Why We Decided to Reprint Military Manuals

[@MattLitkeRacing]

A physical copy is always going to work. Printing books is a great idea

[@taylorbagley1962]

And you can always keep it in your pocket

[@omicrondec]

Except in the rain. Wind is a bit problematic, too.

[@MattLitkeRacing]

@@omicrondec is the battery going to die? This the screen going to break? A book is much tougher than electronics

[@Bustamaru]

Printed books cannot be easily deleted, edited or censored like the digital ones. Also in case of a nuclear armageddon or global blackout you'll be able to access and transmit the information.

[@Mr_Contract________x]

Thanks!!

[@LarsBars17]

Mike "Garand Thumb" Jones recommended the book "Search and Rescue Survival Training AF Regulation 64-4" and so I picked up a copy. It's exactly as you show in this video, huge top and bottom margins, small font, faint maps, etc. I would love for T.Rex to give this the reprint treatment. I feel like it's a comprehensive reference guide for survival, shelter, foraging, trapping, hunting, signaling, land navigation, evasion, on and on. I feel like this will be a great hardcopy reference to have when the internet stops working.

[@jackjmaheriii]

See if you can find a Barnes and Nobel (green cover) copy. It’s a banger.

[@LarsBars17]

@@jackjmaheriii sweet did someone already remaster it? I will check it out

[@stroodlepup]

+2

[@ragheadand420roll]

64-5. Close.

[@ragheadand420roll]

apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA365888.pdf

[@RvnKnight]

I'm seeing tons of requests for intelligence, weapons, medical, etc, but I haven't seen anyone ask about the construction, plumbing, and electrical manuals. Being able to maintain infrastructure in a grid down situation, or even make infrastructure somewhere, is a very useful thing to have.

[@_Mr.Sush_]

From the USMC MCI Listings. These would be a nice addition to the start of this. MCI0335C - Infantry patrolling MCI0366B - Military Operations In Urban Terrain MCI0324G - Operations Against Guerrilla Units MCI0033 - Fundamentals of Marine Corps Leadership MCI001A - Principles of Instruction for the Marine NCO and a few from the 8000 series MCI8017A - Weapons MCI8014A - Introduction to Warfighting MCI8015A - Warfighting Tactics MCI8012A - Leadership

[@steakwilliams4448]

Curious about operations against guerilla units. In your mind, why is that important for a civilian to know? Genuinely asking. I don't know much about these military documents other than what the title implies

[@keklordomega3009]

@@steakwilliams4448 if you were a guerrilla fighter wouldn't it be good to know how the force you're fighting is trained to fight you?

[@gungusmoo]

I would buy the shit out of these reprints

[@braxtonrussell998]

@@steakwilliams4448 There might be bad guerillas someday too. Look at whats happening in the appartment in colorado.

[@_Mr.Sush_]

​ @steakwilliams4448 Short answer is more knowledge the better. Long answer is actually covered in the other comments. I personally have been doing a lot of reading on 4th and 5th generational warfare. 4th being a major player in the "right now." Having at least an intro into the doctrine that major forces use to fight what would essentially be you if that bad day comes. Or you having to deal with Terrorist who come over the boarder or other means to get to our neighborhoods is good info always. Units in this book - Characteristics of Guerrilla Warfare - Offensive Operations - Tunnel Systems - Booby-traps - Convoys - Combined Action Programs - Road Blocks the units cover how to deal with Guerrilla units employing these tactics and how to do them. Knowledge for both sides of the coin.

[@pwapwaster]

FM20-22 vehicle recovery. This book is gold for moving heavy things and improvising fixes. Not sexy but definitely a skill that is most.

[@kenofken9458]

If I could enter prepping with any military training of my choice, it would not be combat. It would be Seabee training.

[@Austjamlew]

Print all of the old stuff. All of it. There’s a huge value in having a volume of books that is the same size color shape etc. Teat it like an encyclopedia and offer volume sets

[@brycefields9294]

I agree

[@berryreading4809]

What about the thousands of unnecessary manuals? Almost every issued anything comes with a manual... (made up example:) Would you rather have a manual from the issued camouflage netting package or a manual on the basic techniques of camouflage and concealment... What about the more advanced versions of that manual that covers more than basic MK-1 eyeball camouflage techniques, like from cameras/NVG/thermal/satellite/drone/aircraft overhead? Do you want one based around advanced individual techniques or for a squad with vehicles? Now which specific military vehicle? Or one specifically about multiple vehicle types?... There is a manual for literally everything! It would cost hundreds of dollars in shipping costs just to get free DOD surplus manuals mailed to you... I get your point, but "All of them" is just not feasible. It will have to be versions on specific subjects at certain levels, but also not focused on similar system families which makes a good chunk of the manual much less useful for general civilian needs... Basically just have to select a few top contenders of widely applicable information to select for printing... If it was already printed surplus filling up several warehouses or an online database where each individual could pay to print exactly what they required containing all of the manuals things would be different... But we're talking about not a typical publisher publishing optimized versions... 20 variants would be impressive enough, I don't expect 2-20,000 manuals to be available though 😉👍 (probably should've used something like medical care/equipment related manuals instead of camouflage... but hopefully my late night ramblings made some sense?! 😆)

[@roflchopter11]

They're doing a bunch of retypesetting to make it easier to consume, so it needs to at least be prioritized.

[@thomasmartell1629]

There used to be books covering food preservation, wood gasification and converting equipment to run on it, produced and distributed by the government during the great depression and WWII. I can't find them anymore, they should be brought back and preserved.

[@seeriktus]

Oooh I'd be interested in this, simply for civvy purposes. Good simple instruction manuals for food preservation are hard to come by, they either expect you already know how to do it, or are just cooking ideas meant to look pretty and make money.

[@greenbook67]

US Navy NEETS modules. US Navy Seabee rating manuals. With them you can learn how to build structures, airfields, camps, treat waste water, purify water, and more. Versions from the late 90’s to early 2000’s before the DoD dumbed down the training

[@hornedgod2873]

Excellent suggestions. There’s a lot of subjects to cover outside of combat.

[@VeganHippy70]

NEETS are legit.

[@kenofken9458]

@@hornedgod2873 Surviving in any prepper event will be 99% logistics, not combat. The people whose strategy is to get into lots of armed confrontations won't have to worry about logistics. They'll be feeding the carrion themselves within weeks.

[@hornedgod2873]

@@kenofken9458 I agree, but we also need to think beyond just a prepper event as well.

[@kenofken9458]

@@hornedgod2873 In any scenario practical knowledge of engineering and building and basic infrastructure will serve you well. I knew a guy who back in the late 60s when everything seemed to be unraveling, he thought about becoming a prepper. They were called survivalists then. He considered all the usual things: Having lots of guns and ammo, hoards of supplies etc. In the end, his strategy was to become an HVAC guy, or boiler engineer of some sort. He explained to me that if you had guns or food or other material supplies, anyone with more or bigger guns could always take them away from you. Skills are yours forever. He figured that if everything went up, whatever group or warlord emerged on top would still need people who knew how to run the critical systems and wouldn't dispose of them or treat them too badly.

[@TheArmywrencher]

Some military manuals to consider. However, selection would depend on what eventually or skillset you are studying for. STP 21-1 Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks (Skill Level 1) FM 2-22.3 HUMAN INTELLIGENCE COLLECTOR OPERATIONS FM 3-05 ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS FM 3-18 Special Forces Operations FM 3-21.38 Pathfinder Operations FM 3-24 INSURGENCIES AND COUNTERING INSURGENCIES FM 3-55 INFORMATION COLLECTION FM 3-55.93 LONG-RANGE SURVEILLANCE UNIT OPERATIONS FM 4-25.12 Field Sanitation TM 9-8000 Principles of Automotive Vehicles for the very basics.

[@johnking4221]

Field Sanitation is the right answer

[@TheArmywrencher]

Interesting. I had to edit this comment several times to get all of it to post.

[@TheArmywrencher]

​@@borrago,exactly! It isn't as cool as direct action Infantry, Ranger and Special Forces stuff.

[@isaacbotkintrex]

​@@TheArmywrencher I dunno, not having your feet rot off is pretty cool in my book. Having functional skin is the very definition of high speed low drag.

[@Mr_Contract________x]

TMs on M1A2 and BFV M2A4 would be nice too, gotta keep those tracks humming.

[@EndoftheBlock7224]

I was a Battalion Comms NCO and specialized in tactical systems like HF. I always had a couple hard drives loaded with technical manuals and a tiny laptop. The military had amazing technical manuals to cover everything including very sophisticated technical field expedited techniques

[@EndoftheBlock7224]

I learned HF, antenna theory, electromagnetic energy and EMR frequency etc.

[@gabrielsierra6890]

I do HF comms for CAP, where can I check out those documents? Thanks!

[@TheJBerg]

I would say a combined HF Field Manual print would be a top seller. HF is one of those capabilities that will be around forever. It's 2024 and even with satcom, HF is still king of regional communication in a contested environment. Edit: Additional info for TREX people who might see this. People who are read up on HF are like real life wizards from D&D. It's such a simple skill anyone can learn, but you have to read a lot of things had have a ton of reference material either on hand or memorized to be truly effective and successful. An all in one HF manual put together by people who really understand HF would be a literal brick of solid gold.

[@EndoftheBlock7224]

I downloaded them on NIPR net, military warfare site. I left in 2019 so may be different. Took FOREVER to download terabits of info. I destroyed those drives because most of that info was not for public on non clearance holders. Most TM's can bee googled. Just start Googling Army Technical Manuals and use them as reference for more

[@EndoftheBlock7224]

I downloaded them on NIPR net, military warfare site. I left in 2019 so may be different. Took FOREVER to download terabits of info. I destroyed those drives because most of that info was not for public on non clearance holders. Most TM's can bee googled. Just start Googling Army Technical Manuals and use them as reference for more manuals

[@Robert-cd5zr]

The smell of a newly bound book and gunpowder. Smells like radical freedom. If you weren't on a watchlist, you certainly are now. After all, if you think guns are dangerous, wait until you see what ideas can do... keep it up

[@theKashConnoisseur]

The only thing that scares the government more than an armed citizen, is an armed and educated one.

[@jackdawes8577]

Add holes for a notebook! I LOVE this and applaud you for it. One bug problem... now i have to buy new copies of books I already have because the quality and page numbers alone are worth it.

[@adamhall7227]

Some of the old 40s and 50s Ball Canning manuals would be great

[@jamesbridges7750]

JSOM-Journal of Special Operations Medicine- there are tons of the earlier ones that were government published and available.

[@jamesbridges7750]

​​@@borrago JSOM isn't protocols, it's individual articles, procedure deep dives, and case studies submitted by providers that have shaped today's protocols. They do produce Field Guide type books( ATP-P, RFR, Ranger Medic, PJ medical)but that's not what the journal itself is. You should check them out.

[@jsternberg]

Would love a kind of solid field medical manual that could be referenced in an emergency. Partly because I just think it’s fascinating.

[@dcusator]

I agree, as a physician I would love to have the additional knowledge set of war zone medicine.

[@alexandermacon65]

Civil engineer here, not a tactical manual but a civil engineering design one which has the same issue you outlined in the video (small pages old pdf, etc.). The original Navy 1982 Foundation and earth retaining structures design manual. They’ve since updated the soil mechanics design manual (DM-7.1) but not the earth retaining structures one. NAFDAC DM-7.2 Earth Retaining Structures and Foundations (1982).

[@JohnLothe]

You guys are a gift from God. Love you all.

[@5W4Y3R]

I love where this company is going.

[@whit3rabbit13]

I recommend Map Reading, Land Navigation, and Survival FMs. I know the Army has some good Field Manuals on those topics and suspect the Marines have something equally good...albeit with shorter words and tons of pictures. Sorry I had to, Marines. Love you bros.

[@paulmarshall1143]

As long as they're written in crayon. I love me some O.D. crayon for a snack... seriously though, Land Nav is a good call. Easily lost skill without routine practice.

[@whit3rabbit13]

@@paulmarshall1143 Great point. I'll admit, I'm buying most of those manuals from Trex because I've forgotten a ton.

[@mrmongo656]

I'm all for the full size manuals, but also a select number like the Ranger Handbook in a spiral bound pocket edition would be greatly appreciated. Obviously, there’s nothing equal to full on in the field, crawling through the mud, the blood, and the beer, training, but these manuals coupled with partners to make videos for online training would be helpful also. (Hint. Hint.)

[@active4delta]

I’m a big time typesetting nerd. I started using LaTeX to type up my graduate physics notes, and my professors all would ask me for a copy at the end of the term because they looked very pro

[@nvrumi]

I’m another LaTeX geek and that is my preferred platform for document production.

[@PARAN0IDxGERBIL]

You guys should do the really popular ones that have been reprinted a gazillion times too, just cause it’ll match the rest that you put out and look cool on my book shelf

[@isaacbotkintrex]

I do really like matching books on a bookshelf.

[@odinn4195]

The internet is accessible by everyone your books are only accessible by you, super solid guys. I have built my library with a ton of history books too and classics because society wants us to not pay attention to what actual history and great work looks like. Field manuals are worth their weight in gold imo.

[@asherlito3801]

Ammunition making By George E. Frost needs a reprinting. The wealth of knowledge in this book is great. I worked as CCI/Speer's engineering intern this summer and this was part of the mandatory on boarding reading. With ammo making having such a rich history you need to almost have decades of experience just to do anything however all the guys with the knowledge are dying out so being able to reprint the work that was written down is very helpful in preventing this valuable information from being lost to time.

[@derubersoldatx]

the internet archive has it. look it up. I found it and I am going to print it.

[@NicholasSpencer-f6u]

I have been collecting old manuals from antique stores over the past year I would love anything that involves field survival, survival drills (like what do to do with wet clothing in a battlefield) and CQB You guys are on the right path, keep it up

[@NurserySunFun]

Consolidated book of the multiple MEP-802/3/4 generators ; MEP-1030/40 generators ; electrical micro-grid design and setup for base camps.

[@adow7104]

If y'all buy one of those Espresso machines(or any other old industrial equipment) I'd love to help y'all retrofit it. I don't have a lot of skills that I can use to help out our communities, but industrial controls systems are one thing I can contribute.

[@tyler_actual]

MCDP1. Every Marine officer gets and studies this book. If you made an enhanced/value-added version you’d likely sell them at a regular rate to young officer candidates preparing for selection and captains headed to captains course

[@Monty_FPV]

I've never actually bought something from TREX Arms, but I am for sure getting these and gifting myself some holsters now. Perfect way to bring exceptional value to something simple and for a reasonable price.

[@freelancer762x51]

The ranger handbook would probably be a good one. Soldiers have always recommended it to me

[@freelancer762x51]

Well sh!t

[@WholeSomeHomie]

10:17

[@jonathanrogers9961]

​@@borrago which is a shame. I had to do a bit of searching to find a decent up to date copy and its still only just ok. A t-rex copy would be one of guaranteed quality and i would buy one.

[@elliottdmann]

Love the philosophy behind this move. I made a wish list of the books on your reading list in the hopes that I can read a few of them.

[@jakewebster5084]

I'm a buyer! This is an area I think you guys should expand. It's a smart business decision. I'll start building a collection as soon as they hit the shelves.

[@UndisciplinedCowboy]

I have an old Army manual I bought over a decade ago that is about Suppressors/Silencers. As a machinist; this made me really understand the how and why of cans. I recommend that (whilst not condoning making your own cans to skip the paperwork and save the trees lol). Guerrilla Warfare and SF manuals are also a solid choice

[@bluecollardave1636]

can you share the TM number?

[@Dredge277]

Here are a few of my recommendations I think would be cool/useful to some TC 3-37.51 URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TC 3-01.80 VISUAL AIRCRAFT RECOGNITION FM 3-24 INSURGENCIES AND COUNTERING INSURGENCIES ATP 6-02.53 TECHNIQUES FOR TACTICAL RADIO OPERATIONS AR 25-6 MILITARY AUXILIARY RADIO SYSTEM AND AMATEUR RADIO PROGRAM (the last one is probably not great for print but an interesting opportunity)

[@TheArmywrencher]

I can't like your comment enough. Some of your suggestions overlap mine, but others are very interesting choice I had overlooked.

[@mattbertrand9496]

Homeschool curriculum for history, government, civics (the study of how people interact with government, not the car)

[@isaacbotkintrex]

The T.Rex Arms reading list, also on the site, is basically this.

[@active4delta]

Though it’s not a bad idea to also teach them to work on Honda civics 😂

[@sirg-had8821]

A Honda Civic will outlive us all. Couldn't hurt to teach the kids.

[@ifyouloveChristyouwillobeyhim]

We used the My Father's World curriculum, it was pretty good.

[@julian23561]

@@active4delta Honda Civics, dirt bikes, three wheelers, side by sides-- they are valuable knowledge.

[@parkman0311]

Sniper's Manual , counter insurgency, tactics etc

[@Outlaw_Wrath]

If you want digital copies you can go on Army/Navy Outdoors and get them for free. I have 40 different manuals saved into PDFs. Even though physical copies have more value.

[@sdsh3p]

The pages are good quality and there's color plates! I'm pleased with the publication. So, my wish is for you to make another run on those other titles that have sold out.

[@wickwilkinson4208]

I would like to echo requests for comm manuals. (from all the different services) Combat engineering information like building bridges, lifting stuff, building defensive positions, etc. Yes, large format, quality production. Quite a project. Thanks!

[@UsernameKhosh]

The sniper manual taught me more about long range shooting and the use of scopes than anything else.

[@cbbbbbbbbbbbb]

Absolutely keep making physical books, but these are worth selling as PDFs or ebooks as well. I have a full size (13") eink tablet where I keep all of my manuals (for cars / planes / workshop stuff). Physical book with an ebook backup is the way to go.

[@candyman__87]

Would love the PDF/.epub add on feature.

[@T.REXLabs]

Which tablet do you have?

[@cbbbbbbbbbbbb]

@@T.REXLabs I have the Onyx Boox Max 3. A China made product that undoubtedly phones home if you let it. I have never connected mine to wifi / Bluetooth and only transfer files via USB. However, it is the only device I have used daily since purchase in late 2019. I can't even say the same for my phone. It's wonderful but definitely not secure. It is my notepad / journal / sketch pad, and goto for reading full size documents. Sheet music on a full size device is also particularly nice. I would recommend the Supernote A4x2 when that comes out. Same size and form factor but I have more trust in the software and company. It would probably be best to treat it as insecure as well.

[@fletch18291970]

The blue jacket manual would love a copy of that

[@ink-og-neatola-tea-no732]

Sold out, please print more

[@konicu]

"Principles of Personal Defense" by Jeff Cooper would be highly recommended. I was lucky to get a copy a few years ago and would like to get more to distribute to friends.

[@khaanadian9648]

That one is great. Highly regarded book.

[@TheTrueNorth11]

That’s really not a technical manual.

[@kevinroberts5140]

US Army Small Unit Tactics Handbook FM 3-24.2 Tactics in Counterinsurgency FM 3-18 Special Forces Operations FM20-22 vehicle recovery TC 3-21.76 ranger handbook I would print them all the same size and have it categorized like an encyclopedia. I know you said you'll never reprint the ranger handbook but if these are all the same size I would urge you to do it. Have an entire collection- you'll sell more especially if you can keep them all in stock.

[@pollen8]

6x9 fits better in an EDC or bug out bag. A water resistant cover would be ideal, as well.

[@ironteacup2569]

Environmental manuals. Desert, jungle, urban, arctic…. Found urban fighting to be good. How rounds impact different materials is cool to know

[@TheAnimal191]

KOCOA! Lots of people talk about bugging in but dont understand how to actually defend territory. I think it also introduces an element of situational awareness

[@tebone33]

Army FM 3-25.26 map reading and land navigation. All reprints I've found are subject to the same shrunken xerox problem.

[@eddeddesc3717]

A guide about defense as a small group like a family would be great!

[@djdrack4681]

Awesome to hear. I hope there is 'no holding back' on the types/content: whether it be army survival, or MANPAD xyz Operation. anything... I think its important 'somebody' provide the content (since gov doesn't want you to have it = you should have it). You also mentioned while back about having a couple 3D scanners... you should consider IF you can get technical/CAD docs on various 2A items publishing those in a book of them, so that gunsmiths have a unified book containing them: if you need to repair, or fabricate new part from scratch it'd give you the details needed to do so.

[@Visigoth29527]

This would be more of an addition to the reading list, but the Foxfire series of books would be a good addition to such a library.

[@Magswap]

Actually, this is a phenomenal idea!

[@dougjimison5026]

First aid and wound care, wherever sanitation and water filtering. Specificly from an SF team train the trainer perspective. These are the things I am looking to for in my library. I love the idea and will be watching the website to see when the ones you have done come available.

[@RustyStanberry]

As a Technical Writer I feel this pain. And FYI as an E3 I had to type all the accident reports in my group.

[@NPzed]

FM 3-05.70 (FM 21-76) Survival Manual I recognize its been printed before but adding it to the uniform collection in the same set as your other sets would be awesome. And an extra for each vehicle/go back.

[@TheLocalNative]

A fun book that if you can make/update one day that everyone should have is the dangerous book for boys. That was one of the best reads and leaning books I had growing up

[@isaacbotkintrex]

Yeah, or the original American boy's Handy Book.

[@torg2126]

It should be updated every decade or two. The copy I got as a kid was last updated around the turn of the last century

[@thelastlatchkeykid8466]

Isaac is so good at this. Brings so much needed credibility to the T. Rex brand.

[@OCCULTPREPPER78]

Huge improvement, I'd love to see all of the available manuals republished by your company's skill

[@T.REXLabs]

That's just hundreds and hundreds of books...

[@johnmontoya226]

I love that you’re promoting print media. I don’t work where printed them but I’ve been in the printing industry for over a decade and I’ve definitely been seeing a decline in orders over the last year. I’d be happy to oversee the binding of these books in my department. Keep it local as long as you can but if you get to a point your local shop can’t keep up with production please consider Hudson printing company here in salt Lake city Utah.

[@Spessforce]

Special Operations Ground Mobility Operations is one of the best manuals to reference

[@SeanMcGown]

That's a sharp publication. I feel your pain for doing reprints. Re-laying out stuff is brutal but can be helped by judicious use of stylesheets. I can see that the layout person knows what they're doing. Good job.

[@stupidityonly478]

Thanks Isaac!

[@RandyMan696]

Darn all sold out! And your shooting book I personally was trained by Joel Park! He has been a USPSA Grand Master a long time! And OMG he is the best instructor I’ve ever had! His heart of gold literally is geared towards teaching others!!!

[@andrewhenley2161]

I would REALLY like to see you print copies of books that are relevant to our community but have been blacklisted or are no longer available. Edit: also earlier editions of certain books that haven’t been edited to erase history or support a narrative. You have the ability to save history.

[@Ironsight_Army]

The anarchist cookbook?

[@DieselRamcharger]

@@Ironsight_Army most the shit in the book is disinfo and will get you fucked up if you try to assemble according to their directions

[@Ironsight_Army]

@@DieselRamcharger lol, i was just trolling..

[@MoreEvilThanYahweh]

@@DieselRamcharger Most versions, if you wanna be technical about it. Since it's long been a catch-all title for countless online documents

[@housegoth]

@@DieselRamchargerthe copies that are sold today are exactly as you say. The original printed copies hold accurate information.

[@chadlowery1098]

Gabe Suarez had a very good series of books published by Paladin Press that are out of print and it’s growing more and more difficult to find them. They are very good at explaining different tactics and methods of gun fighting for the individual as well as small teams.

[@johndunbar2393]

PDF's are great, but I'm all about hard copies, to add to my library.

[@davemo04]

Rockin! Going to keep an eye on your expanding library!! Love the idea of community involvement. Anything on basics. Firearm manuals, land nav, basic engineering, small unit/squad tactics, radio etc… Maybe extracts from certain manuals on critical tasks on weather resistant paper. Example Army FM 3-25.26 map reading and land navigation. Just cover basics of map features, scales, reading, compass orienteering. Then sections on things like intersection/resection to find your own or a distant location. Maybe even smaller chunks on laminated sheets for small, super critical bites of info? I have a small collection I would be willing to work with you guys to digitize the ones that are not available electronically already.

[@gabrielsierra6890]

You start with something! Please reprint the FM 21-76 Survival Manual!

[@RetUSNdude]

@T.REXLabs Improved edition is FM 3-05.70 SURVIVAL Also another manual that maybe useful regarding survival AF Handbook 10-644 Survival Evasion Resistance Escape (SERE) Operations

[@orion3253]

Oh come on man, it looks better with a manila cover and it's already THE most reprinted and civilian proliferated Army manual ever.

[@andrewcampbell7011]

First Aid field manual in the 8.5 x 11. A plasticized spiral bound edition would be amazing

[@clockworkbadger2363]

Nice! TREX is absolutely enhancing it like boss.

[@piratewhoisquiet]

Oh man, I've wanted to buy products of yours for a while already but this is going straight to first position on my priority purchases. The issues with civilian market manuals you bring up are exactly what has prevented me from acquiring these otherwise invaluable resources, and despite only being a minute into the video I'm certain I can trust T-Rex Arms to understand these issues and resolve them. 100% guaranteed sale right here.

[@kentchristen6048]

If you think knowing how to type and use Word is bad, don't let them know you know how to use PowerPoint or Excel either. I have both a 1000-hour PowerPoint patch and a PowerPoint Ranger tab (I'm retired Air Force who spent a lot of time with the Army).

[@T.REXLabs]

Thank you for your service.

[@WingWalker7]

I'm not going to bother listing specific manuals by service, but rather the general topics covering survival, field medicine, urban operations, scouting & patrolling, ect. I will say that of the manuals that I have been issued from the military, I always valued the ones that were the standard 6x9 or pocket size. They easily stuff into a cargo or enlarged pocket to go anywhere with you easily. The other ones that I absolutely loved when I could get my hands on them were the ones printed on weather proof material/paper, although those are exponentially more expensive to produce, they were great to have when you actually needed ref material in field conditions that were sometimes less than kind to regular paper products.

[@angelthegunslinger6019]

Yes. This is incredible. Great idea.

[@jefflowe8803]

Hey Man Great Initiative with this video, Thank you for the efforts!!! I have a couple of ideas TC 3-25.26(fm3-25.26)-Map reading and land dav- sorely lacking in this GPS world TC 3-2.60 Visual Signals TC 7-100 irregular opposing forces (spotting how to ID and operate as-if needed) TC 4-02.1 Basic first aid (self explainitiry) TB med 508 Cold weather First aid give some good reasoning for cold weather injuries and how to treat

[@WartimeFriction]

These editions would have been great for the army FM 5-34 Engineer Field Data, and FMs for Survivability, Mobility, and Counter-Mobility would have been great when I was still in. Every copy I could find always sucked

[@daniellore2961]

When I was about 12 a Bible printer came to our church to show a new product for the mission field. It was a device with the Bible on microfish. It was seald, mostly i think, with a magnifying front to view each page. The light sourse was an acrilic bar at the top that focused light into the body of the unit. Page selection was via dial knobs or sliders on the edges. I'm not totaly clear on all of it. It was about 6×7 inches by 2 inches thick, approximately.

[@30wrdy]

Would be awesome if you guys eventually reprinted the entire Paladin Press catalog.

[@calvinthayer2894]

Ragnar Benson's works must be reprinted

[@exsperginatus837]

2nd (Amendment) this.

[@the_drunken_gunman7457]

Paladin press books, the B-52 tips, and then some foreign manuals if they're available

[@lonebikeroftheapocalypse9527]

While not tactical I recommend the Foxfire series. Appalachian know how.

[@jackdawes8577]

And Loompanics

[@steved5871]

Physical books are great to have on hand just in case the power goes out and you want to teach others some new skills. Love this idea and plan to add a few to my bookcase. I just found my old (from '77) Marine Corps Guide book. I couldn't be happier.

[@charlesl5226]

I don’t care, all the shit people try talking and putting on TREX and Lucas, no one, absolutely no one is doing more or making changes within the industry like you guys are. This is great. The next books I’d say should be any medical pub the marine corps puts out, Coms pubs, and field craft/ survival pubs.

[@theKashConnoisseur]

Lucas attracts the drama on purpose. Isaac obviously has his head screwed on a little straighter and isn't trying to alienate any part of his audience because it's counterproductive to the larger goal of creating an informed citizen defense industry.

[@armygunsmith]

The work your team put in to improve the quality is fantastic. I ordered one of each, looking forward to these.

[@noneoftheabove0]

A lot of the foundational documents from American history are likely public domain. The philosophy behind what makes America America may be helpful.

[@noneoftheabove0]

The Constitution and Declaration of Independence, select Federalist and Anti Federalist papers, excerpts from Common Sense and Tocqueville's Democracy in America. America is a nation of ideas and ideals, and this may be a cool way to jam a crash course into a single book.

[@wquon2007]

Pocket references would be handy. I'd like an ebook wiki that has hyperlinks in the book to belreak down topics amd references. For example; how to build a house, but you can back track it to how to find and primitevely mine ore to make the tools to do the things.

[@erichexter6631]

it would be worth maintaining a wiki of the reading list with links.. maybe yall could host a version that would not be changed or removed...

[@chadlowery1098]

There are many important military field manuals that are open to public use and distribution that are greatly in need of type setting work as you have described. Army TM 31-210, FM 21-76, TC 31-29A, FM 3-19.15, FM 21-11, FM 4-25.11, and many others contain extremely useful information but usually lack essential clarity. Please consider doing what you have already done for any of these manuals or publications that will be essential in the event that civilians must engage in the activities of soldiers in order to survive. Perhaps in addition to a physical copy for sale a digital download could be offered as a precursor to a physical copies release or as a free add on for a physical purchase or a minimal fee to purchase just the digital copy.

[@Booneboarder]

A larger and cleaner print of FM23-10 would be nice. Still have mine from FT Benning days, but larger print would be nice.

[@kevinong1306]

Easier on aging eyes… 👓

[@A_Random_Person27]

Something I saw on another brand was that they made a New Testament that fits in a mag pouch of a plate carrier placard. It has a soft loop cover in multicam. I thought that was a pretty neat concept. It's always nice to have comforting words with you in times of trouble. Printed on water proof paper, like rite-in-the-rain would be good for that. Since you're redesigning these manuals before printing them, outside-the-box concepts like that may be a way to make a separate version the books more portable & durable, at least for some of the smaller manuals. One for the indoor use, one for actual field use.

[@TheTrueNorth11]

Not useful at all.

[@A_Random_Person27]

@@TheTrueNorth11 To you or to someone other than you?

[@TheTrueNorth11]

@@A_Random_Person27 It’s not a technical manual and has no real world value. Period.

[@A_Random_Person27]

​@@TheTrueNorth11 You are in the minority with that opinion, bro

[@musketmerve1436]

@@TheTrueNorth11 It could be argued, it is the only text that contains any value. I pray your eyes are opened before the time we are given runs out.

[@derptothemaxclearly]

You're already sold out lol. Keep going my dood. Personal wishlist: U.S. Army Field Manual 3-21.8: The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad

[@Sam-pg9sr]

I think things just as, if not more, important than military manuals will be things like home vegetable gardening manuals, manuals on various ways to purify and store water including rain water, how to trap field dress butcher and even cook north american game animals, a manual on home remedies and old world cures for illnesses, basic mechanical repair and electrical manual, how to create a network of people, opsec manual for both online and irl etc etc. The tactical manuals are important, but 99.99% of people need to be able to learn life skills that our ancestors knew. For the majority of people, these skills aren’t being passed down. Some people fantasize about the guns blazing scenario but the more likely one will be slowly dying of dysentery, or infection, dehydration, starvation, or getting scooped up by whatever regime because they went full tactical grey man with 5.11 pants and Oakley’s trying to start up a network of people. We need manuals on various skills needed to live independently.

[@divaanddress]

A brilliant insight. The Boy Scout Field Manual, (not the more prevalent handbook) circa 1978 would be a good addendum to your practical ideas.

[@derekneil6238]

Nice work! I am familiar with so many of these issues you have pointed out and apparently corrected. This is an excellent addition to the citizen defense industry.

[@engin3ar]

We need a scalable way to self publish books. Not just military manuals

[@LVbibby]

Thanks for taking on this project! I'm a consumer for printed manuals for reference value let's go. Others have copious specific references those seem good best of luck God bless!

[@codmaniac574]

Please reprint the Reluctant Partisan Vol 1 and 2!

[@stillnessbetween5103]

Infrastructure and manufacturing books are always useful. There used to be a company called Lindsay's Technical Books and they reprinted lots of old tech manuals and apprentice workbooks. I bought many of their offerings before the owner passed away.

[@musketmerve1436]

My vote - the most important book of all. God's Word. I recommend carrying a nice print copy of The Geneva Bible 1599

[@jordanwerzinski1574]

The Religious Beliefs of America's Founders by Gregg Frazer is a great book for the reading list. Dr. Frazer exhaustively researched the Founders' writings as primary sources and he let's them tell their story of what they actually believed.

[@danroffee4904]

I authored 8 "DIA Country Handbooks" in MS Word 🤣

[@isaacbotkintrex]

Thank you for your service. Also, I hope you used paragraph styles correctly!

[@2centsbear638]

Love the Trex Labs channel more than the main Trex Arms one. Good info, interesting projects, no weird/uncalled for opinions. Will pick up some if they come out at a good cost

[@omnomnomnomnomnomnom]

Please reprint TM 31-210

[@isaacbotkintrex]

Keep watching

[@StanDrumz]

The importance of this effort would be difficult to overstate. As a Senior Technical Writer with a degree in instructional design and a background in creating technical manuals and illustrations, I applaud you for your approach and attention to detail. As a self-described 'manual junkie', I devoured every manual I could get my hands on when I was in the military. I was equally struck by the rich and generally favorable quality of their written content, that was too often offset by the appalling visual quality of their degraded illustrations and antiquated visual layouts. As for recommendations, I suggest four: - 1.) Rolling the clock back to the manuals covering the fundamentals for moving, shooting, and communicating, but the versions published just *prior* to the digital age. What would benefit citizens the most if, for some reason, we were thrown back into an analog world where cell phones and satellites were overloaded, unreliable, or compromised? - 2.) Any updated manuals that capture lessons learned since 9/11, especially regarding the urban, insurgent, and asymmetrical environments that have been the norm for our enemies. - 3.) STP 21-1-SMCT "Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks". - 4.) A matched pair: The classic Department of the Army FM 21-26, "Map Reading and Land Navigation" and (stick with me on this) it's lesser-known companion, FM 21-26-1, "Map Reading". FM 21-26-1 is not a manual per se, but an 8.5x11" manila envelope companion packet used in conjunction with 21-26. My 30 May 1975 version contains samples and training aids: A city map at 1:12,500 scale; a pictomap at 1:25,000 scale; topo maps at 1:50,000, 1:250,000 and 1:1,000,000 scale; a photo of a plastic relief map; and samples of pictomaps, topo maps, photo maps, and DOD joint operations items. Some are overprinted with callouts in red that aligned with key features called out in the instruction. How could this profitably translate into your modern day project? Don't copy FM 21-26-1 verbatim. Instead, replicate its purpose. Update the packet with single-sheet samples from the most common maps readily available today to civilians, such as USGS Topos, Rand McNally-style Road Atlases, the DeLorme series of Gazeteer topo books commonly found in truck stops, even common highway maps found at rest stops. For these, you don't need the entire publication (and the copyright hassles). Instead, create original art of representative samples *in those styles* from public data, and print them 17x22 quad folded, with callouts that correspond compare-and-contrast style to a laminated training aid reference card sized to fit in a field jacket pocket. The reference card would link the FM 21-26 manual to the modern real-world civilian examples, and a person can take the reference card with them in their EDC or bag as a pocket reference. The Army created A LOT of robust laminated pocket-sized training aids, and we were encouraged to use them in the field. They were very handy. The manuals are very important, but the quick-reference memory-jogger in your pocket right when you need it, can save your butt.

[@sampsonlll1825]

Don't forget the most important one, the King James Bible. A printing that's very sturdy, that could last being carried in a plate carrier, subject to the elements would be GREATLY appreciated.