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Ah yes, waiting for the perfect storm, one of the biggest mistakes any Maggot can make.

No, I can't go to Appleseed yet, because I don't have the right rifle.

No, I can't go on a patrol yet because I don't have any camouflage BDU's

No, I can't go out and exercise because my shoes aren't good for that

No I can't foot patrol my AO because I live in the City

No, I can't go on a bicycle patrol because I don't have a rear rack and saddlebags yet

ETC., ETC., ETC

If you have ever made an excuse not to do something regarding KISSATA, you have obviously never read the Manual!!! What part of Keep It Simple [don't be]Stupid are people missing. The inspiration for this post comes from many directions, some from this web site, and some from some recent e-mails that I have received. But regardless of where it comes from, this advice fits into almost everypart of your life.

Here is the absolute minium list of equiptment you need to begin participating in KISSATA, pay very close attention because this is going to be quick.

#1, clothes
#2, shoes
#3, KISSATA Homeland Defense Manual
#4, water carrying device
#5, a map of your AO and a marking device

Did you get that? Ok, i'll repeat it again; clothes, shoes, water carrying device, KISSATA Homeland Defense Manual, Map of your AO and a marking device. Yep that is it, pretty easy no? Let's go over each one in depth, afterall, you have to get it right.

Clothes

In the vast majority of AO's within the United States, clothing is required. I know, I know, I don't make the laws, but clothing does have some advantages. For one it helps prevent sunburns/frost bite on long patrols of your AO.

Shoes

Shoes are very helpful while on patrol, and prevent injury, not to mention most public places encourage there use (except Sea-Tac Airport ). They don't have to be much, though I do not recommend flip flops or most sandals, but you can get away with gym shoes as long as they are comfortable to walk in for hours and hours.

KISSATA Homeland Defense Manual

This is a no-brainer, but you may be wondering why it's 3rd on the list, I refuse to patrol with anyone, wearing nothing but the manual!

Water carrying device.

We are living in the age of bottled water, so don't tell me that you can't go out on patrol because you don't have a canteen!

Map of your AO and a marking device

Ha, you thought you had me didn't you! You thought I was going to say you needed a fancy schmancy specialized custom made topograffic waterproof map with UTM grids and all kinds of other neato keeno stuff printed on it and some kind of special marking device that no one can read what you write except you (unless of course they are using the light of a full moon refracted through a bottle of mead that was made from honey harvested from bees that only flew on the south side of the mountain). Nope Maggot, you missed again. I don't care if you rip the map out of your phone book, as long as it covers your immediate AO, though a simple gas station map covering your AO would be a bit nicer.

The marking device? Just as simple, a pencil or pen so that you can add important things to your basic map. Things like potential targets that need to be watched more often to help prevent an attack. How about potential water sources to top off your empty water bottle, landmarks, big culverts, bridges, fences, the fastest route to objective A, the steathiest route to objective B, etc etc. This map will be your first note book and you should take it seriously. Make yourself a little code so that all you have to do is say put an "X" on a certain block that is a bit rough or full of meth-heads, etc etc. You want to be able to look at this map in the comfort of your home and determine proper routes in emergency situations. Careful observation and proper note taking will save a lot of time and possibly your skin, by allowing you to avoid obstacles such as that 6' fence that you didn't know about or that guy that let's his less than freindly Rottweilers loose everytime his motion lights kick on. Just remember though, you casually take these notes, and not in front of the area you are taking note of! You do not want to stand in front of the house at 1313 Mockingbird lane at write down what cars are in the drive, how high their fence is, how many dogs, etc etc That would be a good way to get that map shoved up your ............., or draw negative attention to your walks, remember, you're not casing the neighborhood too cause trouble, you are making observations to help prevent wrong doing in your AO. And don't forget to be freindly! it's your AO, someone sees you walking by, smile and wave, YOU ARE THE GOOD GUY, MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS THAT!

But what about all those lists??? What about 1st line gear and 2nd line gear, and I still haven't bought my sniper rifle yet, waa waaa waaa.

Take a deep breath Sparky. Those lists are important, especially if you are leaving civilization to train for a spell, those lists will keep you alive under many varying circumstances, IF YOU KNOW HOW TO USE THE ITEMS ON THOSE LISTS!!!!! But don't make the excuses that you cannot do anything until you have all that "stuff".

The most important AO that you will ever patrol is the 4,014,489,600 square inches surrounding the place you call home (AKA; 27,878,400 square feet, 3,097,600 square yards, 640 acres, or just the plain old 1 square mile), whether that home sits in the middle of nowhere or it is in downtown Chicago, THAT IS YOUR IMMEDIATE AO! You should know every square inch of your immediate AO and all you need to do that is go for a walk (oops that was a slip, I meant "Patrol"), and pay attention to your surroundings. After a week or two of daily walks, you will know who belongs and who doesn't, and that is a major piece of intel if TS ever HTF. These daily "Patrols also develop commitment on your part and instill some self-confidence (funny how knowledge has a way of doing that), and they give you a little exercise.

Now that you have shown yourself some commitment (yes you read that correct, commitment to YOURSELF), rummage around the house for two containers. They don't have to be much, coffee cans, mason jars, whatever. You need these two jars to start working on those lists. Container #1 will be for 1st line gear only. Container #2 will be for 2nd line gear (mil-surp rifle first, then ammo, then accessories to carry it all). Everyday before you get ready to go on patrol, empty your pockets of all your loose change and put half into container #1 and half into container #2. If you quit using exact change throughout the day, it will speed up your savings rate quite a bit. Of course this accomplishes two things, first you can practice moving without a sound and two, it is a forced savings for gear that you will need.

The first thing you buy with the funds in container #1 is a pair of basic civilian cargo pants/shorts, or a simple fishing/photographers vest that has plenty of pockets. Nothing fancy here, wal-mart has them for 15-20 bucks all the time when on sale, and they come in subdued colors like khaki, green or brown. These pants or vest will hold your first line stuff that you begin to purchase here on out, and they do not draw any negative attention while out on a stroll in your AO. Once you have this, start going down the 1st Line Gear List and pick the items up as funds allow.

The first thing you Buy out of the funds raised in container #2 depend on a few things.

#1, (a) Do you already own a suitable Centerfire Rifle? If you do, regardless what it is, buy some xtra ammo for it, and then make sure it has sling swivels and a sling. What is a suitable rifle? Well, the definition of a KISSATA Homeland Defense Rifle is pretty cut and dry and that is a Mil-Surp/Mil-Pattern Rifle. But we are at your baseline right now so let's look at the KISS Concept a bit here. If you own any long arm, as long as it isn't some valuable antique or it is unsafe to fire and you can get ammo for it, you are tempararly good to go, even if it is a single shot. USE WHAT YOU HAVE FIRST! Then improve your gear as you go.
(b) You do not own a suitable rifle. Start looking for a KISSATA Homeland Defense Rifle that fits your budget ASAP. Mosin Nagant's are currently the least expensive but if you find a deal in your local paper or pawn shop go for it. Then get a sling and some ammo for it
(c) Once you have a suitable rifle, you need to start putting together a Rifleman training plan. If you do not have a .22 rimfire or a pellet rifle, get one and start training Appleseed style. 500 rounds of .22lr at wally-world is $15.00 and 500 pellets are even less, make your own targets if you have to. Even if you are in an Urban setting you can practice with an Air Rifle indoors as long as you use a suitable back stop, and in the Burbs you could shoot .22 rim fire in your basement or garage (again, with suitable back stop!)

Every time you purchase an item off the 1st and 2nd line gear lists, practice using it. This is especially important for fire-starting items, knife sharpening items, compasses, and 550 cord (having 550 cord for emergency's is useless if you do not know how to tie knots properly!)

As you make purchases, try to buy the best that you can afford, the first time. If you are not sure if something is worth the dough, put up a post here asking if anyone has used that item and if they would make a recommendation. Once you have your gear purchased continue saving that change! Maybe all you could afford was a basic boy scout type pocket knife in your first line gear at first, but you now realize that a Leatherman multi-tool would suit you better, well keep saving that change and upgrade when you can afford to.

Resale shops, garage sale, pawn shops, (real)surplus stores are your freinds. Do not hesitate on buying used items to fill out your lists. A lot of good stuff is out there, and the older boy scout stuff works very well. I would rather have used surplus gear that needs a little TLC then a new chi-com gear imitating surplus gear. Another place to look is in the classifieds section of these forum. Many of us who have been doing this awhile, have accumulated a lot of stuff that either didn't work for us, or we have upgraded to something better, and we place the stuff on the classifieds forum, take advantage of that.

Once you have your first line gear and second line gear initially squared away (prior to any upgrades), re mark those 2 containers. #1 should now read "3rd line gear", and #2 should now read "Training" . Now instead of giving each container an even split of your pocket change, we are going to do something a bit different. Training is important, and good training is not cheap, so the first dollar goes into the Training container, then divide the balance equally into each container. No matter what, always try to get a dollar into that Training container! $365 dollars will cover the cost of an Appleseed with centerfire ammo + fuel costs to get there, with some to spare. If you bring a .22 rimfire to the Appleseed, you could afford to make two Appleseeds! That's money well spent!

You will also want to start "camping" on a monthly basis, in order to get proficient with your gear. This is not cozy comfy camping, this is camping with the gear that you have aquired thus far. If you do not have a basic tent yet, that even better, practice making expedient shelters with your first line gear. or tarp shelters out of your 3rd line gear. Even if you are short on gas money to go camping, do it in your backyard! practice is practice.

But, Garand, it's raining, waa waaaaa waaa