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.

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.

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!

Protecting Your Family

     Becoming a target for a hitman or foreign spy is not a common occurrence for Everyday Jacks. This sort of activity is usually left to black ops operatives, former Special Forces and government agents that don’t really exist. The worst event an average person might encounter is a possible bar fight or a stolen credit card. Even though we might never end up in an international spy incident we can still learn a few tricks of the trade from our covert brethren to assist us just in case. 

     There’s no claim on my part to know every secret that makes a good spy or Special Forces operative successful, but there are a few simple tricks that they utilize that are good to know if you or your loved ones are in danger. Even if none of these steps might ever need to be used, they are extremely simple to plan for and should be at least in place in case they do ever need to be used. 

     The first thing every family should have is a rally point. There is really no excuse for this one because it’s pretty standard for every child that goes through public school to have received the “rally point” speech from their local fire marshal. When your house goes up in flames, all members of the family should evacuate quickly and meet at the predetermined rally point to be counted by their mom or dad. Much like a house fire rally point, you should have other rally points in case something goes wrong. 

     A friend in Law Enforcement was working narcotics on a very large case. The suspects somehow learned personal information about my friend and sent some of their goons to follow his wife. There was no telling what they were going to do. Having been briefed of the dangers posed to her and her children she was always aware of her surroundings. On the day the goons started to follow her she was aware enough to realize she was being followed. She called my friend and he instructed her to meet at the rally point. When she arrived my friend and a good sized force of other officers were waiting for the goons. A little planning on the part of my friend and her wife ensured the safety of their family. 

     We might not be working a case against narco-traffickers but there’s no reason not to have a primary, secondary and even tertiary rally point. Make sure everyone in the family is aware of the rally points and how best to get there. 

     In conjunction with a rally point each family should have a safe-word or phrase. While working for Naval Security we were required to have a safe-word or safe-phrase. We oftentimes used common phrases that meant nothing to everyone else around us but to my partner it meant something deadly. This was only used to give myself and my partner more time to prepare for the danger when we discovered some lethal contraband or weapon. I was lucky never to have to use it but we did have it just in case. We usually changed our phrase everyday but we always talked about it that morning before starting our shift. 

Speakeasy access...mum's the word.

     Each family should have safe-words whether it be a single word that you give to the kids so they can identify a stranger is an authorized agent for their parents or if there’s a dangerous situation occurring and you need to pass a covert warning to a family member over the phone. As a young child my parents gave me a safe-phrase and a safe-number to remember so that if something happened to them and they needed to send someone else to get us then we could trust those people after they gave us the safe-phrase and number.

     In reality the safe-word idea can be modified to meet the needs of anybody who wishes to use it. Have a safe-number, word, phrase, sign, whistle or even a handshake. The bottom line is that there should be something in place to reassure you that the person giving the sign is speaking for the family or to warn the family of a potential threat. 

     Some people have security clearances or work against criminals. Other people have businesses that make thousands and thousands of dollars a day. There’s no shortage to the creativity of the criminal or terrorist mind so don’t think that something dangerous couldn’t happen to you. Your normal day job could easily be a target for people who need what you have. There are too many dangerous men out there with a thirsty desire for all sorts of debauchery. Most military members are just grunts and they lack the clearance or need-to-know when it comes to government secrets but that doesn’t stop foreign agencies from hacking into computers and Facebook accounts just to get some info. You never really know who could be a target. 

     The Jack of All Spades is different than the survivalists and “preppers” of the world in the sense that we don’t expect that these dangerous events WILL happen; rather we know that they COULD happen. An Everyday Jack understands that no one needs to prepare for all these things, but they’re simple enough that there’s no reason not to.

Prepare or Not to Prepare?

     I understand there has been a while since I've posted and my weekly article isn't so much "weekly" anymore but I've struggling with how best to approach this topic. Since the inception Jack of All Spades, I've had numerous people contact me on social sites and other venues wanting to “friend” me or to follow the Jack of All Spades. The popularity is something I’m excited and grateful for. The only thing that is alarming is that a high number of these individuals are “Doomsday Preppers”. 

     On the grand scale of survivalists there is the slothful couch potato to the left and the Doomsday Prepper towards the right.  This scale paints a very clear picture between doing and not doing. As for Jack of All Spades we fall in a happy middle ground between the two ends. There exist extreme levels of hoarding food and arms, and even larger claims of apocalyptical endings but that is where difference between an Everyday Jack and a Doomsday Prepper lies. An Everyday Jack divides the two groups nearly equally in terms of preparation. Most people’s preparation standards fall on the left side of the scale while the more extreme Preppers fall to the right. 

     The grand difference between the Doomsday Prepper and the Everyday Jack is the purpose behind the preparations. Jack of All Spades prepare for events to either prevent or be ready to cope when they occur. This keeps our life from falling into personal and financial recessions. A Doomsday Prepper does all this because he expects the world to fall and he and those like him will be the only ones left standing. They might claim that inevitable catastrophic failure in government or mankind but they prepare so that they can be left standing when everyone else falls. Everyday Jacks don’t want to be the only ones left standing. We prepare to prevent such disasters if possible and deal with them afterwards if we can’t stop them. 

     Apocalyptical disasters might stand a credible chance of happening but the likelihood is much less than the ones we prepare for as Everyday Jacks. Using your efforts to prepare for a flood or fire is much more productive than preparing for nuclear war or alien invasion. I don’t want to degrade those that prepare to such extremes because many of their techniques and processes are enlightening and available to those that want to learn. I have learned many things from them and encourage everyone who wants to learn “pre-modern world” techniques to seek out this information. 

     Not all Doomsday Preppers are bad either. There are varying degrees of preparation and some of them only prepare “just in case” but Jack of All Spades does not prepare for the end of the world. There are too many other things to worry about throughout our normal lives and too many things that we can do now to prevent those far off disasters from happening. There might be a day that government failure will be more likely. When those odds become more likely Jack of All Spades will be ready to start offering advice, but until that point take care of your family, your friends and your community so that we as a people are better. Prepare for muggings, rape, kidnapping, home invasion, credit card fraud, terrorism and international dangers when at home or abroad, natural disasters and even personal and public medical emergencies. All of these things and more will be the end of us if we don’t stand together as Everyday Jacks and Everyday Jills against the evil that is presented to us. 

     Jack of All Spades is a community based on the principles of knowing the danger, training for them, and then providing an ever-evolving safety net of friends and teachers. We’re not a remote commune of people waiting for the world to end. If we are anything, we’re a group of people preventing the world from ending. Is it not true what Albert Einstein once said, “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing”?

     Spend your time and money on things to improve the situation and not wait for it to get worse. Running from the problems will only make it worse when you try to step back into the situation. To be clear, Jack of All Spades is not a community of Doomsday Preppers. Think Jack of All Spades as a neighborhood watch for the United States. We know the threats, we’re trained for them, and we share our knowledge among ourselves to better our preparedness. No longer will we stand still as danger approaches because we’ll see it approaching and have a plan to combat it.

Escalation of Force

     Escalation of force is something that we use on a regular basis whether you realize it or not. Have you ever stopped a fight before it started? Have you scared a robber before he was able to do anything? Or maybe you just held someone back long enough that they were able to calm down and it never led to violence. We use escalation and de-escalation tactics daily without even knowing it. As taught in the military and law enforcement world there is a ladder of force and if used properly you can prevent serious harm from falling to yourself and those around you. Although every branch of the military and most law enforcement have different variations of the ladder, the overall idea behind it is to stop the action of the suspect at the lowest level possible.

     The list that we use here at Jack of All Spades is a seven point ladder of force (see the image above). The first step to any event is Presence, just physically being there. Military, law enforcement and civilian are all capable of performing this step however it is usually easier for uniformed individuals because they present a more authoritative demeanor. A civilian may not have the physical appearance of a soldier or Sheriff however they can still deter criminal actions just by being there. The only active requirement to this step is something an Everyday Jack or Jill should be doing anyways and that's paying attention. Being observant can oftentimes lead you to action before anything could be committed. Report suspicious activity if observed and if necessary move on to the next step.

     Verbal commands are the quickest way to deescalate a situation. Using this step can prevent the criminal act or even delay them long enough for law enforcement to arrive and assist. This step is most often used when two people get into a heated argument. This doesn't need to be a step only used when you see a noon-high shoot out. Your voice is the best step to stopping bad things from happening. The more you practice, the better you get at it. Some people are born with silver-tongues that can get anyone to do what they want and others need to work at it, but the bottom line is that speaking up can often be the best step and is almost always the most effective. Even if this step fails on your first attempt you should still continue to use it throughout the next five steps. 

     Most people think that if it comes to physical contact it has to be in fist form. Soft-Hand Techniques are utilized to prevent injury to yourself and the suspect. These skills could easily be used by pulling a friend away from a larger opponent in a bar or even restraining someone until he calms down. Soft-Hand techniques are used to prevent injury to the suspect and others who might be in the area. Non-lethal holds or strikes fall in this category, but understand that if you perform a strike you must do it in an area that will not do any damage. Non-lethal strikes are more to distance you from the suspect then to do any harm. Remember that if this is a violent situation and the suspect continues to grow more dangerous, that escape is still your best option and you should utilize the soft-hand techniques to achieve that. If these steps fail and you're either unable to calm the suspect down or escape then move on to the next step.
     Hard-Hand Techniques are similar to Soft-Hand Techniques but they are more forceful and require you to move the suspect's arms, legs and neck into positions that restrict movement and incur slight to serious pain. Remember that you're trying to deescalate the event as much as possible and throwing your opponent into a bone-breaking arm-bar is not necessarily going to make him happier. Twisting the suspects arm behind his back like the police do is a great technique and many martial art dojos are more than willing to teach simple techniques for a small fee. Blocks, arm locks, wrist locks and holds all fall within this category and are very effective at slowing down your opponent. (Later I'll make a good video showing the five basic law enforcement moves we utilized in the Navy). If you're unable to distance yourself from the suspect or subdue him then move on to the next step.

Police duty belt. So many options.

     Military and most law enforcement combine Strikes in the same category as hard-hand techniques. The reason we don't combine them at Jack of All Spades is because striking is seen by an opponent as offensive in almost every case. A person being "managed" by soft-hand and hard-hand techniques may not see them necessarily as offensive however a strike can easily escalate the situation. Before I discuss this more I must remind you that if it is not required then don't use this step. There are plenty of other steps that can subdue the suspect before you get to this point and a good strike in the wrong place can kill someone. However, if he's still moving around and you're still in danger after exhausting all the other steps, then by all means step in with a well placed strike. You should also understand the state laws regarding this step because in some states a shod foot is considered a deadly weapon and you can go to prison if not careful. If you see that your strike(s) have been successful then move down to a lesser step.

     With any luck you've contained the situation and a Less-Than Lethal Weapon is not necessary. I won't discuss batons, bats or other weapons here in detail because there are very different rules and laws regarding what is and isn't a deadly weapon. I recommend that each person consult the state laws where they live to make sure that their weapon of choice isn't illegal and understand what repercussions could result from using it within your state. When we refer to less-than lethal weapons we are referring to batons, tasers and other items that won't cause death but are often restricted by local or federal laws. Choosing your weapon can often be a difficult one but we will cover is a later article.

     Personal judgment in the last three steps are crucial and at this point are necessary when it comes to deciding how best to escalate or de-escalate further. Moving on to the next step is a serious one and can land you in a situation you may not want or need to be in. Deadly Force needs to be considered very carefully in all situations. Sometimes you're not given that option and you might even jump straight to this step. I hope that no one ever has to but if you are faced with it I hope you’re ready. In the military they drill into your head that deadly force is, "force that a person uses causing, or that a person knows or should know, would create a substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily harm". Looking back on those days in Naval Security I understand better why they made us recite this regularly. The Navy wanted to make sure that we understood what was involved if we had to draw our weapons. Every person that carries a knife, baton, gun or other weapon should understand the possible outcome if that weapon is implemented. If you're not comfortable with that possibility or you're unsure of how to best utilize that weapon then you should reconsider using it.

     Escalation of Force is a series of steps but it should be known that there is no solid break between the steps and it really is more of a scale. Most importantly is to remember that this ladder is a two-way street and just as easily can you escalate you can deescalate. Your goal should always be to deescalate. There’s no reason you can’t encounter a dangerous or life-threatening situation and find a pleasant way to de-escalate it. Every situation is different and they each require a different set of steps and sequence. Remember to keep your head on a swivel and be prepared because when it counts that preparation will come back to you when you need it most.

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”