Although now soldiers can *talk* about the twinkies in their fanny-packs. :o

Hey now, Twinkies are a part of the Warfighter's balanced diet, especially deep fried.:o

Dude - WAY too much stuff. A Large trashbag (you can stuff it with leaves/needles/grass for insulation when sleeping); a water purifier and cup; a means to make fire; and some signalling device and you'll be fine.

Learn how to make debris shelters. Pete had great advice - make a list and then go "live it". After a couple days of suck-fest, you'll be surprised at what was surplus and what was essential. Continue to refine your kit - from what you wear (pockets; stowability); signalling; to what you'll carry and what you need to move and survive.

From the pro's I've seen, they could pull enough stuff out of their pockets to "get by". Attached to them is another layer for longer duration/better comfort/mission-essential items. Carried in bags/rucks is more "stuff" not immediately needed/necessary.

Be surprised at how little you "need" to survive and what - particularly as we get older - we 'want" when in the woods.

After.....
 

dainbrain - Just one small hint: If you want to "play soldier" or prepare for TEOTWAWKI, do it where/when you're not going to upset the locals. If you go wandering around in the woods with the crap you've got listed - somebody will call the local sheriff. Save the airsoft getup for weekends with your buddies where you're not likely to encounter granola eaters. Witness Arizona - fringe lunatics are going to be getting a lot of scrutiny - and people wandering around in the woods in a militia getup qualify as fringe lunatics. Learn wilderness skills the traditional way, with unremarkable civilian equipment, preferably with unremarkable friends to enhance the learning experience. My .02, YMMV.

I think the above advice is crap! Should the zombies come to life the weekend of your trip, and you followed Peregrino's advce, you are screwed. Use the local sheriff to work on your E&E skills.

After all - the sheriff needs practice too!:D Peregrino

Or you could sign up for Mantracker...

Brain
 

I always liked the name "brain", it reminds me of Harry Dean Stanton as Brain in the movie Escapre from New York.

In your intro, you mentioned limited military experience due to heat exhaustion in OSUT. What is the prognosis today?

You are new to PS.com and we welcome questions, but use your "search fu" skills. There are many threads that cover basic loads, equipment and what works vs. not work conclusions.

Are you training for something specific?

I got that name for being a bit of a nerdy computer guy (it is what it is, I'm sure somebody here plays World of Warcraft).

I don't recall saying heat exhaustion was the cause, but it was related to that. I passed out and sustained a serious head injury which resulted in a couple seizures. It's a bit of longer story than that, which I will freely and truthfully elaborate on if anyone wants to know.

Prognosis today is perfect health. Tried to get back in once, was denied. Years later was informed that 'there's a waiver for everything'. Went seeking guidance from several retired friends much older and than myself who advised me to remain a civilian, take care of my family, try to be a better person, and thank the Lord everyday for my freedoms that were gained by the blood of heroes. I still wrestle with it every single day, it weighs on me.

Thank you for the training. My search-fu has proven to be weak I suppose. That and due to my ignorance on certain subjects, I guess I wasn't even sure what I was really looking for. I feel I was guided a little back to the straight and narrow from the advice above.

I guess I try to train for unknown unknowns. I'm not a zombie hunter or a nazi slayer or any of that bullshit. I'm a young guy, fairly new to the fatherhood club. I'm a conservative and a Christian (but not a fanatic). I obey the law, pay taxes, vote, and try to fulfill any of my other obligations as a citizen the best way I know how. I feel obligated to be able to protect my family, my friends, and my country if I'm ever needed to do so, because I believe that we should not rely solely on our government to secure our quality of life.

So I guess I try to train for any situation I can think of, and I try to keep my brain sharp during times of stress.

Sorry for the mouth diarrhea. Sincere thanks.

Bullshit is it? Well, try to remember that when your brains are being eaten or they skin you of your tatoos to make a lampshade. Trained for everything? I think not.
No apologies necessary. Quite the contrary, thank you,. We so seldom get this opportunity.

(really, 12-21-12 is a reality. be ready)

TOUCHE'

:p