Recce Rifle Setup and Camouflage / Mountain Rifle Setup. Becoming Deadly in the Mountains Part 2.

In this video we go over the basics of Recce Rifle Setup / Mountain Rifle setup. Hopefully in this video we can begin to answer your question of, "How should you setup a rifle?"These are topics that have been near and dear to my heart for a long time. I've been lucky enough to spend much of my adult life in the woods training (larping) on the governments dime. I hope that with these and other videos we can get you guys to be both more in touch with the mountains and more deadly while there. I appreciate every one of you.
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[@rockythao5394]

"If you're not fit, you're gonna die... don''t die" words to live by, quite literally.

[@Xinthisis]

Most people dont realize how difficult carrying a 50+lb pack is. Now add everything else. Real world ends up 120+ extra weight.

[@oof9952]

@@Xinthisis It's a bitch carrying a 50 or 60lb ruck plus I agree with you a 100% that's it's important to stay in shape that the number 1 not matter what

[@urielmartinez2161]

Thanks to guns, even the most shitfucked people are dangerous. Don't underestimate

[@Mav97427]

when he say that ?

[@sacemurakami352]

@@dylanm8132 You’re a dangerous mf brother I need you on my side.

[@TheOutdoorsman790]

I know for a lot of people going out and practicing Recce might be difficult, but something you can look into if you’re interested is hunting, even if you don’t want to kill anything taking a weapon into the woods can give a whole lot of insight about what is comfortable, nice to have. Also tracking game and humans have a lot of parallels, game leaves less sign even. Just food for thought, the guys who feed their families off the land will vibe check all of us with an iron sighted 30-30 with just knowledge of terrain and experience in the woods

[@tacticalmattfoley]

Always have. Those of us who learned woods craft from our Native American ancestors are laughing at this.

[@CraigGrunenfelder]

agree, In my area you can get tags for mountain lions, dogs not allowed. Track that and you'll be good to go. Oh and they double back and follow you around as well for added bonus.

[@PastaLaVista.]

@@ico7909 depends where you are. Some places you probably can’t see more than 100 feet unobstructed. Maybe in like Appalachia or something. Scoped rifle won’t be much use

[@mutiracialbeatdownPB]

Move at night using NODs.

[@Strelok762]

My entire load our has been proofed via hunting, amen!

[@Fred-rv2tu]

In Afghanistan I carried ten mags on my flak one of which was tracers for marking targets. And I carried 25 in my assault pack… just before deploying I read an AAR about a fire team of marines that got killed in Iraq because they ran out of ammo. Everyone thought I was crazy for carrying that much weight until the day came that they were asking me for mags. Obviously that’s too many for this kind of situation but point is carry as much ammo as you can.

[@jeffreyheil9542]

Another good tip is to load the last 5 rounds of your mags with all tracers. That way if you see multiple tracers in a row, you know you’re about to run out of ammo in that mag.

[@warchildwarhammer8837]

As a corpsman I had to carry shotgun ammo , talk about heavy, thank god I got to choose a carbine , still a shit ton of ammo is a good thing to have

[@A74568Z]

1050 rounds. Plus gear in your assault pack. That’s heavy.

[@MbisonBalrog]

Squad should be issued hand trucks to carry extra ammo. Can recycle all the metals and plastics instead of burning them to make hand trucks.

[@Fred-rv2tu]

@@A74568Z 980. We we’re doing 28 to a mag because someone decided that was better. Only other gear I carried was a couple spare AA’s and a stripped down MRE and water.

[@glennbrymer4065]

Im 72, was regular army. Met a lot of fellow vets over the years. Many of them spent real time in the jungle.(Luurps, SF, Rangers etc.) You hang out with them, you learned many little things about staying alive and winning. Things they learned the hard way. Ive watched some of the videos here on YT over the years from other people offering advice and education. Some are not bad, some are trash. The videos And comments from this channel are hands down the best! Some of the comments are chill as hell and offer real world knowledge that is just awesome to read! Thank you all for sharing such good shit! Bit of advice here. Times are going to get weird here in America, you can see it happening. You young bloods need to pay great attention to every word spoken on this channel and then go out and train your asses off and Practice all of it. Carry on. US Army 69/71

[@LarpingSupply]

Former Scout Sniper Section Gentleman: Simple Advice that’s often overlooked. They way you pack your load needs to be shared with your small unit. You never know who needs what when. You never know who grabs what when it’s time to boogie. Your kit isn’t yours it’s the teams.

[@medicchester]

Especially the IFAC, medical gear on the ankle has to be in the same ankle or shoulder/IFACs located on the same place 100%.

[@LarpingSupply]

@@medicchester Truth is weather you get MedVac off the mountain or it’s time to E and E your team may be stuck with your pack or have a limited amount of time to “rat fuck” (not sure the civilian way to say that tbh lol) it. In a recon environment knowing where your Dry Socks and a MREs are located can save someone’s life just the same as your IFAK in these conditions. When it comes down to it you can really MIN MAX your setup when you throw out the “My Kit” mentality. You don’t need 4-6 Of everything and redundancies can really save weight and let you carry the most precious resource… not ammo Food

[@ViewIndepth]

good advice, thank you for sharing

[@calholli]

So about that TP loadout... should I carry 4 rolls, or 6 rolls?

[@LarpingSupply]

@@calholli NEVER carry TP EVER. Listen to me this is 100% SERIOUS Wet Whipes only. FUDD lore is the flushable breakdown faster not sure if it’s true. But WET WHIPES Keep that asshole clean and dry. TP tears that shit up and doesn’t double up for anything. Hygiene is paramount. Wet Wipes weight slightly more but it’s worth it to avoid ass bleeding. Comfort = Speed = Security = Safety Remember LNT LEAVE NO TRACE Human shit is easily identified and can even be identified as friend or foe literally by look and smell. Not making this up. Bury your Shit, bury EVERYTHING and not a bear dug out at-least a few inches down. If you never had heat rash in your shoulders from not washing for a week of hard rucking and a bleeding asshole from using MRE TP then you have not lived though 🤣

[@Glitmo676u]

Former Canadian Recce here. Brown panty hose is a good lense cover for lights etc. Watch out that any tape you use is non reflective. Make sure you have a weapon that is easily carried at the low ready as it is a common position to be carried for recce type movements when in the AO but not in close proximity. Make sure your watch or gloves do not hit and make noise on your rifle. Slings with buckle covers or clip covers are always a good call. Use your gear and rifle hard in training to weather it just like the big man said on the video here. Monitor moving through elevation thresholds as vegetation can change or just disappear and leave your otherwise cam'd up ass sticking out like a grizzly bear in a bar. I am by no means an expert, just some tricks picked up over time. PS: This is my favorite series so far on this channel. Keep it up.

[@davidoftheforest3822]

thank you for your service! I'm in the enlistment process myself, I'm looking to be an Infanteer.

[@drawncept8391]

That panty hose idea is awesome, man. And I second that notion about the favorite series.

[@nathanbenson7761]

Would we consider a 16in a good multi purpose length if you were in the mountains with the possibility of being close to urban environments as well?

[@erwannq]

@@nathanbenson7761 16" with mid length gas block is good to go. But it gets a little too long and front heavy with a suppressor at the end of the barrel.

[@Andrew_NJ]

@@erwannq A silencer seems essential for noise and flash reduction.

[@tg94702]

this is like the 5th time I've watched this video and I swear if Garand did full length feature films about this stuff id watch it over and over

[@ohfnvf6915]

.ชอบครับอันแลก

[@balderedda2060]

You got any idea what brand jacket he is wearing in this video?

[@nathanmartin9640]

❤ same here they should make a movie with him as the main character

[@bennelson3724]

My “recce” gun is a 20inch FN upper with 4x32 ACOG and of course a A2 flash hider. Your point of “longer barrels turn training ammo into duty ammo” is EXACTLY how I feel about it

[@rjcoady21]

my bebe, my quasi recce is my 6.8spcII with a 2-7 ballistic drop optic, 18" barrel because speed kills. also A2 cage

[@TictacAddict1]

I was going to ask the question. I want to build a 20" upper, and your logic lines up with mine. Thanks for the comment.

[@bennelson3724]

@@TictacAddict1 20 inch guns are awesome, currently building an 18 inch hbar upper just because it was the first hbar I’ve found but the 20 inch upper will always have a special place in my heart lol

[@warehousejunkie1272]

@@TictacAddict1got a 20 inch 308 that weighs like 12 lbs loaded, absolute dream, tho shes loud and aggressive

[@MiaogisTeas]

Too bad you no longer have that rifle. Sorry to hear it! The air here in Colorado is not clear anymore.

[@Goldenwithaleash]

Love to see this “How to be deadly in the _____” series continue. Desert, urban, woodland, Great Plains, ect…

[@jordanlarson8310]

Northern Midwest kinda always gets left out of these convos which sucks cause there's a lot of consideration for lack of terrain features, lack of cover depending on location, and environment, winter is way different from summer with load outs

[@Goldenwithaleash]

@@jordanlarson8310 totally agree. I’m from middle Michigan and grew hunting. The difference in terrain and season is a big factor. In the wooded areas, you’d be lucky to get a 50 yard clear line of sight. But in the same area you have large swathes of farm fields where you can see a mile.

[@carlosanderson6725]

Hell yeah

[@Bootyeatter6969]

Urban would be interesting curious what aspects of a rifle he chooses

[@clanorangechicken6648]

how to be deadly in the bathroom, i had to open the window....

[@Bonzeggva]

So, Garandalf, you try to lead them over Caradhras. And if that fails, where then will you go? If the mountain defeats you, will you risk a more dangerous road?

[@Kremit_the_Forg]

Florida?

[@cean42]

Seek medical assistance from New Jersey Elves?

[@augustvonmacksen2526]

Underrated as fuck comment.

[@originalamerican9396]

Digging a VC style tunnel under the mountain?

[@natelax1367]

Far below the deepest dwellings of the dwarves, the world is gnawed by nameless things

[@Fredfredbug4]

Just wanted to say thanks for giving us this info for free. This stuff is absolutely priceless, especially for us civvies.

[@matthewriegner5180]

There are places online you can find the actual military training manuals/info for this kind of stuff also.

[@zach3096]

Did he really say much though?

[@PrimetimeNut]

It’s literally all common sense…

[@damianwilliams7401]

You’re not a civvie 🫡

[@MrEpeeFencer]

@@zach3096 Nope. Anyone who played paintball as a kid already knew this stuff.

[@lolsalot1000]

I hope you havent given up on this series, I for one am truly excited to see where you plan to take it and im excited to learn more about this aspect of bushcraft.

[@vincentcocchio3450]

I have to say this is one of my favorite Garand Thumb video series The effort that he puts in it is incredible Thanks a lot!

[@911treason3]

This will come in handy on The Day Of The Rope

[@justanotherhuman4854]

Damn did you watch it at 20x speed?

[@bigboss7189]

@@911treason3 that day is coming soon I believe. I think there’s a good reason Garand is putting out serious instruction videos now of all times especially. People must go get trained now

[@raplesyrup]

Yup it's pretty lame how many other, more popular, gun channels hardly put in any effort to their videos. This channels more serious and informative videos are miles better.

[@kimbelldify]

@@justanotherhuman4854 its best if watched backwards at .5 speed... He delivers hidden messages...

[@WalrusWinking]

I've been training everyday in the hills and small mountains all around my county since you uploaded the last episode I'm happy you're continuing this series. Greetings from Alabama, buddy.

[@gavinm1347]

Alabama has mountains?

[@WalrusWinking]

@@gavinm1347 Over half the state does and even WAY more large hills lmao. Especially around where I am, where the Cumberland Plateau and the Highlands meet.

[@gavinm1347]

@@WalrusWinking I just googled it and it says you guys have up to 2500ft. That’s not bad but getting to play with rugged 4.5k footers in the white mountains is awesome. Of course that’s nothing compared to out west, but at least it’s above the tree line.

[@WalrusWinking]

@@gavinm1347 Well also around a few miles from me there is a Massive Swamp once you get near the Tennessee. So around me we've got a ton of variety. Gators are no joke by the way. lmao

[@WalrusWinking]

@TX GOLD BULL Yeah, my brother was down in Louisiana for a while he came back up here and talked about how he missed the hills.

[@silvermediastudio]

Quick camo tips: 1. Use a cardboard or paper cutout and paint it first. Place it into the various environments in your area of operations and step back; 50m, 100m, 500m, 1000m. Is it working or not? You might need to repeat this for variation between seasons. 2. Paint areas that catch light dark. Paint areas that are typically in shadow lighter. 3. Observe how light reacts with your environment during typical operational hours (first light and last light). What directions/shapes do the shadows from your environment make? Mimic these on your gear. 4. Just like your body-worn or shelter camo, consider utilizing vegetation. Texture breaks up outlines far better than color alone.

[@AntiATF]

Added note on barrel length in regards to SLLS: longer barrel = more powder burn = less muzzle flash.

[@romeo6696]

On RECCE patrols in Afghanistan depending on the mission I wore a plate carrier vest (garbage) under a chest rig that carried 12 mags plus the one in my rifle. A med kit with tourniquet, two packs of quick clot and field dressing, a couple of hand warmers. In an admin pouch a gps, compass, pacer beads, night vision, IR glow sticks with 550 cord for LZ marking, 2 grenades and 4 m203 rounds in pouches on my chest. In a backpack I had at least 12 bottles of water, a camel back, a couple of MRE's, 20 m203 rounds, a jacket, a ranger blanket and strapped to the outside of the pack an M72 rocket launcher. This was back in 2007 and I still feel the sore back now lol. Climbing the mountains of Afghanistan with that on was probably one of the hardest things I've ever done in life.

[@samuelthecalled6899]

Jesus christ that's insane. Thank you for your sacrifice, that sounds fucking miserable.

[@ab5olut3zero95]

And this right here is why I’m glad to be a Tanker…..

[@calholli]

So about that TP loadout... should I carry 4 rolls, or 7 rolls?

[@op-4]

Agreed, 10th mtn div. 87th inf. Afg 03-04. Takes a lot of training to get ready for those hikes.

[@amosmoses9247]

@Romeo66 Did you ever run dry on 203 ammo and wish you had more?

[@TannerSwizel]

I hope to see 50+ more parts to this series. Extremely interesting stuff. Stuff many of us Civies don't have a single clue about where to start and what to prioritize

[@christianmiranda7237]

This comment should be pinned. Tanner, you said better than I was thinking and you said it first. Thank you. 👏

[@war.room.strategist]

What do u mean? I shouldn't prioritize my cooking kit and seasonings as i fish with my ultralight collapsible pole?

[@DON4419]

Let's be honest most of us veterans don't have a clue about where to start either. Hunting with my Dad taught me more about wilderness survival than the Navy ever did. No trees on the ocean.

[@BigTpetty]

YESS EXACTLY!!! More of this!!!!

[@kipchickensout]

What are us civilians supposed to do with the information he gave us, though?

[@scottlear9162]

Hey, Mike, thanks for the refresher course. I'm almost 50 years old and a veteran of AFSOC. I started during Desert Storm as a PJ and more or less everything else is something I can't discuss on social media. The only thing I can tell you is that after Desert Storm the remainder of my Air Force career was spent in Combat Control (first in last out kind of shit). Both light and extended recon, hunter-killer teams and all of the wonderful fucking paradise that comes with exploring the wilderness in parts of Mother Earth I am not allowed to talk about. So, you teach survival training, huh? I remember going through that training at Fairchild in Spokane, WA. A place I had never even fucking heard of until it became a part of my training. Beautiful part of the U.S.A., though. From one military man to another keep the good videos coming brother. I don't know if you realize this, but you are training the people who just might become the militia as defined in the 2A.

[@Mark-br8yh]

Yes indeed. And I think that's his whole point of doing these videos.

[@kamouflage11B]

Pj is awesome man. Heal with one hand kill with the other essentially if medic and infantry had a kid. Awesome

[@glennbrymer4065]

​

[@glennbrymer4065]

Truism

[@chipsawdust5816]

That school near Spokane has been there for years and has a helluva rep.

[@octopussmasher2694]

A carry handle or forward vertical grip can make your life easier if you want to carry your weapon unslung. On a long hike ergonomics are way more important than low weight. Same applies to your pack, pick something comfortable and heavy over something light and uncomfortable. Pain is worse than exhaustion for your endurance in my experience.

[@lessforloans]

This is an under appreciated fact.

[@jvan6582]

Vertical grip is on all of my rifles

[@dsrrecordsent]

20” HBAR AR chambered in 5.56 NATO with rifle length gas system! I went with HBAR for durability, accuracy and ability for sustained fire! Removable Carry handle with adjustable rear sight and A2 front sight/ full size M16 style with a standard retro hand guard for weight savings and a swirl pattern flash hider! With the ability to add an acog ontop of the carry handle or an LVPO or other magnification straight to the flat top by removing the carry handle! (Or ontop of the carry handle if the mission calls for such a setup it’s ready and the true beauty of the removable carry handle is irons never fail and it’s multi purpose/modular👍) The 20” definitely turns range ammo into duty ammo/rifle length is smooth as all heck and a whisper pickle on a 20” is great for killing flash, adding a bit of velocity and reducing the sound signature when needed! Running an adjustable stock on the 20” retro setup in all matte black allows it to blend in most locations also with nothing on it to reflect light while being adjustable and 5.56 out of a 20” barrel strikes like thunder and is exactly as Eugene stoner intended🫡

[@warmonkey3216]

An acronym that we use in the military to find a good spot hide in or make an Observation post in is BLUES- Blend in, Low to the ground, Unexpected terrain, Evacuation routes, Sihlouetting. Blend in and low to the ground are self explanatory. Unexpected sites means that humans naturally take the path of least resistance so that means anything from roads to rabbit trails you need to find a spot that humans naturally would avoid because itd be too difficult to get to. Evacuation routes means that always have as many ways to get out of the area as possible, preferably in every dirrection so you dont get trapped in one spot. Sihlouetting means avoid any position that will give you a backdrop that would give you a human silhouette when viewed from the side, that means the tops of mountains and ridges its extremely easy to pick out the human outline even far away. A bit long winded but hopefully someone finds it useful

[@DylanKurbel]

Much appreciated

[@DroskiYT]

This series has made me realize just how unprepared I actually am.

[@autisticANDarmed]

Dude same, I have to become 18 fast. I have all the other equipment, just underage.

[@bambamrubble151]

Tell me about it..and I'm not just talking prepared having supplies...shit not even talking prepared skill wise... .Im just talking mentally prepared.. .most of us would be miserable in the mountains even if we had everything we needed... lately I find myself thinking about this when I enjoy a warm bed

[@autisticANDarmed]

@@bambamrubble151 I have knowledge, little to no experience, equipment, but being in shit conditions is fine. I am mentally prepared, and with the equipment I have I could stay warm and dry even in snowy conditions.

[@LeadFarmer_84]

And knowing is half the battle.

[@autisticANDarmed]

@@bambamrubble151 that being said, anyone who’s been in military service or goes hunting a lot is already more set than me. In the end I’m just a soft civilian with gear and knowledge.

[@wilmoney4619]

In Canada in my platoon (recce) we taped beneath our ejection port covers to dampen the sound of the ejection port cover flapping open. Instead of that loud click of it opening it became almost in audible. It’s amazing how loud something as small as that is when you’re trying to be silent.

[@walkerjian]

"don't shove it in the folds" nothing but the unvarnished truth from this man; one does not want manscaped folds, no sirree :)

[@thekerr8728]

Remember: if carrying two primary weapons always equip the AMPED perk for faster weapon switches.

[@jakobroynon-fisher9535]

*has 3 primaries and a secondary still* Is this a glitch?

[@yoboitim7624]

im sorry but if you aint carrying a whole gta weapon wheel worth of weapons you are doing it wrong

[@elgoogsucks9005]

It aint called "Battle Rattle" nothing

[@thekerr8728]

Getting a like from father thumb (who is the same age as me) is all I wanted for Christmas

[@elgoogsucks9005]

@@thekerr8728 I heard that every time someone gets a like from GT, an angel gets his tab

[@dan1273]

"If you're not fit, you're gonna die." Words to live by. Just like the guy that trains with his A4 clone will smoke the guy with his Heckler & Koch MR556A1 that never trained, the guy that took his physical fitness seriously and is able to hike for miles without rest, run for a mile or two without rest, ect. will smoke the guy who sits on his couch all day eating ice cream. Train. Train with your weapon, train your body. Train your mind. Edit: spelling.

[@peterlogan2105]

The slow, the weak, and the stupid die first

[@haleycbrrr]

"Strong people are harder to kill than weak people, and more useful in general." -Mark Rippetoe

[@jamesharding3459]

@@peterlogan2105 So the tacticool larpers?

[@cartersimmons8966]

this hit me like a ton of bricks cause I've been slacking on all forms of training recently... especially In today's political climate, being proficient in recce seems like an insanely useful skill

[@peady64]

Facts. YOU are the weapon. the gun is just a tool of choice. Always be ready.

[@ofaoilleachain]

I love how passionate he is about these kinds of topics. This will certainly come in useful someday, as I do hope to live in Montana in the coming years.

[@tacticaltv_us]

Montana is one of the most beautiful places in the United States! The perfect place to hunt/bushcraft, too!

[@ofaoilleachain]

@@tacticaltv_us Thankfully the Lord provided me a partner from there haha, before I met her I considered Idaho(still beautiful), but oh man does the big sky state captivate me!

[@jaredwilliams2357]

Ex Gladio Libertas

[@jerrymcdonald6236]

My dad was sf Vietnam vet and growing up the first thing he taught me was tracking, "if you can track a deer you can track a man" is what he used to say.. he also taught me the value of a good fighting knife

[@flaviusiacob1558]

Your dad sounds pretty cool

[@steirabua861]

was your dad John Rambo?

[@keyworksales6241]

@@steirabua861 check the name. His dad is Ronald.

[@kbar9638]

I like your style. I used a hammer

[@wsucougarx]

Absolutely nailed it with his closing statement about fitness and training. You CANNOT be an effective fighting element if you're huffing and puffing and ready to pass out. Though you might be trained, how long are you going to last? Don't be a walking garage sale for those around you. Something as simple as walking/jogging a mile or two every other day will get the ball rolling. Just take that first step and the rest will follow.

[@johnjacobjinglehimer4568]

Agreed

[@Deltatwo3]

100%

[@Deltatwo3]

@Nathan Henneka haha so true.. plenty of people with plenty of money that want to play tacticool but would end up taking a quick tactinap 😂

[@theeasternfront6436]

I just preached this to my team of buddies, alot of shoe starring ensued. As I reminded them, in an armed confrontation the first thing you should be doing is running.

[@MikeGuadango]

That’s baloney. I eat a bag of cheetos every day and I spend my last dollar on the latest gear. You can exercise all you want but in a fight I’m coming out on top pal

[@mornords]

As someone not living in the states, but the northern part of Europe I find it difficult to have those types of fire arms you have. After living the army I longer have access to this. So for now my hunting rifle will do. Love the content you are making!

[@jacob_beck]

Which country? Just wondering.

[@pieterveenders9793]

It's harder, true, but you can legally own AR-15's and AK-47's in every Northern European country with the exception of the UK, so if you really want one then it is possible.

[@overcomerarchery2870]

Everything Garand said was true and a wealth of information, but the game changer from having the best camouflauge to being killed is FLIR, Thermal Vision. If I were being hunted I would ask myself, " How can I defeat Thermal? ". At least one out of 12 in an enemy squad will have some sort of thermal scope or thermal monocular. Also Thermal will be used from enemy helicopters and drones. So every minute man should carry some sort of heavy mylar blanket or a wool banket to survive an enemy invasion force using FLIR. Because with the best camouflauge in the middle of a big clump of brush, YOU WILL BE DEFEATED. Any elaboration on this comment Garand?

[@zerberus_ms]

My brother was a sniper in IDF, and he said that he had to use the blanket multiple times, regardless of the intense heat that he was in even without it. It's an oven, but it's an invisible one, and that's all that matters.

[@afseeling]

Remember, the heat you emit will escape around the edges of your mylar. That is a signature you need to work with and try to mitigate and disperse.

[@cybr3948]

He recently made a new video on that exact subject.

[@nicholasfevelo3041]

Ghillie suits will disperse at least some of the heat signature

[@kuan098760]

just drop like a rock and look like a rock you will be good

[@PhantomZAKU]

This series is pretty dope. I’ve been showing my old section guys this getting feedback and bouncing ideas off of them.

[@wilfdarr]

And you're in the process of making a response video... right?

[@PhantomZAKU]

@@wilfdarr Hell I probably could. Really just been getting notes and what not. Honestly probably just gonna be a really long message broken up into parts.

[@khakipeach2128]

military?

[@verysmallcats1374]

@@PhantomZAKU If you wouldn't mind, could you share some of their knowledge with us? That would be awesome. Two heads>>one.

[@tacticalmattfoley]

This dude is a pretty boy med school drop out. Please tell me y'all are going to put him on blast. He wouldn't last 5 days in the woods. He's basically a LARPer.

[@WildernessMedic]

The best series by far. Shit is getting wild... Please do more videos focusing on tactics and applying skills practically . Thanks for doing these.

[@GarandThumb]

All in good time. One thing at a time

[@M.H.D.actual]

In the meantime, if you'd like more check out the S2 underground channel. They have videos on surveillance, mapping tools, camouflage from drones, ect. Basically a bunch of Intel nerds putting out Intel briefs and trade craft tips and tricks.

[@LordPerique]

@Tyreese Swiggsly idk the surveillance state is making urban insurgencies a lot more complicated in developed nations. I think if these conflicts played out under the pervasive surveillance of our modern times, they'd look very different in terms of favored terrain. I'm no soldier, nor geurrila, but sigint is basically my day job and you really dont want to be on the other side of those capabilities in the modern world.

[@ericferguson9989]

@@M.H.D.actual I just stumbled across that channel a month or two ago. Really good content.

[@M.H.D.actual]

@@ericferguson9989 same, i think I went through their back catalog of material in about 3 days. It has expanded my dumb grunt mind for sure.

[@theangrymarine3479]

As someone who is an ex marine and lives in Washington, this video gave me great perspective and what I need to change for myself. Love these videos you put out Mike.

[@UrbTac-7]

This is my favourite video. I appreciate the time and detail you do into these videos. I've learned a lot

[@adamg574]

If you’ve ever been an instructor on an infantry dp1 course and got your section lost in the training area on a recce ex, go ahead and hit that like button (Canadian terms for you Ameri’bros)

[@freezepop6389]

Adam, what would be something you would tell an absolute FNG about Recce that Flannel Daddy didn't cover?

[@striker8paints]

Wouldn't know about being an instructor or grunt getting lost but as an E4 pog I've gotten plenty of butter bars un lost when down range.

[@wilfdarr]

You weren't lost, you were expanding the training parameters. 😉 Also, it's BMQ so I'm sure they didn't mind a little excitement.

[@StreetIrregular]

HA! Exact scenario happened to me a number of times in Meaford and Pet.

[@thekerr8728]

If they don’t know you’re lost; you’re not lost.

[@tonydowd8566]

It was a cold winter's day in the hills of Western KY. I led my team of 8 men up on to a herd of bedding whitetail deer. I was rather impressed with our skills. We were 60 yards out and they never knew we were there. If you think you are moving too slow, slow down.

[@drawncept8391]

Greetings from the other side of the state, brother. Hope you guys (Westerners) rebuild soon and keep those heads up.

[@tonydowd8566]

@@drawncept8391 thank you. I'm actually about 20 minutes north of Mayfield. My heart is broken for all those who have lost so much. Family and friends, home's and businesses.

[@operatpoor9445]

Central KY here. Good to know my brothers to the left and right are in here too.

[@flavortown3781]

@@tonydowd8566 hey man I'm sitting in a TCP in central right now, we are trying to get everyone power much live from the 1-149

[@arieltraasdahl-xh6ri]

Thanks for the reiteration periodically for folks to engage in practices that lend well toward unit cohesion. I forget that a lot.

[@freshjnew]

How can so many videos be nothing but solid advice? Dude is a gift from God.

[@vicnighthorse]

I am not a soldier anymore and thus am watching these just from the perspective of an old prepper that intends to avoid gun fights. I live at 8,200' on the edge of a national forest in WY. On the north slopes, the spruce, lodgepole pine and the corpses of the dead and fallen ones make it so not only are LOSs of more than 100yds infrequent, stepping over the trees and rocks makes hiking very very challenging. When we moved here it took several weeks for us to completely acclimate. One's first week, one has very little endurance. My current primary 10.5"bbl AR fighting rife is 5.4lb without mag and suppressor. With my usual mag it is about 6.6lbs. Put on the big quiet suppressor and it is 7.8lbs and long. Believe me when I say that gun starts feeling HEAVY fast. I am not planning for protracted gun fights as it is just my wife and I and a few neighbors even older than us up here - we just can't do that sort of thing. In a total collapse most of us would die from lack of prescriptions anyway. As just moving up and down these slopes is so exhausting I am configuring a much lighter and shorter weapon - a DBX 5.7 for carry most of the time. It may seem like a pea shooter but getting in gunfights is no way to live and a 4.1lb gun (loaded and suppressed) is much more doable for those of not in our physical primes. I suspect that even a 10/22 lite is a more appropriate mountain 'scouting' gun for us physically challenged non soldier people. I apologize to those who think I have gone off topic.

[@tacticalmattfoley]

Very cool advice and info from a real dude. Thanks, man.

[@nookied3735]

You're not off topic at all brother. We're all in different situations and you have to do what makes sense for you and your family. You brought up a great point, which is to make avoiding a gunfight the priority. If you can do that one thing, you're survivability jumps up considerably.

[@christcarscountry6870]

Interesting point. The mountains can weigh you down more than your gear can.

[@jacobgill4808]

Just keep in mind what rifle do you want and how much mags/ammo if you have to make a last stand at your home or close by...maybe pick the most defensible spot near you and have a plan b..

[@Chiller01]

I like that. “Most of us would die from lack of prescriptions anyway.” Excellent and very real response.

[@Jerkwilkesbooth]

Even if this series ends up as your least popular, imo it may well be the most important. Thank you for imparting your knowledge to us so that we may do our best in the case of protecting our Lives and our Liberty. I've done a lot of training with a group indoors; but now after moving to the PNW I need to acquiesce to a more important, relevant, and likely scenario which would be in the bush. Even if you safely bug-in for a few months, there will be a day where one will have to leave their castle to survive. I gotta quit smoking the cigarettes.

[@woahdude3853]

Best decision you'll ever make. Start a little now, I was smoking a carton a week almost in the army, I felt a trillion times better after quitting. I believe in you

[@sabre8862]

All it takes is one day. Maybe don't cold turkey that shit, but one day is all you need to start a positive trend. Peace to you and yours.

[@mattnsac]

Theres a reason that everyone chews

[@laurenhuber7814]

I quit 9 months ago. It’s worse in your head than it is in reality. Just fucking do it. You can.

[@alfredkabure9455]

Very educative and already encouraged. I had never bothered with the scopes but I am sure they will come in handy when practicing about 2km. Also more Amor more cartridge. This has improved me. Thank you.

[@ThatDudeCobz]

Still come back to watch this series often. Such great knowledge.

[@jacoblewis9514]

I'm a hunting guide in Northwest Montana and a lot of skills I learned from the infantry translate extremely well to this line of work.

[@ofaoilleachain]

Hardly near Eureka are you?

[@wecx2375]

Really like what land nav I guess. *oh basic rifle marksmanship to I suppose.

[@Notfakeultra]

Didn’t know people actually lived in Montana

[@oneballwizard406]

@@Notfakeultra nobody does for long before the bears get em

[@Born-Again-Warrior]

@@oneballwizard406 Which is why I'm dedicated to communicating and controlling the bears. I'll ride into battle riding a bear kitted out with full body armor, and a .50 cal mounted on its back. 💪 I'll also be using packs of wolves as scouts and ambush masters. Lol

[@seanlowry7848]

My squad leader used to make us do a rattle test everytime before we went out. We'd have to jump up and down and do a few rolls on the ground. And then find any sources of noise and 100mph tape or 550 cord it down. Also 100mph tape on all flat metal surfaces. To ensure we were as quiet as possibly when moving to an OP. Also checking the others in our squad for missed spots on skin to camo up. It was a little tedious. But is pretty important for that kind of work.

[@tacticalmattfoley]

This is the best advice I've seen in this comments section.

[@Token_Black_Guy]

I've read about the rattle test in a seal book

[@uglydog311]

Platoon Sgt. also made us remove our slings .

[@TheDoorspook11c]

Yaaasss let the infantry flow through you

[@soonerfrac4611]

Was looking for this comment. This is one of the most important things people forget.

[@marcosablan9434]

Always appreciate your videos and helps me a lot. Know my rifle, train with it, stay undetected. Stay prepared and always aware.

[@shadyp-zv3uf]

I live and have grown up in the Appalachian mountains, been hunting since I was 5. Have at least 200or so acres on three sides of me with a lake, and a driveway that's a half mile long. Love the woods, this is stuff I learned from my grandfather after him being in WW2, he stressed teaching me how to track, trap, hunting, etc. I love hunting with a bow, but getting my rifle setup on point, (besides my 30-06 deer rifle) always keep my camouflage, sleeping bag and tent, plus a pack,pistol, my rifle, and bow ready at all times. Enough to go out anywhere in the US and live off the land if I needed to. Just practice packing up all that and hiking with it... it's a bitch, carrying 50lbs or so through the woods, but great practice and can be a lot of fun as well.

[@mdubc405]

More important than what you wear or what color your weapon is, is having an intimate knowledge of small unit tactics and making sure anyone you’re with is on the same page.

[@abcdefbcdefg8352]

just dont wear a hunting vest lol

[@gerneticut]

I've gone to a few small unit tactics classes and they were worth their weight in gold.

[@Reticulosis]

… and also having fun, and the friends you make along the way?

[@patrickprince7305]

Having a team/squad that's all on the same page and can know the next move without needing to discuss it will save your shit when you need to move fast or quietly

[@BAAest2019]

And even more broadly understanding that mountains make men into children if you’re not properly trained. Even graduating SERE, I’m still not nearly as comfortable as I’d like to be

[@Jcar98]

I’m glad he brought up the point that a Hunting/Deer rifle can fulfill a role in a “tactical” environment. A base model R700, Mossberg .308, etc etc, with good glass and good training will still put a hole into something as effectively. Not as high of a rate of fire/ capacity, but working within your means is nothing to look down upon

[@brandonpeall3912]

As an Australian I really needed to hear this

[@chavezhead]

I've shot my 270 Win to 1200 yards with a 2.5-15x50 Bushnell Forge. Definitey solid skills within 700 yards.

[@stevejones3383]

More effectively cuz. .300 win mag is big chimp energy

[@MitchJohnson0110]

Chris Kyle got most of his kills with a Remington 700 chambered in .300. so that should say plenty haha

[@EasyGravy420]

1 mind, ANY weopon....its a mentality

[@envy592]

All good tenets of LRSU that were practiced and executed to muscle memory in the various field environments we operated in... Good stuff!

[@nigeldeforrest-pearce8084]

Excellent and Outstanding, Especially Your Recognition of a Long Rifle Barrel’s Value.

[@everydayfleettech2286]

Love this series. Side series request. Can you please show basic trapping, hunting and water purification methods? It amazes me how many people think they can run to the mountains with all the latest wiz bang gear to survive and have zero life experiences.

[@tonylutchka7219]

Sawyer mini carry a dropper bottle with chlorine. For trapping in field light weight use snares you can buy them as small for rabbits squirrel and sizes go up to hogs .

[@w_stew8912]

@@tonylutchka7219 that’s true. A few drops of bleach in water filtered through rocks and moss, or even just filtered through a sock can make gallons of water potable.

[@slipknnnot]

@@w_stew8912 nmmmmmmm.... Nothing more refreshing than bleached *sock water*

[@jmyoung513]

@@w_stew8912 only have to worry about smell at that point. And double bag your dropper. You don't want a white spot on the bottom of your pack, and to smell like chlorine for months. I can usually smell the pool on me for days afterwards. And the more I swim, the longer the smell lasts, but it is better on the knees than running.

[@w_stew8912]

@@slipknnnot let it sit for a couple hours and it tastes just like tap water. But cleaner.

[@ChaplainHaladriel]

Canadian Veteran, up in the BC mountains to your north. Great series, great discussions happening here. Times are a changing and those of us with some knowledge need to share it, failing that sharing this video works to. Train hard; fight easy.

[@markevans2725]

I’m just south of you in North Idaho ChaplainHaladriel - yes “times are a changing” be brave and tough ..

[@justinbefort1297]

I'm your neighbor a bit further north in Alaska. If we were to hit a SHTF type scenario I would probably take my 10" 300 Blackout and a 300 PRC into the sticks. Problem for you and I is the diversity of terrain you can encounter in just a small area.

[@superhero6785]

@@justinbefort1297 Hiding in the sticks is great for survival if your goal is to live out the rest of your days in the woods 😉 Others may be able to hold the line, but something tells me that if you're here, you ARE the "someone else" who will take care of business when lady liberty calls out to the hills as she's done a handful of times before.

[@AaronShadowMoses]

Only been into this for a couple of years now but I've learned so much from you. Thanks man

[@TheColtLockwoodRealm]

22:24 sweet Mississippi midnight gospel that way he hit that line was automatically LEGEND EXPRESSED!

[@mrjosh92100]

As someone who spends entirely too much time in the woods I can say that Listening is a big deal (protect your hearing!) This may sound crazy but birds will always try to alert other birds to danger, and birds typically can see a lot more then you can from their vantage point. So next time you hear a bird making noise, there might be another person around. Or it’s responding to your presence meaning you’re doing something wrong 👍

[@areus2016]

One hundred percent correct. Birds, and squirrels too.

[@crewchief5144]

I'm totally fuhked. 80% disability rating thanks to hearing loss, tinnitus, old guy vision, and complete loss of sense of smell that I thought was due to burn pits (turns out it was an undiagnosed TBI, which a bad-ass nurse at Bonham VA pieced together) and sleep apnea -which makes me a heavy breather (I also MIGHT be a few pounds heavier than when I retired). I might as well have lights and sirens going when I try stalking, so I 100% trust what the animals are doing. If I can't see critters, the game's already over.

[@garyc3936]

Do you believe in Bigfoot, they say even the bugs get quiet when he’s around.

[@crewchief5144]

@@garyc3936 Is that like "bus boys come to my house the fish stop swimmin'"?

[@tyjohnston5889]

And if there's vultures circling you then that's never good.

[@jeremymylan9429]

This is going to be one of those series that we'll continuously go back to and reference over the years as one of the most important pieces of media we can consume. Mike, can you do a video of how to get in touch with people and and organize to prepare if you don't have a group already? I feel like any help of that would help so many people (myself included) out a lot! As always though thanks for the amazing series!

[@beardly0121]

Join a gun club for one thing. Talk to people there...

[@coochykilla]

@@beardly0121 i like where you went with that....

[@xmlash234]

Definitely consider talking to some of the folks at the gun store or range when you go. Ask them about the guns they have and see where the conversation goes. Just the other day, I went to the range and this guy and I really hit it off. I let him use my 870 and he let me use his AR. He was cool

[@brianbennett1136]

Find like-minded people. Go to church, the gun range, gun store. You name it

[@HardWoodHauler]

Don't count on videos like this being kept on youtube take notes

[@Fred-rv2tu]

Yea definitely need more of this series please. Been doing a lot of back packing lately…

[@kellysater3562]

Dude.. I’ve watched dozens of your gun reviews, even saw your “teamup” with demolition ranch and Kentucky ballistics. I love those videos, but yesterday YT recommended a different flavor of video from you. I want to say, I love your gun reviews. Those are “neat”. This series, has VALUE. Understand the difference between entertainment and education. Gun reviews are entertaining, this is education. I wish you had made this content when I was 35 years younger! Thanks for the content man.

[@jb8086]

Really enjoying this series, I live in the mountains and good food for thought. Growing up, the father of a good friend was a Vietnam vet. A sniper on LRRP team and he always said you pack the same amount of food and ammo, “Enough to keep you alive.” Then he’d explain it takes MUCH less food than you think and more ammo than you’d imagine.

[@tacticalmattfoley]

LRRP guys were beasts. Much respect to your father for his service. He was a real hero.

[@samuelthecalled6899]

I asked a Vietnam vet how much ammo he carried on average for a patrol in Vietnam. He said if the option was to take food or ammo, you always took ammo.

[@aeropilot8279]

I love how Gerand Thumb just hands out actual genuine advice for stuff like this for free lmao, i love it

[@stormprooftraining2012]

You’re a pretty humble guys for someone who’s done as much as you have and for the amount of training you’ve received. That’s what keeps me coming back to this channel. You don’t act like you have something to prove or like your desperate to be somebody. Great information with a wealth of knowledge. Thank you for sharing and for your service.

[@joshroten531]

Good stuff! Emphasizing the "Big Picture" of operating in a certain environment as well as covering specific pieces is great. My other thought about carrying as much ammo as possible - in remote environments and/or where others getting supplies to you would be a challenge or could give your position away, you want to not rely on re-supply for ammo. Keep up thw good work!

[@WannabeSuperSoldier]

While we are still fortunate to have legends alive you need to get some SOG guys to talk about recce skills. We love to hear their stories but I'd love to also understand their capabilities.

[@libertylivesin1776]

Mason...The numbers....what do they mean?

[@sunnycat69]

Recon by fire 👌🏻

[@GarandThumb]

Yessir, we’ll have many guests on soon

[@originalamerican9396]

Many books out there written by SOG guys. A few that come to mind are Across The Fence, On The Ground, and Secret Commandos. Jocko Willink has several interviews on his podcast of SOG guys and the indigenous forces they worked with.

[@WannabeSuperSoldier]

@@originalamerican9396 Yep, like I said we love to hear their stories but we never really get them from an educational skills perspective.

[@pandafish5926]

In the mountains of the Stan on the Pak border I carried an 18" spr and could effectivley engage from ridge to ridge. It was heavy though, but hte trade off was worth it. later I took a light infantry platoon to NTC and was used as a brigade recon asset. We did recon, counter recon, anti-armor, and interdiction. We were able to win against larger mechanized forces by using the mountains and terrain to our advantage. Get high, cover routes of ingress, keep open an egress, and use direct fire and indirect fire to deny the enemy and canalize them for destruction. Now that i''m retired, I mostly recon the class VI, and deny sobriety a foothold...

[@Qunyc1985]

Yea? What happens when you have no resupply? This is a real scenario coming to fruition .....scan the comments....

[@Christoph-sd3zi]

You guys won? Huh

[@williamt7873]

A light infantry platoon destroying over a company of enemy armor and an enemy infantry platoon in 36 hours was definitely winning for my platoon.

[@pandafish5926]

@@Qunyc1985 Not sure about the context of your reply to my post. I've conducted ops with and without resupply. The cool thing about being a diversely trained Infantryman with decades of experience in varied environments is that you can live without resupply. A light unit can live off the land as well as implement and use captured enemy weapons. I have used AKs in combat. I can operate RPGs, and russian grenade launchers (taught by afghan armY). The most important thing is that I can and have taught these skills. knowledge and the ability to apply it is powerful, but unless coupled with the absolute desire to win, it is useless.

[@muddcnt7138]

Good advice, I will add that the open desert terrain of NTC, and the high priority target list of the enemy you killed (more than likely looking for enemy armor, and not you guys dismounted in the hills) probably added to your success. Heavy cover and concealment in more wooded environments creates a different set of limitations and advantages.

[@johnwickerson7221]

Is it just me or is his voice just amazing to listen to. Not very annoying and loud and not very quiet and inaudible. Great to fucking stop and listen to. Good job man you sound great and you look very tacti cool man. A lot of useful knowledge and great way of making it easy to understand.

[@flobrob707]

Please bring this series back man!

[@DutchTraveler]

I would love to, as a civilian, to go through a RECCE course or training. It seems like something I would really enjoy.

[@LordPerique]

John Lovell teaches a long range patrolling course, 1 Shephard leadership institute does some very interesting group events designed around LRRPs too where they rig your rifle up with blank firing adaptors and MILES (basically fancy laser tag) and perform SUT in platoon sized elements for like 72 hours in the woods.

[@DutchTraveler]

@@LordPerique thanks for the info. I’ll check it out.

[@xsweetxvampirousx]

Z. Minor that sounds fuckin sick. Thanks for bringing it up

[@carabinapacifista5627]

@@DutchTraveler There are some civilian training schools taught by former SF dudes who teach a lot of cool things like long range and even basic sniper lessons.

[@Kilo-Mike]

Read books. And practice on your own or with friends. Take notes on things you would like to ask a trained professional, and keep practicing until your ready. But really just go have fun doing it. I always had enjoyed it, something about it heightens your senses. You begin to see better at night and hear everything, and walk and breath differently. After a few days you smell everything around you. Also when you are staying point at night. Keep your eyes moving, always, and focus out of the corner of your eye. Don’t look at things dead on. If you keep your eyes still you begin to see things that are not there and they play tricks on you.

[@lootgoblin768]

One thing I learned from my time in a Recce troop (UK) is don't be afraid to get you and your kit dirty... Like don't become a walking swamp but wear your kit in well and whatever nature you collect on you, leave it there as long as it doesn't smell godawful but more importantly NEVER go on a recce with fresh smelling gear or sweaty smelling gear, use oderless deoderant, soap etc and as for your rifle theres quite a few of oderless cleaning agents you can use too. People underestimate how important smell is.

[@FT4Freedom]

Baking soda for the wash. Just cycle it twice. Don't eat spices or aromatics. Merino wool will do a lot to keep your sent down and your clothing quiet. Paper towel and 30% isopropyl/water in spray bottle great for cleaning and reducing microbials.

[@tmmccormick86]

Arm and hammer for teeth- the mint found in most toothpaste can be smelled 100m away.

[@davidb9323]

@@tmmccormick86 whoa

[@DB-yj3qc]

Especially the Dumb Asses That use the shit to smell good n fresh. Baking soda is great stuff another note: if you wash clothes in a washing machine with regular detergent it's got UV brightener added.... So you glow in N.V. or UV light. I've found many over that. Sweep a IR light watching with Nod's spot the glow.

[@swedishfishies496]

man i wish this series would get revived, even if its through some paid-access thing from Onward. i live in the mountains and foothills and these videos have been insanely helpful for setting up even basic gear

[@betweenthedimensions8315]

So stoked for more of these Recee vids. Going off trail next week!

[@tiggalong227]

A piece of advice I was given by a royal marine friend was when part of a team check what they use and see if it’s interchangeable with what you use. Be it batteries, bullets, optics or accessories then you can mutually support. It may not be a perfect match but in a pinch it doesn’t have to be.

[@jcwebb540]

Exactly. I'm watching this thinking how perfect a caliber 6.5 Grendel would be for this work. But what good is it when everyone else is carrying 556?

[@Matallen-es5rs]

Interchangeable components between your team is huge but don't spread load essential gear. Redundant as it is, everyone should carry what they need because shit happens. Gear accountability is hard to do in the dark when movement is a must!

[@Night-Owl-]

@@jcwebb540 same. *sad 7.62x39 noises*

[@mothman1654]

​@@jcwebb540 I mean, I just grabbed an 18" upper with exactly this in mind, so I doubt you'll have trouble finding other folks.

[@MajorMiscreant]

Truly our internet Dad, trying to teach us how to survive in the coming days. God Bless you Mike.

[@kylesmith8787]

I love your channel sir. This video is definitely informational and in-depth. That M-16 clone is dope! Keep doing what you’re doing. 🤟🇺🇸

[@realisrealite5554]

I like the serious tone of this video,I listen more and concentrate the more serious.Thanks.

[@HavocHz]

Ngl this is the most anticipated I’ve been for a series in a while, and indeed calls for a solid day of really focusing on where I myself and the small group fall short and to hone in the areas we are overlooking or lacking. Looking forward to the knowledge to come. Cheers.

[@stickfighter1038]

Strongly agree that for mountain terrain, a longer range rifle in say 300 WM should be somewhere in your team. A light weight Steyr 300 WM or similar bolt action is really not all that bad to carry on your back in a proper setup and give you reach. Paracord is great for a quiet sling setup. Enjoy this topic and series because it is relevant to both military and civilian applications.

[@carloshernandez2561]

I was considering 6.5 creedmoor for a DMR set up. I grew up in appalachia and could see the use of have something longer range but not too heavy.

[@jordanlarson8310]

Get a proof research or a Q rifle in 300win mag? Some 5-6 lbs rifle to carry around would be nice

[@iLLeag7e]

knowledge of how to move and survive in one's immediate environment is always worth pursuing if you are a human. Those who forget perish first, history shows again and again

[@davidb9323]

Does WM have less recoil than 30.06?

[@jordanlarson8310]

@@davidb9323 no lol but better ballistics and more impact force at range

[@codysaldivar4270]

High temp wood stove ceramic spray paints would work great on cans and not smoke or burn off as it is made for such environments. Stove bright paints come in a host of different colors. Just a thought/option

[@berner]

I think it's funny how many people think "Awe dude the M4 can do anything!" and I'm thinking "Except perform better than an M16 at longer ranges"

[@kylemellow8586]

Most people get there hunting kills under 200 yards most people won’t, can’t or even understand what it takes to hit something at 500 yards plus. You can hand a fully set up mk22 MRAD or 50cal to 1000 shooters I bet only a few could hit something beyond 500

[@torrvad5608]

Exactly. In Ukraine rn, the average distance of engagement is 400 to 500m. Even in urban areas. That means that barrels under 16" would not only be sub-optimal, but mean you're a dead man walking. NATO should get back to 18-20" barrels ASAP for ballistic advantage.

[@JCTheSniper15]

Certainly doesn't perform better than the M16 at long ranges but I shot the Marine Corps rifle qualification many times with both the M16 and the M4, and the M4 is definitely capable out to at least 500 if the shooter is.

[@reaperthemad8731]

@@torrvad5608 lolwat

[@kellysater3562]

Long range I’d use my deer rifle. I’m usually good for a 3” group at 800 yards with my .30/06. (165 gr bt)

[@tmmccormick86]

For camo, I recommend painting just a solid base color, like FDE. Gray is also an extremely useful color- there are more than 50 official shades and it's nearly impossible for the human eye to differentiate between them all. With a solid base color, I prefer to wrap it with burlap fabric that I've spray painted with whatever color pallette I need. AK Operators Union has a great how to video on his page. The burlap allows me to change the camo of my rifle as I move between terrain types or when the weather changes between summer, fall, winter, etc.

[@TheICE1024]

50 shades huh

[@tmmccormick86]

@@TheICE1024 man I didn't even think about that before I rounded down lol

[@jacobl6714]

neutral shades aren't something that're seen in nature though? I 1000% don't know better than you : p I just know that black, gray, and white don't occur in nature so maybe a battleship gray? One with just a teeny shmuts of blue/purple lol

[@tmmccormick86]

@@jacobl6714 grays do occur in nature, but what's at play here is that the human eye struggles to pick gray out when it's used as a shading color between 2 other colors, say FDE and OD. The eye will interpret it as a darker shade of one or the other and the brain will see it as a natural shadow.

[@jacobl6714]

@@tmmccormick86 oh I see what you mean, yes that's true and I'm curious to know how much that may help. I think a lot of people have seen that thing that went round facebook/the internet a while back where two squares that looked like they were different colors had a gray line drawn through them, showing that they were the same That's really interesting tom, I've never thought of that in a camo application. So you'd do what, gray stripes over different splotches of color, or have gradients maybe? Just wondering what you think would work best man, and I admit I was mistaken btw, you're right neutrals like gray do occur in nature, turns out I was thinking of complete black and complete white. Apparently Magenta is one of the only colors that isn't in the world naturally, I wonder if a really desaturated shade of that could be used in camo lol

[@Blakewater0326]

AMMUNITION: The point of ammunition carried is a big one to keep in mind. Going off the topic of load out as mentioned in the previous video, you need to carry at least the minimum combat load out of an infantryman, being 6-8 magazines. Coming from 17 years in Marine Force Recon, we often carried 12 magazines based on lessons learned from Vietnam and more recent events. You aren't likely to use your full load out in one engagement, unless you are the type who only prescribes to micro rigs because of social media. As a ground reconnaissance team you are your own Quick Reaction Force (QRF) and your own fire support. Often you are operating beyond the range of ground based fire support systems, and Close Air Support (CAS) relies on your ability to call that support to your position in the first place. Long range communications often require static positions to set up the antenna for them, then presuming you can get the word out you are likely looking at 30 minutes before air is on station, and then you will have limited play time based on the platform. Meaning you need to have your shit wired tight to run as many missions as possible and get rounds on target before your support is low on fuel and needs to bug out. You must also make the assumption that if you are compromised you will be hunted. If you're being hunted you can expect to roll in and out of contact until you can be extracted from the area, and that could be quite a ways. Therefore you should carry A LOT of ammo for your rifle on you. You can have some in your go-bag in the ruck, but consider your overall balance and the procedures for that versus having that ammo on your fighting load. Additionally consider smoke for screening, incendiary for destruction of equipment and creating fire barriers between you and a pursuing enemy, 40mm munitions, and frag grenades. Obviously not all of those are truly applicable in a CONUS sense of the problem between accessibility to them and likelihood of actually needing them. For the military guys that is absolutely a consideration and should be part of your SOPs.

[@JohnDoe-mp1yn]

what chest rigs, belts, etc. do you recommend?

[@Blakewater0326]

@@JohnDoe-mp1yn for chest rigs I prefer MOLLE platforms with built in magazine storage. I used to run ESSTAC Boar series rigs which gave me 8 mags built in and allowed me to setup the remaining load out as I wanted. The best chest rig for you will depend on your needs; what is your total load out? For belts, my favorite belt so far is the Ferro Bison. Lots of good belts out there using the two-belt system of load bearing and liner belt. If you want to run full belt kit then I would recommend some suspenders just to help the weight from pulling down and keeping the belt where you want. That could mean suspenders to the belt, or suspenders for your trousers.

[@joeyfredrickson9827]

That’s a lot of good insight, thank you

[@enigmakashman3501]

Do you carry more ammo on top of the 12 mags (360 bullets) to load empty magazines, or is 12 mags the maximum?

[@Blakewater0326]

@@enigmakashman3501 just the one mag in the gun to bring the load out total to 13. Some guys would split the load between their rig and their go bag in the ruck. The idea of such a large load out is to not have to re-jam mags with loose rounds. This is for conducting ground and deep ground reconnaissance where there is little to no support in the event of compromise. Infantrymen will often carry spare ammo in bandoliers in lieu of extra loaded mags.

[@jarhead3038]

You've got the best advice and demo channel on the internet. Way above the so called everything experts here.

[@2kOlay]

I'd also add how important it is to make sure your set up is secured. I think you had some back attachments but I've seen countless times where guys have taken a SLLS stop only to realize their PEQ, light, or optic fell off. You can easily use parachute chord and tie things off. Usually not the fault of the mounting system but maybe it wasn't tight enough and they hit something or fell down while on the move. I've seen this the most with flashlights on rifles to the point where I'd maybe even recommend carrying a different light source like a headlamp on your kit. Not to mention how many times I've seen someone knock off a light cap or tape and accidently ND their flashlight (talk about an anti-recce set up). Also the DMR type rifle is huge imo. Carrying a multipurpose gun in a higher caliber that can go an easy 800-1000 meters. Carrying a bolt action on your pack is extremely unwieldly and I would do that as a last resort if I knew I had to set up a sniper hide or something

[@ballisticintegrity9741]

I’m loving the serious nature of these videos. There is a time and place for humor, but shits getting real. Thank you Garand Thumb

[@Mike-gg7ip]

in what way? most of what i see is manufactured outrage

[@ballisticintegrity9741]

@@Mike-gg7ip Mike don’t you feel things are off? This country is divided big time.

[@Mike-gg7ip]

​@@ballisticintegrity9741 i agree, but the country is divided because a third of the country eat active measures for breakfast, are completely addicted to it and think they are some kind of hero spending most of their time fantasizing about killing their countrymen over masks and reading to kill a mockingbird in school

[@ballisticintegrity9741]

@@Mike-gg7ip Thanks for the dialogue. Do you have solutions because I don’t.

[@Mike-gg7ip]

@@ballisticintegrity9741 not really no. to be honest there are some people i know who have bought in and i've given up on engaging because there seems to be no reaching them. it's truly scary how effective psyop can be. the violent threats i've heard on recordings of school board meetings in my county are insanely frightening. i wish i did have some semblance of solution

[@sciloj]

There's a great technique in camouflage that is utilized by the majority of large animals living in environments similar to PNW woods (greetings from roughly 70 miles to the South, by the way). Look at elk or moose - they have darker back and lighter belly, legs. It helps to break their massive bodies up in half and to counter the effect of shadows. And, their legs blend better with lighter grass while the body blends with darker foliage and trunks or branches. People have better options because we can put on a darker olive jacket and lighter brown pants, for example (or Multicam arid pants and Multicam tropic jacket, whatever works best). It might seem counterintuitive when you look at yourself in the mirror, but it works great outdoors, with some careful thought, of course. Same could be applied to rifle camouflage, and even larger equipment, because parts that generally receive less light, can be touched with a lighter paint.

[@luisalmeida777]

Exactly! Just remember UK SOF in Afghanistan/Iraq wearing desert pants and greenside jackets/smoks. And not only for camo purposes, probably, also disrupt the apearance of a uniform/BDU, making identification more dificult. Just my 2 cents...

[@sciloj]

@@luisalmeida777, the shape disruption is an interesting effect when the pattern is done correctly. As the video says, a lot of people go into too small details. They do it because they intuitively feel that it has to blend with all those small details of the environment when observed at a close distance. But they fail to create larger tone transitions that matter when an object is observed from a greater distance. If an object appears solid-colored when you step away from it to a reasonable distance, you paid too much attention to small details and no attention to large ones.

[@luisalmeida777]

@@sciloj true! Its kind of like a painting, its made to be looked at at a certain distance, not right on front of your nose, or you will fail to see the big picture, and get stuck in those small details!

[@alexcanada5086]

Similarly winter camo is used that way in the open full whites skirting treelin white bottom dark top deep in the woods full dark open with shrubs white top dark pants

[@sciloj]

@@luisalmeida777, exactly, except for with camouflage, you can make different "paintings" to be observed from different distances. Say, you can paint the rear and the front parts of your rifle in different hues for an observer 200 yards away, then add smaller spots for an observer who's much closer. That's exactly why DPM and Rhodesian camo patterns have huge spots and smaller streaks over them.

[@kryptonicknight4912]

I want to be a seal but I'm a felon for being homeless, trasspass felony. So I still train I the mountains of Colorado and I have learned a lot with you. Thank you. Colorado has some cults problem and will be hunting me soon. So I do very much need this.

[@Johnnygunz916]

Love this series. Would love more like this

[@burn1bob356]

I’m a Veteran 19D and I was so excited to see my favorite Gun Tuber make a series about recon in the mountains. I was in a mounted Scout unit on BFV’s and we worked with tankers in their Abrams tanks and with air support from Air Cav and their Kiowa Scout choppers. There was also a platoon of mounted mortar vehicles M113’s. President Trumps former National Security Advisor was my Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel H.R. McMaster. Prepared and Loyal Sir. I sat in my barracks room immediately after a funeral for a friend and watched the Twin Towers fall with half of my platoon in the room watching with me. We all knew what it meant for us and what was next.

[@patricklannigan2541]

Recon Marine from the 90's here. I'm in Wa. state also. Great videos, keep it up!

[@ericanewalt4009]

Another AMAZING AND INFORMATIVE video...Thank you sir you brought a lot to light...

[@joldidjeridoos6026]

I helped my daughter with her school project of making a rifle stock camo. We harvested local leaves and bark. We made rubbings on tracing paper with a half of a carpenter's pencil (gets every detail). The tracing paper was then taped onto cereal box cardboard and cut out with an Exacto. Three versions were made of each camo palette, cutting a background, foreground, and detail layer for each color of Krylon camo. Takes some time, but looks very natural.

[@hunterprokurat9909]

Thats a cool school then mine gives suspensions if youre a hunter damn near

[@Fenian420]

Amazes me how many schools will currently neglect survival teachings. Maybe the dude isnt a hardliner, maybe the guy just wants to ensure his youngings have skills to survive??? Besides hunting/camouflage, mortgages and finances... jfc.

[@crewchief5144]

That's a damn good father right there. Feel like adopting a 50-year-old? I have a "school project" coming up that involves hydrostatic dipping but I would rather do it like that.

[@agmsmith4079]

What school?!? I want to send my kids there!!!

[@aaronsanborn4291]

The actual U.S. Army Warfare School is at Ethan Allen Training Center In Vermont run by the 3rd Battalion 172 Infantry Regiment (Mountain) of the Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine National Guard. I served as a Scout for 9+ years and as Infantry for 6+ years. I served in the Mountain Company in Maine my last 3 years. We had M-14s for our DM role. Green, grey, & brown are excellent colors for a mountain/northern rifle.

[@fakecubed]

How well do ARs do in the cold northeast states? Anything special you do with them around there?

[@jayneubauer3401]

I went to BNCOC Phase 2 there. Great place to train. Reserves in Maine.

[@dominickbessette8124]

Hey! I'm gonna be an 11C with 3/172 after I come back from basic in November, I'm super stoked but also not excited to be coming back from benning to a new england winter lmao

[@stephenklemchuk2492]

Trained there a few times. C trp 1/172 Cav VT. Inf scout. Just to clarify to, thats the Armys MOUNTAIN Warfare School. One of 3 places in the US that trains mountain warfare. The others i belive are Alaska and Maine. Been to Bog Brooke Maine a few times too.

[@dominickbessette8124]

@@stephenklemchuk2492 Yep, A highly respected school in the army, SF guys, Rangers and the like go through it all the time, I know one of the guys who used to run it, Lt Col Monette, former 19th SF group guy, pretty cool dude

[@MrMacroJesseSky]

I have the blue force sling, it’s fantastic. And as I was recommended, it comes in both nylon and aluminum hardware. The nylon is cheaper and very quiet as opposed to aluminum

[@boxingdonk8647]

Awesome video as always man! Serious but yet entertaining 👍

[@lakesideproperties2617]

This is undoubtedly your most valuable series, filled with great insights and examples like why not to paint your suppressor and minimizing reflective surfaces. Please keep expanding this series.

[@mrcreami]

Being former recon, alot of this brings back the memories. Don't forget your stalker suit :) just think mett-tc and that will help you choose what you need to bring with ya.

[@nicholasquintero1080]

What's ur thought on those small hooded cloaks for ghillie suits?

[@styxrf]

1st 2d or 3d?

[@JohnJones-op8uf]

Keep this series going! Thanks Mike

[@cliffdickson6524]

Big round of applause to the channel Garand Thumb. I was in IDF's Infantry some time ago. I thought I knew it all. Thanks Garand it's been a humbling experience learning all I was not familiar in my service time by following you guys. Defenently RECCE I was never part of wood training or unit. Stay hostile.

[@xavierdionne6514]

So you were part of the genocide? Not something to be proud about

[@Matallen-es5rs]

I was fortunate enough to train with some elete forces in my career, one of the biggest skill sets I took away was detailed observational skills. Pausing a moment to scan an area and really pay attention to what is there can save your life. All it takes is a squared off corner of a piece of gear that doesn't look natural to shine a perverbial light on a threat.

[@Yaboifootchie]

This is why anyone wanting to be serious about this stuff should try hunting. Preferably for something like deer, turkey, or bear. You will quickly realize how much you stink, how loud you are, and how impatient you are.

[@Blakewater0326]

LIGHTS: Having a fighting rifle is great for all mission types. Something to consider though, for actual reconnaissance and surveillance work, is if you actually need to have a weapon light mounted at all. Mike made a great point about covering the light, even if you have one of the Surefire heads that can switch to IR, as reflection of light off your equipment is going to be just as much concern as negligent discharge of light energy. Something else to consider for both weapon lights and your IR aiming and illuminator will be those negligent discharges. Lots of people have night vision and lots of cameras can see IR. So your normal fighting rifle setup of pressure pads isn't always a good idea on recce. Instead consider switching the setup to direct activation by your support hand thumb. Still cover and protect the lenses with covers to mitigate light NDs and cut down your shine. Very often I altogether removed my white light for what we called "greenside" work, or going on Reconnaissance & Surveillance (R&S) patrols out in the bush: jungle, desert, mountain, forest, swamp, beaches and hinterland. If working primarily in "blackside", which is to say urban environment (named that way because our shooter's kit used to be all black), then I would keep my gun setup in a "normal" fighting rifle setup because those tools are more likely to be used. There were times that we conducted R&S with the intent of ambushing enemy forces, and so at times I left my weapon light on with an IR filter cap taped on. The point is to make sure your gun is set up to how you need and don't carry extra crap out with you. It can get you compromised and also work to just weigh you down. Ounces equal pounds, and pounds equal pain.

[@doejohn8674]

Thank you for your perspective, I was also wondering about the need for white light in a patrol mission in the woods.

[@Blakewater0326]

@@doejohn8674 I would only have a white light if we had a "be prepared to" tasking of vehicle interdiction or we were prepared to roll into the assault force during pre-assault recon & surveillance. If just a ground recon or amphib recon/ surveillance mission the there wasn't a need for white light. Surefire Vampire lights are great in that regard because you can set up your blaster for a multitude of tasks and keep the light on IR to mitigate light NDs.

[@doejohn8674]

@@Blakewater0326 Thanks for your detailed reply!

[@byronnlangley]

White light is great if you come into contact with someone in a building or cabin and need to clear that area in the dark but but you need low light training to be able to execute that kind of stuff correctly.

[@byronnlangley]

White light is great if you come into contact with someone in a building or cabin and need to clear that area in the dark but but you need low light training to be able to execute that kind of stuff correctly.