From the monthly archives:

March 2010

MEDICAL: Putting Together a First Aid kit

by Andrew R. · 35 comments

in Medical

Authors FAK

I started thinking, as summer is coming up, just what I want in my first aid kit for the range and any firearms classes I will be attending. Then I tried to decide what would be a good kit for just about anything I would do outdoors that might cause a traumatic injury. I thought about what we had at work (local fire/EMS department) and what changes have come along since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

With the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan we have revamped a number of things we do in treating traumatic injuries. Probably the most significant change in this care has been the reintroduction of tourniquets. What for well over 20 years had been a major No-No is now initial care. In the “old days”, care was done by ABC; Air way, Breathing, Circulation.

Now the standard is EABC. The E, standing for Exsanguination or better known as “bleeding out”, is the number one killer on the battlefield. So our first step is to stop the bleeding with direct pressure. If direct pressure will not stop the bleeding we then can go to a tourniquet. Just to clarify, we do not use tourniquets for bleeding on one’s neck, ok people.

Click Here to Read My FAK Item List >>>

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URBAN SURVIVAL: The Urban E&E Bag Concept is Silly

by James G · 48 comments

in Urban Survival

The E&E Bag – for all those times a secret agency is trying to assassinate or kidnap you

I have been toying around with writing an E&E Bag article for a wile now but I didn’t really see many people getting any use out of it. I mean, seriously, how many people need a “Jack Bauer” E&E Bag to avoid capture or assassination in an urban environment in the States (or any other 1st world country)?

I can only think of one group who would have the need for an Urban E&E Bag in the 1st world:

- Criminals

That’s it, that’s the only group who would be on the run from armed and skilled people trying to kill or capture them and who would be unable to call the cops for help. Even a guy like myself and some of the other DVM Crew here who work in the security or Intel fields don’t need or use an E&E Bag when we are stateside.

We are all law abiding guys, so if someone is illegally conducting surveillance or trying to kill us we would just dial 911 or a lawyer to get a restraining order. We sure as shit wouldn’t do some sort or “cat and mouse” thing running through the back alleys of the city picking locks to evade some wacko that wants to smoke us.

Think about it, if someone is following you they are a PI, the cops, a crazy person, fired employee, someone you sued, law enforcement, an angry husband or crazy ex-girlfriend. In none of those situations would you ever want to play some sort of James Bond game wile running solo through the city like you work for CTU or something.

Plus if you were trying to avoid a KGB assassination you probably wouldn’t want to run around town with a big ass courier bag stuffed with a transvestite disguise anyway. I also think its odd that if (for whatever reason) some shady organization was hunting you that you would be walking around the streets in the first place.

The honest truth about the urban E&E Bag is you will never be in a situation where a bag full of lockpicks, disguises and guns will come in handy unless you are burglar or the FBI is after you. Spend your money on porn and booze instead.

Click Here to See the Contents of My Stateside E&E Kit >>>

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H2H FIGHTING: the F.I.G.H.T. Israeli Tactical Knife 2 DVD Set Review

by James G · 20 comments

in H2H Fighting

Well, if you can teach a monkey how to knife fight then maybe you can learn knife fighting from a DVD

A buddy of mine sent me the Israeli Tactical Knife 2 DVD Set produced by Integrated Defensive Fighting Systems, Inc. (IDFS) the creators of the Fierce Israeli Guerilla Hand-to-hand Tactics (F.I.G.H.T.) program. Not really sure why, he is sort of a strange guy that randomly mails me things and still hand writes letters.

Anyway, F.I.G.H.T. is based off of the Haganah self-defense system that is supposedly used by Israeli Special Forces operatives. As far as I can tell F.I.G.H.T. is another made up “reality based” martial art that seems to be more about business than fighting.

Now I don’t have a problem with a martial artist making a living, in fact I am just the opposite. I like to see a MA guy make a buck or become financially successful, IF the martial arts program they teach is actually effective. But all of the jack-offs selling the “earn your black belt at home” videos in the back of Black Belt magazine tends to make me a bit skeptical whenever it comes to martial arts videos or new fighting systems.

The one thing that encouraged me about F.I.G.H.T. is it’s a combativeness style of fighting, one of the few martial arts that can be somewhat learned in seminars, books or videos. So with as open a mind as I could muster up I tossed the Israeli Tactical Knife 2 DVD set in my DVD player and pulled out my rubber training blade.

Click Here to Continue Reading My Review of the F.I.G.H.T. Israeli Tactical Knife 2 DVD Set >>>

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10 MINUTE TACTICAL TOOLBOX: Skills You Can Add To your “Tactical Toolbox” in Only 10 Minutes a Day

by DV Mag Staff Article · 14 comments

in 10 Minute Tactical Toolbox

10 MINUTE TACTICAL TOOLBOX

“Skills You Can Add To Your ‘Tactical Toolbox’ in Only 10 Minutes a Day” is our new monthly column where we will present a tactical oriented skill that you can learn in about a month, practicing for 10 minutes a day just about anywhere.

Like most operators, tactical enthusiasts and everyday guys the day is never long enough. If any of you guys are like me you are lucky to hit the range one or two times a month. And taking an entire weekend or week to take a class is a once a year luxury.

So over the years I have learned to pick up random tactical related skills by compacting them into bite-sized bits that are flexible enough for me to practice whenever I have 10 to spare.

Most of these skills aren’t “sexy” like scaling a building wearing black with an MP5 – but in my experience they are essential skills that all prepared individuals should learn.

Myself and the other writers here at DVM will all be writing theses articles drawing from our respective professions and experience.

So every month starting tomorrow (Tuesday, April 06) we will present a tactical skill along with a step by step lesson plan that you can learn over a 30 day period in your spare time. Our goal is to help you add 12 solid skills to your “Tactical Toolbox” every year.

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CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS: 5 Tips for Security Contractor Team Leaders 1.0

by Bubba G · 9 comments

in Civilian Contractors

Local national (LN) security team members supervised by the author in Iraq

EDITORS NOTE: Even if you are not a security contractor the team management tips below will translate into any job where you supervise people.

If you are contracting, invariably you will be assigned as a Team Leader (TL) sooner or later. Back in the day, this meant having to supervise and lead other Westerners in the accomplishment of your assigned duties and missions, For the most part, being a TL was just being a glorified baby-sitter for folks who already had the skill sets and discipline to carry out the mission.

However, today’s game has changed. A TL on a contract team will now be earning his pay leading a mix of Third Country Nationals (TCNs) and Local Nationals (LNs) from the Country they are occupying or assisting. It’s rare to see a team constituted of 100% First Country Nationals from developed States.

I have been in this game for a while and have amassed a few basic tips to help out other TLs who are just entering the contract arena or want an amusing review to pass the time.

Click Here to Read 5 Tips For Security Contractor Team Leaders >>>

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TACTICAL GEAR: Do You Really Need a Pair of Boots That Last For Years?

by James G · 27 comments

in Tactical Gear

My boots have lasted 20 years! so what if they smell like a dead cat + a taco bell restaurant that’s on fire

I was recently in the market for a pair of combat style boots in anticipation of heading back to the Middle East. So I decided to ask around to my buddies and see what the ‘latest and greatest’ ninja boot was.

No matter what brand they suggested the one common denominator was “dude, XYZ Brand will last for years” or “ZYX Logger Boots will last for 20 years”. From as far back as I can remember it seems that the lifespan of boots has always been an important factor whenever people talk about choosing boots.

Personally I don’t want a pair of 10 year old boots sitting in my house, after that amount of time they would probably smell like a dead body. Plus its not like my old boots are going to be some sort of family heirloom, I just need my feet not to be naked.

Back in the day when I first started wearing combat style boots for work I would always rotate them out every year. So ever since then my only concern when buying boots was “will they last a year?” and “how much?” – I actually don’t like wearing boots at all; I think they are uncomfortable regardless of the brand.

I can see buying a pair of boots that last for 10 years if you are a logger in Canada or a cowboy of something. Not really so much if you are wearing then everyday wile working in the Middle East. Mostly because they will be nasty after a year (well, for me they will be nasty) so spending 400 bucks on a top brand of logger boots just doesn’t make sense to me.

Anyway, I ended up going with the same model and brand I wore the last time I was in Iraq – so I basically wasted everyone’s time. If anything, I am a creature of habit when it comes to gear and guns (I am the guy with a 1911 in a sea of Glocks).

Click Here to Read the Brand and Style of Combat Boots I Wear and Why >>>

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EXPAT SURVIVAL: The Expat E&E/BOB Bag

by James G · 24 comments

in Expat Survival

while living or traveling in the 3rd world If you look out your window and see this you better grab your Expat E&E Bag and get the hell out of dodge

This is a supplemental article for: URBAN SURVIVAL: Do You Really Need a Bug Out Bag? Part – 2; Yes Some People do Need a BOB, But Not Everyone (if you have not read it please do before you read this article).

NOTE: I have changed the title of this article to “The Expat E&E Bag” because I feel that that better represents what it is used for. E&E = Escape and Evasion

For those of us who travel, live or work in the 3rd world having an Expat E&E Bag is a necessity. In the 3rd world things like nationwide civil unrest, famine inducing food shortages and civil war are regular occurrences.

I personally spend a good amount of my off-time living in a country that has had a dozen natural disasters, a major regime change, nationwide famine, several small civil wars and weekly occurrences of civil unrest – all this just in the past 10 years.

And when I am working it is always in some tin-pot 3rd world country on the verge of civil or all out regional war. The few 3rd world countries where I don’t need an AK-47 just to take a dump are still ass-backwards shit-holes.

They may not have IED’s going off every 10 minutes but if I accidentally bump into a lady at the local gaudy shopping mall I could end up in jail getting man-raped by my cellmate Ali Abdul. Even in paradises like Thailand where I used to go fishing on R&R they seem to be on the verge of a coup every other week.

If you need a visual example of how most of the 3rd world is, just watch the movie “Soylent Green” – that’s pretty much the way it is in all large 3rd world cities.

Considering the unique circumstances of having to bug out in the 3rd world the standard “Swedish fire-tool and ammo” list isn’t appropriate. So below I have listed out the items and miscellaneous stuff that any Expat should have in their Expat E&E Bag.

Click Here to Learn How to Throw Together an Expat Bug Out Bag >>>

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TACTICAL TRAINING: Physical Body Language Indicators of Imminent Violence

by Luke W. · 5 comments

in Tactical Training

As portrayed on the popular TV show “Lie to Me” body language can not only be an indicator that someone is lying – it can also indicate a violent attack before it even happens

One of the most often overlooked aspects of your training regimen is conflict avoidance. We train and train on how to resolve a violent encounter in the most efficient and (in certain cases such as an attack on principle in a High threat environment, or when someone is trying to kill you in) the Most violent manner possible to end the threat for our clients, our teams and ourselves.

What is so often missed is that prior to any attack there are certain clues that the attacker gives off that indicates that they are about to commit a violent act against us.  Having a full repertoire of the latest greatest ninja tricks and gadgets at our disposal is a great thing, but quite frankly, the best way to resolve a potential violent encounter is to not have one at all.

This idea was not lost on some of history’s greatest warriors including Miyomoto Musashi (The Book of 5 rings is a must read) and Roman Fabius Maximus who Incisively used the strategy of non confrontation as a battlefield tactic that arguably lead to the ultimate defeat Hannibal of Carthage.

Historically, The Romans viewed this inaction as a form of cowardice, and removed him from power, however, they later adopted it and the brilliance of his strategy was ultimately vindicated.

Having the ability to recognize when someone is about to become violent, and in some cases Hyper-violent is one of the essential tools for anybody, not necessarily just those of us in the security industry. If you can recognize the signs of violence and remove yourself or your client from the equation, you are far better served (It also covers the first two prime directives of PSD quite nicely).

Click Here to Read the 5 Most Common Body Language Indicators of Physical Violence >>>

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OLD SCHOOL MAN: Happy Steve McQueen Day

by James G · 12 comments

in DVM OLD SCHOOL MAN

Terrence Steven “Steve” McQueen – March 24, 1930 – November 7, 1980

Old School Man.com has officially declared March 24th Steve McQueen Day – a national man Holiday. So break open a bottle of scotch and toss one back in remembrance to the king of all Old School Men.

For those of you that don’t know, Steve McQueen was born this very day back in 1930. He jumped out of the womb fully grown then knocked the doctor out for slapping him on the ass. After that he had sex with all the nurses, fired up a Lucky Strike non-filter and field-stripped a 1911.

Happy B-Day Steve – thank god you aren’t around to see the sorry state of manliness these days.

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CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS: Douchebag Contractors

by James G · 52 comments

in Civilian Contractors,Douchebag Contractors

Civilian contractor middle east job recruiting poster

Contractorous Douchebagnus
1.  A person employed as a civilian contractor in an overseas environment who acts superior to everyone despite being a total douchebag himself.
2.  A person employed in the above vocation who is so insecure he overcompensates by attempting to act like a SF-bad Ass despite having a military background working at the DFAC.

On the first security contract I ever worked on way back in the day I was greeted by this sack-of-shit guy who was assigned to pick up new guys at the airport. The following is the first conversation I ever had with another civilian contractor:

- Douchebag Contractor: “You James?”
- James G.: “yep, how’s it going’ (extending my hand)
- Douchebag Contractor: “grab your shit, lets go” (looked at my hand and walked away)
- James G.: “Errr.. hey man, I have like 3 bags plus the 4 lockers of stuff they sent with me for you guys”
- Douchebag Contractor: “Goddamnit ok” (grabs my backpack angrily wile huffing and puffing, leaves me with the large bags and lockers wile he smokes in the pickup).

And that was my introduction to the world of contracting douchebags, and don’t think this story is unique – I have heard it a hundred times from a hundred other guys.

As much as I love working as a Civilian Contractor I am the first one to admit that this line of work probably has the highest ratio of douchebags to cool guys than any other vocation. It seems like every angry insecure guy that had a mommy who didn’t breast feed him enough has somehow found their way into contracting.

Considering that working as a Civilian Contractor probably has some of the best benefits out of any other line of work I cant figure out why so many contractors are such douchebags – they should be happy (I am).

  • Six-Figure salary? – Check
  • 3 to 5 months off a year paid? – Check
  • Job Security? – Check
  • Get to work with other cool like minded guys? – Check
  • Despite the fact I have a great tax free job I will still be a complete douchebag to everyone? – Check

Below I have listed out the 7 most common variants of the Contractorous Douchebagnus

Click Here to Read the Contractorous Douchebagnus List >>>

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