The Bug-Out Bag (chance for free camp firestarter)

     There are different names for them but my favorite is the "bug-out bag" and I think everyone should have one. A bug-out bag is a back-pack or duffle bag filled with all the things you think you will need in an emergency. What kind of emergency? Well I guess that's up to you but personally I like a little of everything. I began making one of these bags a couple years ago. It's a standard sized duffle bag filled to capacity with anything and everything I ever thought would be great  to have on hand in a pinch. A well stocked first-aid kit, matches, flashlight, extra batteries, emergency blanket, tarp, rope, knife, duct tape, dry pair of socks...i could go on forever. Once I started building it I thought of more and more things I wanted in it until it became what it is today. A few M.R.E's (meals ready to eat), fishing tackle, a quart of water, water purification tablets, bug spray...every bag is different but they all serve the same basic principle, to be prepared. My bug out bag fits easily into the trunk of the car or can be brought along on camping trips to ensure everything is covered, especially all those items noone thinks about till they need them (first aid, toilet paper, sun protection, bug spray) Even a fully stocked bag without too many fancy items can be made for a couple hundred dollars or less, so what are you waiting for? Start making one and never worry if the power goes out, if you break down on the side of the road, or even if you just want to "bug out".  I have a great item to start you off with.

This is an emergency fire starter. If you are at camp or lost in the woods with no way of making fire to stay warm, or if your matches have become wet and your lighter is empty, this is your friend. It is completely water proof so even if it gets soaked it will be able to light yor fire. Just scrape the steel flint along the magnesium alloy fire starter rod and you will creat a 5,000 degree spark. This item lasts about 12,000 strikes. From now until the end of June any new followers to my page will be entered to win this firestarter. Just start following me and write me a comment saying "firestarter" so I know you are interested. I will return all follows and the winner will be announced at the end of June on my page.       The winner will recieve this firestarter completly free (shipping too). So follow along and start building your bug out bag now.

AR15: Americas #1 rifle.

I joined the military after high school and though my term of service was but a few years I have many fond, and some not so fond, memories of my experience there. The exercises, the yelling, the non-stop mentality that we all grew familiar with became ingrained in us in such a way that it may never leave completely, even after we are long gone from the job. Your senses have a way of holding your memories closer. Sounds, sights, textures, and smells lock themselves into your mind in ways I never would have imagined. For me, the last of these is the most memorable. The smell of cleaning supplies in the barracks because everything had to be so spotless, the pungent aroma of two-hundred and sixty soldiers sweating during physical training, the scent of breakfast every morning being carried around in the wind, and the smell of gun smoke at the rifle range. To this day, every time I smell spent gunpowder it immediately brings me back to my days in boot camp.  

            I have used many firearms since I got out of the army but I have always hoped to be able to own one like my service rifle, the m16-a2. Recently I had this opportunity and purchased a Bushmaster “AR15” XM15-E2S carbine.  The AR15 platform has been the most popular rifle for both military and civilian markets for quite some time, and with good reason. The 5.56 NATO/.223 cartridges are lightweight, allowing soldiers to carry more. It is universally used in many different weapons all over the world, and the weapon itself is so modular and easy to modify that it offers a practical solution to your needs whether you’re shooting gophers in your garden or storming terrorist strongholds in the Middle East.

            Here is a picture of the rifle as it came to me with a few extras. The handgrip has a Samson tool kit insert which houses every tool you would need to perform repairs in the field, including a small container of oil for a one time cleaning. This item goes for about a hundred dollars and I probably would never have bought it on my own but as it came on the weapon I found it an incredible value. I will be adding some things in the near future to make it more tactical and give it a custom look. As I do I will keep everyone updated to my experiences with different manufacturer’s parts and how well they worked out for me. If anyone has any questions feel free to write and I will do my best to answer them.