Why Conduct Patrols... Part 2 of The Patrol series

Patrolling considerations...

There are so many scenarios that could play out and we are all going to have our own situations, circumstances, and plans in place. So what may be some things to consider when conducting patrols?

In any environment, you have to know your goals, obstacles, field of play, possible allies and resources, windows for success, and potential for dynamic cause-and-effect based on the local environment and population.

Ultimately METT-TC should dictate gear and tactics. So what is METT-TC and how can you utilize it in your planing and considerations...

METT-TC: Mission, Enemy, Terrain, Troops available, Time, and Civilian considerations

Mission: Immediate local evacuation? Getting home? Bugging-In? Even a simple emergency could be a planning factor for hunkering down or immediate evacuation. While your primary mission may be to bug-home, you might have a more immediate mission of just evacuating the downtown, ground-zero crisis event. Your mission may have phases or goals to focus and prioritize actions and resources. This is where we should apply our fighting kit. Are you just trying to E&E home? Are you doing some scouting after a couple weeks following a major crisis to assess damage or identify potential resources? Are you doing a security patrol around the perimeter of your property? Are you doing a recce on a nearby disturbance to assess any threats to your and your homestead? Is it a short or long duration patrol?

Enemy; what threatens your survival?: More appropriately, what threat are you facing? Weather, civil unrest, evacuation, loss of communications, etc.? The enemy is anything that can hurt you: landscape, bugs, lack of water, exposure, severe injury, predators (four or two-legged), fire, CBRNE attacks or "spills", active shooter, or any personal limitations; don't just think of some two-legged predator as your primary enemy, there are a lot of threat vectors that can negatively impact you.

Terrain (and Weather): Urban, rural, work-location, vacation location, homestead/property, wooded, open, undulating terrain/mountainous (add in seasonal impacts). Consider travel distance, routes, obstacles, goals (water sources, shelter options), weather impacts, cover and concealment, high-speed avenues of approach, alternate travel routes, choke-points, water crossings, constricted mountain passes, population densities, etc.

Troops Available; understand the "troops": Well, more likely family or friends...are they prepared, self sustaining, any training, what's their physical fitness level or limitations? You want to assess and know everyone's capabilities, personalities, and skillsets. You may have the most advanced and tier-one combat kit, but if you're mission involves bugging home with a few toddlers and a baby in a baby carriage...your planning will change dramatically.

Time (available): I still think the "72-hour" window for most emergencies is a good starting point; either 72-hours for the best chances of rescue, or about 72-hours before a crisis turns into chaos. Still, time could be overall mission-focused, or specifically focused. How much time of daylight (is there a local, state or federal curfew in place)? How much time/distance for the next water source? How much approximate time before that pending storm hits? How much time can you sustain yourself on your own supplies?

Civilian (Public?) Considerations. I think this one is extremely appropriate outside of the military application. You need to understand your local demographics, population densities, geopolitical tendencies, identify and assess areas of potential high crime, level of law-enforcement presence, assess rules of engagement, annotate the public's responses, what intel are you gathering from your radio broadcasts, etc.? You should also assess any emergency directives be they local, state or federal.

[woodlinetracking]

On target good 4th gen patrol video and part 1 was a good introduction. The only thing I would add if I may is using sign cutting and tracking to help you on your patrol Keep up the good videos my Ohio brother God bless.

[SurvivorMetalMan]

Spot on brother! Know everything you can about your property. More people should be doing it, and getting ready. Excellent video!

[timlongstreet]

The red queen . Off with his head!
My father used to write a false name on our Posted signs. Then ask trespassers thier names and 99 percent of the time they used that name. We where both volunteer game officers and we tolerated zero bullshit on our private property or neighbors.

[domenickdecocco]

The use of a drone to survey your property is a great idea. You can use that to give yourself a good idea what to expect prior to patrolling on foot. Element of surprise knowing you can creep up and flank from a different direction.

[Patriot-American]

Jay... Good video on the need for patrolling, surveillance and preventing unauthorized penetration of property. In a SHTF scenario you covered why what you have is what other will want. This is a proven fact. I enjoy your channel and practice these protocols.

[mickmacy]

When we or me is at our cabin, I'll walk the property lines to see what looks different. At least once a trip, I'll don the LBV and carry a rifle or shotgun to feel the weight and use my gear. Upon arrival, I check all looks on the property for obvious signs of tinkering. We have 4 trail cams looking for two legged game messing around the gate and cabin.

[joeyperez]

Assymitrical preparedness recommended you, so far outstanding.

[universallaw]

I have 6 acres of hilly rocky Missouri land that i walk about 4 times a year, how often should i patrol ?

[Synthgunner]

How’s it going Jay? I remember that video with the decapitated deer, remember very distinctly because I was listening to it while I was at the gym and I had to stop my workout to come over and see what was going in on video