used so often I ended up usually switching it out with a better one every year or so. Sometimes I even carried a folding knife and a sheath knife at the same time. I wasn’t a smoker and didn’t have any immediate need for a lighter but I felt cool having one and I used it to light a number of firecrackers and cherry bombs over the years. Realistically the lockpicks were over the top and only used once. The reason for carrying them was merely to practice my skills (which never really improved). Lastly, the quarters were for making phone calls before the cell phone craze.

     Now that I’m an adult I usually carry my gun (Taurus Slim PT709 9mm), an extra mag, wallet, keys, kubaton with handcuff key, lighter, folding knife, cell phone, small LED flashlight and cash. Each item is useful in a pinch and is specific to different situations. My wallet and keys are just as essential as when I was 12 but I would add my cellphone into the essential category now. The lighter, folding knife, flashlight and cash are really for emergency use while the gun, extra mag and kubaton are for defense purposes. The handcuff key is really more of a momento from when I worked with the US Navy Police.

     I don’t suggest that everyone follow my recommendations as what to carry everyday but there are a few things to look at when deciding what is right for you. Jack of All Spades recommends you think of these three questions when what to carry: What are you going to need? What might you need? How am I going to carry it? While thinking through these questions remember the purpose of the items; essential items, protection items, survival/emergency items.

     It also might be a good idea to take a look at some of the great websites out there surrounding the subject so you have a better idea of where to start. Here’s a quick list of them that might be useful: 

http://everyday-carry.com/

http://everydaycarryblog.com/

http://www.edcforums.com/

http://everydaycarry.net/ 

     Remember the first question, “What am I going to need?” when you’re planning. When I think of a typical day I know I’m going to use all of my items daily with the exception of my gun, kubaton, lighter and handcuff key. I have, without fail utilized every other item daily. You decide what is essential. If you can leave your house without your keys, wallet or cellphone then that is up to you to decide and no one else.

 

Duct tape keychain; always have it with you

    The unexpected emergencies are why we pose the second question “What might you need?”  Jack of All Spades recommends that everyone that can carry a gun, can obtain a Concealed Carry Weapons permit and most importantly feels comfortable to utilize and employ it should carry. Everyday Jacks are there to protect their neighbors and if you’re not equipped to do it then you’re failing as a Jack of All Spades. For those who would rather “dress down” rather than carry a gun, try carrying a kubaton or expanding baton.

     My last note on carrying a gun is that there are many people that have guns but lack either the confidence or judgment to use it. There are many classes offered by qualified instructors to assist people in finding the confidence to employ their guns. If you’d like to gain more confidence with a sidearm then seek out those willing to teach you. I know plenty of people who’d even take you out and teach you for free as long as you cover the price of ammo.

     Remember that these items are not always something you need to carry on you at all times. Just because I carry them all the time doesn’t mean that you couldn’t find alternative ways of doing it. Having a special bag in your car with these items is better than leaving them at home and there’s nothing wrong with stowing a first-aid kit, flashlights, knives and other items within reach if you decide not to carry. I understand that the bulk of a gun can be an issue and for some women it might be difficult to find the right holster for your gun because of the sexy dress you’re wearing. Understand that there are lots of alternatives to the traditional holsters (Flashbang bra holster).

     To answer the question posed above of what a Jack of All Spades carries you can be sure that no matter the list, he or she is ready for their day and that if called upon they are ready to defend to the best of their ability. No one’s list is the same however we encourage all Jacks and all Jills to be expect the worst and hope for the best because we are here to stop the worst from happening.