Below is a list of the different kinds of military gear that hunters can take advantage of.

1. Military Uniforms and Clothing

One kind of military gear that hunters may find very valuable are military uniforms and clothing. For one, such clothing is extremely durable. Things like military uniforms, army footwear, and even military caps and hats are designed to withstand the harshest conditions on Earth so they can protect soldiers from the elements in nearly any situation. For this reason, they are great for any hunting season and nearly any hunting ground in the United States.

Secondly, military uniforms have great camouflage. They can allow a hunter to go undetected by his or her prey. This may not be the case for non-military hunting gear. However, one should be careful that hunting accidents with others do not occur as the result of such excellent camouflage.

2. Night Vision

Another thing that a hunter may find extremely useful is a pair of night vision goggles. Military-grade night vision goggles are some of the best and highest quality you can purchase on the market. This is because they are designed to make the difference between life and death during the darkest nighttime conditions.

As such, they are also perfect for hunting at night. Many different kinds of game such as deer are actually very active during nighttime hours. Night vision can be used to help a hunter spot a would be trophy that may have gone unnoticed by that hunter otherwise.

3. Knives and Swords

Military style knives and swords can also be very useful to nearly any hunter. Military knives are some of the strongest blades in existence. They are made to be tough, durable, and extremely sharp. They can cut through just about anything. For this reason, they are excellent for skinning game and slicing meat.

Swords may seem like they have less use for the average citizen. However, hunters may find some use for military style swords as well. For one, such swords are designed to be multipurpose. They can actually be used to help clear dense vegetation when moving through an extra thick forest or swamp.

They can also be used for hunting the old fashioned way with one’s own blade. However, due to safety concerns, the game being targeted should be rather small and non-aggressive. Larger game such as deer, moose, or feline predators should obviously only be hunted with guns.

4. Military Scopes

Lastly, the US military has spent centuries perfecting the art of sharp shooting. For that reason, military-grade scopes are some of the highest quality scopes a hunter can buy. Adding one to your firearm can make the difference between obtaining that prized trophy or not.

The armies of a few other nations such as Russia and North Korea are also not something to be scoffed at.

For this reason, certain people may want to prepare for such a nightmare scenario. One way you can do so is by stocking up on military equipment, special forces gear, and other kinds of specialty equipment designed for such a situation. Thankfully, many such items are available to the average consumer. Below is a top five list of items that can help you prepare for an invasion.

1. Night Vision

One thing that can be extremely valuable during an invasion is a pair of night vision goggles. The reason for this is that the invaders are likely to strike at night when most regular citizens are unprepared to respond. With a pair of night vision goggles, however, you will be able to see the soldiers before they reach you and your family.

2. Knives and Swords

Another thing that can be quite handy to have during a war on United States soil is knives and swords. It is good to have guns. However, guns can always run out of ammo. It is always good to have a backup for close quarter combat. Blades can also be used as tools for other tasks you may need to perform to survive such as skinning animals for food.

3. Military Footwear

Another thing that can help save your life during an invasion is military footwear. You may, for example, be forced to flee your home and seek refuge in the wilderness. During such a trek, quality footwear is essential. Simple tennis shoes are unlikely to survive the stress of being used for weeks on end in the wilderness. Thankfully, army boots are designed to withstand the harshest elements of any landscape for months on end.

4. Law Enforcement Gear

Law enforcement gear can also come in handy during an invasion. Police scanners can help you detect radio signals in the nearby area to alert you of approaching military vehicles. If you need to take prisoners, having a pair of handcuffs is a necessity. Batons are also great for close quarter combat.

5. Surveillance Equipment

Lastly, having surveillance equipment can make the difference between life and death during a mainland invasion. Such equipment can alert you of the presence of soldiers on your property. If you are alerted of that fact, you may be able to get you and your family to safety in time.

One way to do so is to stock up on field equipment and survival gear. Below is a list of the top four kinds of survival gear that may come in handy after a worst case scenario.

1. Canteens and Hydration Systems

The most important thing to do in an emergency is survive. The most basic resource every human being needs to survive is water. If things do really get bad in the future, you may no longer be able to depend on public water sources. You may have to find for yourself.

If this is the case, having canteens and hydration systems can be very important. They allow you to store water for a long period of time without that water quickly evaporating. Thankfully, there are many choices for consumers to choose from including designs developed for the military.

2. First Aid

If society crumbles, you may no longer be able to rely on things like hospitals and 911. If you or some you care about are injured, you may have to tend to and dress that injury yourself. To do so, you will need a first aid kit. Such a first aid kit should include things like gauze, alcohol wipes, moleskin, and hydrogen peroxide. Since you may be fending for yourself in the wild, it may also be a good idea to include things like anti-venom and a sting and bite kit for insect bites.

3. Firestarters

Another thing people need to survive is heat. It is needed to keep people warm. It is also needed to cook food. Starting a fire is not a skill everyone has. While it may be easier with the right supplies, you may be caught in a situation in which starting a fire is very difficult.

One solution to this problem is to have firestarters on hand. There are a number of items that can easily start a fire and are small enough to fit anywhere on your person. Tinder quick fire tabs and firelighting flint are two such examples. You may also want to invest in a waterproof match container for any matches you do have on you.

4. A Forever Flashlight

Being able to see in the dark is very important. However, if getting a hold of new batteries for a flashlight is impossible, that can be extremely difficult. One solution is to purchase a Forever Flashlight. Such a flashlight does not require batteries to operate. You only have to shake it to charge it.

Below is a list of the top four kinds of military apparel the average person can benefit from owning.

1. Military Footwear

For many people, work boots are a necessity. They may even be demanded by the safety regulations in many factories and other dangerous work sites. Having durable boots that last is very important for these workers. You can’t really do much better than army boots. Such boots are designed to last for months on end in the harshest conditions and toughest terrain. For this reason, they’re great for any work site.

2. Dive Watches

Military accessories are also some of the highest quality available as well. This is no different for watches. Military watches are designed to withstand all kind of environments. This is especially the case for dive watches that are used by Navy Seals. They are the most water proof watches in existence. They work underwater and can survive nearly any kind of environment. With such a watch, you’ll be sure to know the time no matter what happens.

3. Camouflage Uniforms

Military uniforms that implement camouflage can also be very useful to average citizens. They can especially be useful to hunters. With such great camouflage designs, a hunter is certain to be able to sneak up on nearly any kind of game. However, such camouflage can be so good that it may fool other hunters as well. For this reason, you should be extra careful to avoid hunting accidents due to “friendly fire.”

The camouflage isn’t the only good thing about these uniforms that can benefit hunters. Such uniforms are also extremely durable and can hold up under any weather conditions one may experience while hunting.

4. Military Helmets

Another thing that is of the highest quality are the helmets our soldiers wear on the battlefield. They are specifically designed to protect the cranium from the worst possible injuries. They can also do the same for the average person as well. If you do work in which your skull needs to be protected from flying debris or other dangers, wearing such a helmet can give you the same kind of protection.

Military helmets can also be used by motorcycle enthusiasts as a replacement for more traditional motorcycle helmets. Army helmets are designed to protect a person’s brain from blunt objects, shrapnel, and even bullets. They certainly have the ability to protect a person’s skull during a motorcycle accident as well.

What it Really Does

Put in a nutshell, it gives the military power to declare any American an enemy combatant, even while in US soil. Those who are deemed to be a national security threat for America can be placed under immediate military custody without a trial or charges. Critics of the new bill call it a “throw them into jail free card”, civil rights advocates call it the end of the Bill of Rights, conservatives see it as the ultimate example of government overreach and foreign news outlets call it the beginning of an American authoritarian police state.

The truth, however, is that it only expands slightly on the powers the military already had under the Patriot Act. Many of the senators that voted for this bill have pointed out that this is nothing new in the post-9/11 America. In fact, many arrests of suspected domestic terrorists have already been made in this way in US soil, while others have had surveillance equipment monitoring their every move.

What Americans Can Expect of NDAA

Will the American public see a sudden influx of military personnel in full special forces operation gear down the street, or military gear and equipment enthusiasts should worry about being taken by a soldier wearing night vision goggles? Not likely.

As mentioned previously, this bill does very little beyond what the Patriot Act already allowed. While some may worry about special forces swooping down in tactical gear to cart every Occupy protester to Guantanamo, the chances of that actually happening are low to nil.

The Bottom Line
While the law does have definitive constitutional problems and the criticisms to it are very valid points indeed, the reality is that the nightmare scenarios of an American dictatorship are heavily exaggerated.

The second amendment, the right to bear arms, is there for that very reason. Many Americans own weapons of all kinds, from knives and swords to firearms and explosives – a luxury the citizens of true autocratic regimes do not have. That alone is reason enough to doubt the US government would risk a civil war against a well-armed public. Of course, there is also the precedent of the Patriot Act itself – another bill that people swore would lead America down the road to a dictatorship and, as we can see today, it didn’t.

Below are four of the top kinds of law enforcement gear that average citizens may find a use for.

1. Mace and Pepper Spray

Mace and pepper spray were actually designed by law enforcement as a means of removing the ability of possibly violent individuals to attack. If anyone is sprayed with these substances, they will lose their eye sight, much of their mobility, and be unable to pose much of a threat.

Mace and pepper spray are great for individuals that are not strong enough to physically protect themselves against criminals. If you feel your spouse or children may at some point be attacked or assaulted, giving them a canister or mace or pepper spray can provide them with the means to defend their selves.

2. Surveillance Equipment

Many forms of surveillance equipment have also been designed for use by law enforcement. Average citizens can also use the same equipment to defend their homes and family members. For example, you can purchase an alarm clock with a hidden camera inside. This is a great way to keep tabs on your children when they are being watched over by others. If the children are being abused, you will be alerted of that fact. You will also be able to share the evidence with police.

3. Tasers

Tasers were developed as a way to bring down violent criminals without ending their lives. They can do the same for regular citizens. Many people understandably are not comfortable carrying a concealed firearm. Carrying a Taser with you instead is one good alternative. Firing it at an attacker can certainly bring that person to their knees in pain. This can allow a person to make an escape to find help without having to end that attacker’s life.

4. Police Holsters

However, other individuals may wish to exercise their right to carry a firearm within the states where citizens are given the freedom to do so in public. Guns, however, are still dangerous. You want to make sure you don’t accidentally fire your gun while you are storing it on your person. You could badly injure yourself.

One solution is to purchase a police holster. Such holsters are of very high quality. They are designed to allow an officer to both safely store a gun on their person and quickly extract it when needed. They can do the same for the average citizen. Criminals are also very unlikely to target a person that has their handgun displayed on their hip in a holster in the first place.

Handle

When selecting any type of knife special attention should be paid to the basic construction and design of the handle. Whether it is a kitchen knife or an instrument for outdoor applications, an effective knife handle should be surrounded in a slip-resistant polymer in order to minimize the chance of the owner accidently injuring himself during normal use.

Additionally, handles with a hollow center should be avoided at all costs. While the idea of storing additional survival equipment inside of the knife is amusing on paper, in reality, what other similar took would you feel safe using if the handle was not constructed as a solid piece. In the woods, a knife often functions as a hammer, and axe, or a pry bar, and if you would not feel comfortable using any of those tools with a hollow handle, then absolutely avoid it on your knife.

Blade Material

Most modern knives are available with either a stainless steel blade or a blade constructed of carbon steel. While much of the selection process in this instance boils down to individual preference, each material has its own pros and cons.

A stainless steel blade is obviously rust and corrosion resistant, maintaining an unblemished surface for the length of the knife. However, many enthusiasts insist that a stainless steel blade will not hold and edge as well as a blade built out of carbon steel. Unfortunately, carbon steel is not as durable as stainless, requiring a higher level of maintenance and rust removal.

Blade Construction

The first thing to understand when selecting a knife for functionality is that you are not Jin Bowie, and you don’t need five pounds of steel. While it might look intimidating while you are sitting in the hunting lodge, beyond a certain reasonable point, the weight and length of a knife becomes a hindrance and a potential threat to the owner depending on the weather conditions in which he or she is operating. Somewhere between six to seven inches of straight, relatively thick steel, with an unserrated edge is perfect for accomplishing any number of outdoor tasks, without exposing the owner to unnecessary risk. In most cases, any knife related task can be complimented through the use of a sturdy piece of wood to safely increase force and leverage.

The key to successfully utilizing government surplus and equipment designed for military and police applications is to understand what to look for and how to implement certain items during civilian activities.

 Defense Items.

Many forms of commercially available mace are simply diluted pepper spray based on capsaicin levels. However, military and police grade mace is often a tear gas variant, which is more of a physical irritant than a chemical antagonist. This offers increased stopping power and defense capabilities.

Video Equipment and Surveillance Measures.

Military and police grade audio visual equipment is often of the highest quality, even if it is several years old and a little worse for the wear. However, often times, if equipment was replaced or purchased relatively close to an upgrade period, the “used” equipment is often almost new, or even still in the packaging. Again, it comes down to maximizing the wasteful nature of governmental bureaucracy. In addition to the traditional surveillance based usage of the equipment it can also be easily utilized as basic video equipment.

Uniforms and Clothing.

Military surplus clothing has a plethora of uses. Current members of the military are always eager to pick-up a few extras sets of clothing for a variety of uses, and many younger people are always eager to implement surplus military uniforms as part of an eclectic clothing ensemble. Hunters and fisherman also have an easy time utilizing camouflage military surplus clothing during outdoor activities, not to mention Halloween and costume applications. Many of the same factors are also applicable when it comes to police uniforms, though the laws governing the use of official police apparel are stricter and should be carefully observed.

GPS and Communication Devices.

GPS technology is something, that despite numerous advances, is inherently fundamentally the same. As far as the average outdoorsman is concerned, as long as their device retains a charge, can survive the rigors of the elements, and accurately depicts their current location, then they are a satisfied consumer. The same is also true for basic portable communication devices, though they are obviously not as streamlined or as impressive as most modern cell phones. Whether it is children playing in the backyard or a couple of buddies sitting in different tree stand, walkie-talkies are a cheap and convenient option.

Vests

When compiling a collection of equipment from scratch, the tactical vest is a sound starting point because it often offers the best overall carrying capacity and versatility for the cost. While a tactical vest is not designed for any one specific purpose or for transporting any specific type of equipment, for a relatively low entry cost, participants can purchase an item with a respectable amount of customization options.

Unfortunately, while a tactical vest is an absolute necessity as a piece of starter equipment, it is limited in overall level of customization when compared to other pieces of equipment. Many of the container slots found on a tactical vest are generic in nature, and not designed for specific types of equipment, such as additional magazines. While it does a satisfactory job of holding any single item, it does not excel at holding any of them.

Chest Rigs

Though a chest rig does not offer as much overall body protection as a chest rig, it does sit higher on the body and impair overall movement less, an absolute must for Airsoft players who plan on relying on their speed and maneuverability in order to be successful. Chest rigs also do not offer as much total carrying capacity as other pieces of equipment, making them a relatively poor option for novice players who may not know what to expect and may be unsure as to what they will need equipment wise for any specific encounter. Advanced players who understand specific equipment needs appreciate the lightweight nature of a chest rig.

Tactical Belt

A tactical belt is the most limited piece of equipment when it comes to overall carrying capacity because it is obviously the smallest and most lightweight. However, seasoned Airsoft players will often find that it is the most crucial piece of equipment that they possess. At the end of the day, basic human anatomy and range of motion make it far simpler and faster to retrieve an item located around the torso area than to retrieve something strapped to the upper body or across the chest. However, the extremely limited nature of the tactical belt means that many inexperienced participants doom themselves to failure before they leave their house by selecting the wrong items to place into their tactical belt.

In most cases, when hiking or backpacking, the most severe consequences or worst case scenarios can be easily avoided by dedicating the proper amount of time and energy towards preventative measures.

 Safety in Numbers

While many people enjoy hiking and backpacking specifically because it allows them to avoid human contact, going it alone is not always the wisest choice, especially when dealing with an unfamiliar trail or an isolated location. Bringing along an additional hiker, or even a pet, can increase a solo individuals chances of avoiding a catastrophic event by a staggering percentage. Luckily, going solo is often perfectly acceptable when dealing with a low difficulty trail, operating in a densely traveled location, or when traversing a location close to a populated local.

Make a Plan

Again, the reason that many people enjoy hiking and backpacking as a hobby is because of the freedom it affords them from plans and carefully regulated timeframes. However, simply wandering around a specific wilderness location, especially one in which the hiker is unfamiliar, is one of the surest ways to court disaster. When people get lost in the wilderness, unless they are able to identify a landmark or follow a designated trail, they often wander around the same location in a rough circle. Adhering to a plan allows a hiker to minimize the chances of such an event. Additionally, notifying a friend or providing them with a copy of the plan greatly increases the chances of rescue in the event that something does go wrong.

Survival Gear Selection and Maintenance

Most hikers like to think that all that they need is a good pair of shoes and a water bottle, and they are good to go for a couple of hours alone with nature. However, with the level of technology where it is nowadays, the idea of minimalism when it comes to survival equipment is a dangerous and outdated philosophy. Whether it is a fully charged cell phone or simply a basic GPS device, there are many small, portable, durable, pieces of electronic equipment that can literally save a life during the course of a critical survival encounter. Many hikers underestimate how quickly a situation can turn critical after only a few short days alone in the woods. A basic, lightweight survival kit containing a thermal blanket, a few energy bars, and a couple of water purification tablets can exponentially increase an individuals chances of survival in such a situation.