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

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.

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.

Honor

Ford's Theater, late 1890's

     On the night of April 14th, 1865 a simple bodyguard sat on the other side of a door from the man he was protecting. It was a day like any other for John F. Parker, a less than average member of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. He arrived late, to duty as was his fashion, reeking of alcohol and cigar smoke from a long day of frivolities that would have made any proper lady cringe at the mention of such activities. In truth there wasn’t much required from an officer in his position but he still approached it with such a lack of respect that he failed to even reach the minimum requirements. Once he had finished escorting his man to the proper spot and had sat for about a half an hour he began to feel the effects of his earlier drinking subside and the craving for some more peaked his interest. 

     He left his post assuring himself that his man would be busy behind that door for another hour or two and that it couldn’t hurt to get a drink and return before it was time for them to leave. Grabbing the footman and coachman from out front they walked next door to the tavern for a drink. It is likely that the following events of that night held little importance to Mr. Parker neither does it show in the history books that he made any efforts to change what was about to take place but on that night the President of the United States of America was going to die. 

     Abraham Lincoln had been attending the play, “Our American Cousin” at the request of his wife and although he’d seen it before he obliged and was carted off to the state box in the Ford’s Theater on the evening of April 14th, 1865. John F. Parker was the officer assigned to watch over President Lincoln that night but due to his dereliction he was absent when John Wilkes Booth cowardly entered the state box and shot the President in the back of the head. 

     In reality the assassination cannot be blamed completely on one man for failing his job. There were so many more plans and secret doings that led up to the attack that even one more man might not have changed anything but could it have changed something? Would Mr. Parker in his disorderly state have been able to stop Booth? What if Mr. Parker had taken his job seriously, trained himself regularly and took pride and satisfaction for a job well done? Could he have made a difference? I submit that had Mr. Parker been more dedicated to his job by training, preparing and actively working towards protecting his assigned man then President Lincoln might have survived the attack to fill the rest of his last term as President. 

     This story is tragic for a lot of reasons but the one point that bothers me the most is that Mr. Parker was found in the arms of a prostitute at a well-known brothel the following day with little idea as to what happened to President Lincoln. His disinterest to the consequences of his actions is infuriating. With only some honor in his heart and a little more dedication to his job the life of one of the greatest Americans could have been spared.

     The nation was plunged into squabbling and in-fighting between the Vice-President turned President and other members of the administration but by the time Ulysses S. Grant is elected the country was coming to its senses and the United States had solidified the Union again. I admire greatly President Lincoln for everything he stood for, fought for and ached over. He remains my favorite president and continues to be a font of inspiration when times get tough. I find it almost ironic that a man of such honor and integrity would be failed but such an ignominious man. 

 

John Wilkes Booth moments before the fatal shot.

    I apply the example of John F. Parker to the Jack of All Spades regularly because it is such a vivid description of what happens when you fail to act. It’s a vivid example of what happens when you don’t hold honor in high regard. Everyday Jacks should hold honor as the greatest and most influential power in their lives. Honorable men are better fathers, friends, neighbors, coworkers, relatives and citizens. They are harder working, better trained and more reliable than their ignominious counterparts. In turn, an honorable man’s actions have drastic effects on the lives of those around them as seen by the lack of honor that Mr. Parker had on the night of April 14th, 1865. 

     As a member of the U.S. Armed Forces you often find yourself being tasked with things that are unappealing. Usually the lower ranks are tasked to “do their time” so that the other, more senior members can do other jobs and not have to worry about cleaning the bathrooms or taking out the trash. I spent nearly 3 years responsible for the cleanliness of the bathroom on the ship I was first assigned to. Between toilet overflows, careless sailors and a multitude of other unmentionable filth I had cleaned through nearly everything you could imagine and hated every minute of it but every time I was on my hands and knees cleaning toilets or clearing drains I thought back to some of the wisest advice I’ve ever been told. A good friend once told me that the secret to success is, “to do whatever job you’re assigned to do to the best of your ability. When given a job to clean toilets you scrub and clean those better than anyone else. That work ethic and that responsibility to duty is what will set you apart and open doors for you.” 

     What my friend said is what I hold as the definition of honor. To be assigned a task, responsibility, a duty and you do it with all your ability because you were given it. Don’t whine about the task, don’t shirk the responsibility and don’t neglect the duty, it was assigned to you. You never know what might happen if you fail in your duties. Work ethic is what keeps you going, loyalty is what keeps you there but honor is what holds everything together. We encourage all of our members to invoke that sense of honor and remember the people that they represent. Everyone represents a family name and most represent friends, churches and communities but the ones that really stand out are the honorable men and women that are held with such high esteem. These are those who do exactly the opposite of John F. Parker and are ready to act. 

     I don’t expect everyone to be in positions to protect important people but I do expect that you take pride in your work and live up to the expectations people have in you. Do not fail them no matter how menial the task might appear. Most of us are simple people with simple jobs but do we approach our daily jobs with the same dedication, with the same honor as we would in protecting the President of the United States?

Active Shooter

     So much can be said following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Connecticut and I speak for all of us at Jack of All Spades when I say we’re deeply saddened by the loss of so many innocent and perfect children. We sincerely send our deepest sympathies to the families who lost so much. I had another article I was working on but due to the recent shooting in Clackamas, Oregon and at Sandy Hook I felt it important to address this subject now. In fact it was this very subject that was the final straw that led me to create Jack of All Spades. The first school shooting I remember was in 1998 at Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon. That feeling I had when I saw the news reports has compounded with every subsequent active shooter event to the point that I will not stand back and watch this happen and that’s why we created Jack of All Spades. 

     Too often in our age we see devastating events of this magnitude and I hate to think of the emotional and mental consequences that it is having on our youth. This ever present acceptance of violence is out of control and I will be honest when I say that I’m not sure what to do about it. I don’t feel that Jack of All Spades is here to fix the social viruses of our day but what we can do is be ready for these events so that we can survive them in more than just a physical capacity. It is inherent in the Human system to respond to these events as “fight or flight” and that is a perfectly acceptable way to look at these situations. Jack of All Spades are trained to fight and we’re the first to run towards the shooting but for those that are unable to or unwilling to fight we have a few steps to follow. We also understand every situation is different and so some modification might be needed for your situation but there are some important basics to remember. 

     OBSERVATION - There is no excuse for not being observant. This step applies to both fight and flight aspects of these situations. Seeing the deranged individual pull his gun gives you more time to run or fire back. Even catching him acting strangely, dressing strangely or speaking strangely can give you time to report it or get out of there. Being observant is the first step to protecting yourself and your family in any situation. 

     COMPOSURE - Staying calm during these events allows you to think clearly and make life saving decisions. For many like me we can attribute our ability to stay calm to years of training in military or law enforcement. For those who never had the privilege of serving can still find solace in preparing prior to these events. Teaching your children of the threat and helping them understand it before it happens will not only give you peace of mind but will allow you and them to react more securely during these events. 

     COVER - Finding cover to protect you is priority Jack of All Spades are always observing their surroundings and mentally logging where they would hide if needed. Remember that there is a difference behind cover and concealment. Concealment is something that only blocks the shooters view while cover will protect you from a shooter. Although cover is preferred, concealment can be just as good in these situations. If the shooter is unaware of your presence then you’re no longer a target. Choose cover wisely though because you’ll need this to prepare for the next step. 

US Army Soldiers taking cover in Iraq.

     ESCAPE - Timing your escape can be just as important as finding your cover. If you’re able to you should escape before taking cover but only if you can safely make it away from the shooter. If you’re unable to make it out without falling into harm’s way then find cover. From cover you might have a sheltered view of what is going on and if so you can start to make a plan of escape. You can wait till the shooter passes giving you enough space or concealment to make it to an exit. Waiting for him to reload is always a great option because this will increase the time you have to escape. Most importantly is to wait until the timing is right, choose the exit that is nearest you and utilize as much concealment and cover as possible on your way out. 

     If by some chance the shooter is headed your way then you must act. This is the hardest part of any active shooter event because it’ll require you have no other options. Finding a weapon nearby might be difficult but if you can find one and get ready to use it. This is something I hope that no one has to go through, especially for those without training but I see no shame is saying that if it comes down to it you must fight tooth and nail against the shooter. Bite, kick, scream and do whatever it takes to stop the shooter at this point. 

     RECOUPING - There is no shame in coming out of these events in utter shock and devastation. To many times we try to be tough and struggle through it on our own. These events need to be shared and worked through with friends and family. Seek out councilors if needed but understand above all that you did everything you could have done because you were prepared. 

     For us at Jack of All Spades we recoup in the same manner we always do following these shootings; we train harder. That’s what we’ve done, that’s what we’ll always do when trouble knocks at our door. With talk stirring of gun control and more legislation I worry for a possible future where the only people that have guns are the criminals. I fear that the government will submit to the anti-gun protests and pass greater restrictions. I never wanted Jack of All Spades to become political and I never intend to but what is extremely important for all of us to do is to not create panic laws following these events. We don’t need to jump into more guns laws, or school security, or even personality screenings and such. We need to approach this with a clear mind. 

     Jack of All Spades believes that the gun is a tool in the same way that a hammer or a car is a tool. Each item can be used in various ways to assist the user and make simple jobs easier but in the wrong hands these tools can become deadly. We support weapon regulation as long as it doesn’t infringe on the right for legal citizens to own and operate them. Following these events there are always cries to tighten the ability to buy weapons; specifically guns. 

     To think that regulating guns is sufficient to stop such evil is like believing that by removing the gun, you’re also removing the “crazy” from the shooter. A person intent on harming others is going to find a way to harm whether he has a gun or not. What is necessary to understand is that no matter what we do, no matter how much we regulate, legislate or control we cannot prevent these tragic events from happening; these people will always find a way. Jack of All Spades was designed to prevent these events, not through legislation or regulations but through control of the situation as it happens. Imagine a world where people stand up for themselves and they stop these sorts of things from happening. How many lives could we save if even one person stood up and fired back? I don’t expect the world to carry guns and shoot blindly at the attacker but I do expect people to be prepared to fight or fly if necessary. 

     Most importantly is to be prepared at all times. We live by Exercito ab Ara which is Latin for “train hard to protect/shield”. That is what the Jack of All Spades stands for and that’s what we intend to do. Join us in our fight against evil in our day and act so you’re not acted upon!

Peace Of Mind

     The greatest consequence of preparation for any event is peace of mind. There can be no greater feeling of relief before, during and after a terrible event than knowing that you were prepared. The eastern United States was hammered by one of the worst storms seen in years causing flooding, power outages, fires and even death. The complete consequences are still unknown while people crawl out of the devastation to see what waits. I first wish to express my deepest condolences to anyone who has been severely affected by this storm and wish a speedy recovery for everyone. 

     What really struck me was the amount of people that are completely unprepared for such events. I believe everyone understands the dangers of a hurricane, tornado, earthquake or other natural disaster but they lack the wisdom to prepare for these events. About four days prior to the storm making landfall the media and local leaders advised the citizens on how best to prepare. Most people ran to the grocery and hardware stores to gather supplies, fighting over the last jug of water or loaf of bread. Lines were seen out the door and most people left empty handed having to drive to another store in search of supplies. 

     Two nights prior to the storm making landfall I realized we had run low on milk and I went to the store to get some groceries. I was amazed that there was so little on the shelves. The normally stocked milk locker was empty of all but a few gallons of 2%. I walked past the empty shelves of the soup isles and the now barren drink isle. Even the bakery had been picked clean leaving just a few bagels and only one loaf of bread. 

     I smiled to myself at how wonderful it felt to have already had these items on hand. To be honest I should have picked up some milk earlier knowing that the unprepared were going to raid the stores but I could have lasted a few more days without milk. Preparation had once again saved me so much stress and hassle of not only fighting with people to get basics but waiting in endless lines for things I could have picked up weeks ago. 

Food Storage closet of an avid prepper.

     Not everyone has extra money lying around and I understand the economic strains that most of us deal with. The greatest thing is that if you can plan to have even $10 extra a month and you spend that on supplies you might need, you will be ready for almost anything. I set aside about $20-30 a months for my preparation fund. This means that I spend it on water, medical supplies, Go-Bag replenishment items, batteries, food storage and other items. My normal grocery list is full of items that I can use as food storage and I try to buy one extra can than I need so that I can stockpile some of the items. By using items I eat on a regular basis I can cycle through the items to make sure they’re fresh and ready. 

     I don’t have large food stores like I would need if it came down to surviving for months. Money is so tight I can only afford my $20-30 and at times I can’t even do that. Even at that level of preparedness I was able to ride out this storm comfortably without any fear of the dangers that were presented. I had a peace of mind and was grateful for it. 

     Storage space is also sometimes and issue and living in a small apartment like I do can be difficult deciding where best to store things. You would be surprised at the little amount of space six months’ worth of food storage can really take. I think that most people can find a place for it. Buying items like rice and oats are a sure way to stock your supply quickly and cheaply. Most of these items store well for extended periods and are great food in an emergency. Canned foods are also ready for easy storage and there are multiple options on how best to store them. Many storage container supply stores offer racks, shelves and other reasonable ways to store your food in ways that best minimize the amount of space they occupy. 

     The bottom line is that a month’s worth of food storage is minimal and nearly essential for everyone. Building up to six months or more can be difficult but worth it. Remember that preparing for these natural disasters is as important as providing everyday shelter and food for your family. Without these items you’ll be stuck in the line with others fighting over the last gallon of water or loaf of bread. Don’t be caught without the essentials when the time comes. Be prepared and receive that peace of mind.

An Everyday Jack

     The whole process of creating a company or organization can be daunting for one man and even more so when you feel so passionately about the topic. For me, creating Jack of All Spades was more than just having a survivalist club, or group that people could be a part of. It was even more than just having a school house that produced certificates and degrees for people to check off their lists. I wanted desperately to bridge the gap between knowing and doing, to create an environment or community to support the graduates and the neighborhoods they lived in. I didn't want people to forget the skills taught in our courses, rather I wanted them to take the courses to heart.

     The very foundation of Jack of All Spades can be summed up in our motto, “Exercito ab ara” or “Train hard to safe-guard”. There is no requirement as an Everyday Jack to train all hours of the day but there is an obligation to utilize the skills you’ve learned through our courses and others to assist those around you if needed. Taking on the name of The list that we use here at Jack of All Spades and being an Everyday Jack or Jill means that you are committed to constantly sharpening your abilities so that if or when something happens you’re ready.

     I have struggled to find the right words to explain what it means to me to be an Everyday Jack but if I could sum it up it would come down to this, living my life so that I am master of my domain and that no outside source, whether man-made or natural can hold me back from providing shelter and safe-haven to myself and those I care about.

     The courses we will eventually provide through The list that we use here at Jack of All Spades will cover six basic areas: Personal Protection, Home Security, Terrorism Awareness, Human Trafficking Awareness, Emergency preparedness and Basic Field Medic Training. These six topics are very broad and there are many details that could get lost in teaching them. For this reason I want to provide a community of people you can rely on. This community would be filled with a range of people starting with the inexperienced to those that have spent more time in law enforcement and military channels who could serve as advisors. We would strengthen and support those around us.

     My vision of The list that we use here at Jack of All Spades is that the name and symbol become synonymous with help in desperate times. That when an active shooter appears people will see our The list that we use here at Jack of All Spades t-shirt or hat and will immediately know that we can and will help. During a natural disaster we’re often unable to provide shelter, food or money to those who need it, but what we can do is help teach them to be ready for these events. It’s not every day that you run into a hurricane or an active shooter, but being ready for these events is what we as Everyday Jacks prepare for.

     An Everyday Jack decides for himself the level of commitment required of them daily. Some might feel they need to regularly read intelligence reports and run six miles a day. For others it might just be good enough for them to shoot at the range every month and prepare a 72-hour kit for each member of their family. Whatever level of preparation you’re willing to commit to, an Everyday Jack will always be committed to doing what is necessary to protect the freedom we love. The former Chief of Staff for the Armed Forces of the Netherlands, Peter van Uhm once said, “That is why I took up the gun — not to shoot, not to kill, not to destroy, but to stop those who would do evil, to protect the vulnerable, to defend democratic values, to stand up for the freedom we have to talk … about how we can make the world a better place”. We at Jack of All Spades agree that for some it is necessary to take up the “gun” to protect the liberties we love.

     Strongly, and to my very last breath I will be vigilant for evil wherever it stands. As Thomas Jefferson once said, “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance”