You are about to be dropped all alone in the wilderness.......

2014-10-07T20:28:58-04:00

Lots of serious posts today, so this one's just for fun.

Here's the mission: You are about to be dropped in the Northwest Territories at least 200 miles from any human settlement, which are in unknown direction. It's summer, so the weather can be unpredictable, but not necessarily deadly (yet).

You are allowed the clothes you have on, which will be ACUs and boots, a MOLLE assault pack, and five items of your choosing, but there are rules:

1. Only one item can be a container of multiple quantity (i.e. bag of chips, MRE, box of ammo)
2. All items must either fit in the MOLLE assault pack, or be hand carry-able.
3. No electronic items (radio, cell phone, GPS, etc.)
4. Give either a brief description of each item's purpose, or an overall synopsis of your plan (or both).

Have fun, and BE SPECIFIC. All items will be issued EXACTLY as requested.

**EDIT: Challenge yourself and don't read the other responses until you've posted yours!**

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2014 8:42 PM

2014-10-07T20:42:47-04:00

1 Box Ammo (5.56)
-hunting, protection, fire
1 AR-15 or M-16/4 platform
1 Poncho and liner
-sleep system, rain gear, hammock for elevation
1 SOG FastHawk with 550-cord wrapped handle
-brush clearance, defense, hunting, etc.
1 Canteen w/cup
-water boiling, cooking

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Oct 7 at 2014 8:46 PM

2014-10-07T20:46:34-04:00

You say to have fun and yet you have me in ACUs?? Not cool man.

No electronic items?? Im not sure that doesn't include my iphone right?

Item 1. Bible
Item 2. Can of mace
Item 3. Box of low fat MREs (haha)
Item 4. Lighter with fluid
Item 5: Mirror

I'll locate a water source such as a river and follow it until I run into humans. If the humans are bad, I'll mace their face. If they're good, they'll get me to a salon ASAP!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2014 9:59 PM

2014-10-07T21:59:11-04:00

This is fairly easy. My son was doing a similar project for school a few weeks ago. It was a three student project where they had to pick 20 items that the three of them would have to share after being dropped off somewhere. His mom and I helped him to figure out what would be good functional items to take. Some of the things the kids came up with were very luxurious. LOL.

Here's my list:
1) A lensatic compass: for navigation
2) A Cold Steel SRK knife: multi-purpose - cutting, skinning, etc.
3) A military issue two quart canteen: water containment, rugged.
4) A poncho: for protection from the elements and shelter.
5) A Friendly Swede magnesium fire starter - create fire

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2014 10:36 PM

2014-10-07T22:36:09-04:00

Shelter Half - most important thing in a survival situation is shelter
Metal Canteen - Metal canteen to boil any suspect water (second most important thing)
Compound Bow w/arrows - gotta have food and ammo runs out, arrows are retrievable.
Fresnel Lens - When the friction fires don't work and an extremely fast way to make a fire in sunlight.
E-Tool - bury the waste!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 12:20 AM

2014-10-08T00:20:19-04:00

1) 1990 Army 2 Qt canteen (as issued: soft skinned, with strap and iodine pills)
2) Recurve bow (a compound bow might be what someone may say, but firing a homemade arrow from it is a pain...literally...I'll stick with the recurve and make my own)
3) Attached multi-tool (multiple uses)
4) Poncho (multiple uses beyond shelter)
5) Water purification system (iodine tablets are ok, but they'll run out...it's the Northwest...there's plenty to eat, but water is life)

I prefer things that have multiple uses. The 2 Qt canteen is an exception, but it seals and won't spill the water. The recurve bow can be unstrung simply, unlike a compound bow and both the bow itself and the string can be used for other purposes. Land navigation is based on the sun. If you're in the northwest, I'm heading west until I hit the ocean and then heading north or south until I hit fresh water, unless I hit a stream or river and then follow that to the ocean. Animals teem in the northwest and rivers and streams will provide an abundance of food. If you said the desert...not much you can do with 5 items and make it out alive. The northwest is a trek, but not undoable.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 12:39 AM

2014-10-08T00:39:34-04:00

If I were to be dropped off in the Northwest during summer I would already have the advantage of long days and short nights. My container would be my canteen complete with canteen cup (for boiling water). I would also have a gerber. Also a machete ( to cut underbrush or fight off animals). A hairnet (to keep mosquitos off my face during the night. Two plastic bags (to line my boots should it rain)((don't want waterlogged feet)). A compass to head south. A firestarter or a lighter for obvious need of fire for warmth and to boil water. Last but not least I would need an E-tool (for waste management and to use in defense against animals.

My plan would be to move south during the day. Rest at night. Climb a tree and sleep at night up there. I'm a berry/fruit expert and I have enough fat deposits to last me until winter, so food wouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't want to be dropped off with food for the fact that bears would be attracted to the scent. I have no use for bears so I wouldn't bother carrying food with me.

Just head south, run into a river and follow it until I find civilization.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 7:56 AM

2014-10-08T07:56:39-04:00

Anybody do SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) at Camp Mackall (Army) or similar courses I believe it is FT. Rucker (Army) for the Flight crew guys. I may be a bit out of shape. However hope some of the training kicked back in. It's been a while. Not saying I'm getting old.

Response by SFC Jason Bautista made Oct 8 at 2014 10:24 AM

2014-10-08T10:24:03-04:00

When you say no electronics, does a 9volt battery count? If not then my answer is...

1. 550 cord (un-gutted) 100 ft.
2. One spool of 22 gauge steel wire (to make snares, fishing hooks, etc)
3. 9volt battery & Steel wool (fire starter)
4 A large knife (like ka-bar)
5. Canteen with cup

No compass needed, there are many ways to navigate without one. I would move at night only, it's cooler at night (so less dehydration) and keeps body temp up...so no hypothermia. Rest, hunt, etc during the day. And if you need shelter from the elements or a hide site...build it.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 11:48 AM

2014-10-08T11:48:02-04:00

1) I would need somthing to defend myself as well as build a shelter and prepare food. a HATCHET would assist me in building a shelter and has a flat side that could be used to pound or break somthing if needed.

2) I would need somthing to boil water ALUMINUM PITCHER. This pitcher would need to hold preferably a gallon of water.

3) I would need something to start a fire. Matches or Lighter would be nice but an old fashion FIRESTARTER would be my choice.

4) Trapping materials would be helpful in this situation so haveing a SPOOL OF 550 CORD would assist in building traps as well as a shelter.

5) A 10FT x 10FT TARP will assist in building a light weight shelter.

Use the tarp as shelter and 550 cord to tie it off, will be easy to tear down and move daily. continue to move in the southern direction daily searching for a river / road / or town while searching for food. I have watched every episode of naked and afraid. If I have my ACUs and 5 objects this would be way to easy.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Oct 8 at 2014 12:04 PM

2014-10-08T12:04:48-04:00

- 1 new Magnesium and flint fire starting kit (cooking, warmth, signalling)
- Map of the area in which I will be located
- Civilian-model transparent map compass with integrated signalling mirror
- 1 new KA-BAR knife (shave the magnesium, strike the flints, kill/skin animals)
- 1 spool of 550 cord for everything 550 can be used for.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 12:25 PM

2014-10-08T12:25:11-04:00

1. FM 21-76: Survival Manual
2. Poncho: Stay Dry
3. Firestarter: Stay Warm
4. Gerber: Make Stuff
5. Reflective Belt: May get hit by something.... :)

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 8 at 2014 1:24 PM

2014-10-08T13:24:43-04:00

compass - where the fug am I
poncho - any number of uses
e-tool - cutting chopping and latrine digging
canteen - water
box of energy bars - food

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 8 at 2014 2:00 PM

2014-10-08T14:00:04-04:00

Knife(with compass and flint stone) - making traps and skinning game, fire, and direction
aluminum canteen - container for heating and storage
100' Para-cord - list is to long for all the uses
Mirror - signal device
and a Porno mag - cause its 200 miles

and I'm walking out alive.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Oct 8 at 2014 1:58 PM

2014-10-08T13:58:56-04:00

1) A canvas tube bandoleer filled with 10#s cooked rice, via VC/NVA-obvious
2) Katadyn pocket water filter in case with all accessories-also obvious
3) Sharp K-BAR or Randal knife with scabbard and sharpener- a tool that can make other tools etc.
4) Lensatic Compass with the site lens- GPS fore runner and daylight fire starter
5) Gold metalized Mylar thermal sleep bag with draw string closure-shelter and signaling.

Interesting challenge!
I believe the above items would (and individually, have proven to) provide for the basics or enable the making or collection of the basics of survival in the deep woods.
It is a light load and would allow for a rapid transit.

I'd also need about ten cartons of cigarettes ;)

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Oct 8 at 2014 2:12 PM

2014-10-08T14:12:24-04:00

Interesting lists. Some double containers. I believe that many of these lists have fallen into a military support mindset. That is: thinking weapons, mil. gear, etc. There is no battle to be waged here other than for your own life. Some civilian and out of the box gear has far surpassed military gear. Remember they are the lowest bidder items made for the masses.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 3:51 PM

2014-10-08T15:51:41-04:00

1. water purification filter and carrying source (Nalgene, canteen, whatevs)
2. poncho and liner
3. K-bar (I am a Marine, we never leave home without one!)
4. Fire starting stuff (steel striker, some cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly for when it's wet)
4. basic fishing gear
5. .22/20 guage rifle/shotgun combo, ammo for each

Go downhill, kill/eat small game as I go. Find a river, follow it, there will be people eventually. Camp along water (but above high water marks on trees in case of flash flood), set up a trot line at night with the fishing gear, eat fish for breakfast before moving out. Build very smoky fire that'll put up a plume that can be seen for miles every time I cook a critter I can kill. Leave marks, signals, etc all over the place as I go in case someone is looking for me. Shoot bears in the freaking face on sight cuz they freak me out.

Now all this is assuming I WANT to be found, of course.

Response by MSgt Chris Adams made Oct 8 at 2014 7:14 PM

2014-10-08T19:14:28-04:00

1 - My Gerber or S.O.G. multi-tool - Great tool, can do lots of stuff with one
2 - fire starter kit - Might get wet, hate to get sick and die from getting a cold, also good to boil water if unsure of source. plus if things get real bad, I can start a forest fire so someone can find me ;)
3 - 550 Cord - As versatile as the multi-tool
4 - Good compass - got to find my way somehow
5 - needle/thread in my first aid kit - might need to stitch myself up if things go wrong

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Oct 8 at 2014 10:59 PM

2014-10-08T22:59:27-04:00

200 miles from no where? No electronic devices?

1. A hammer,
2. box of nails,
3. hand saw,
4. hammock,
5. and a good book

First find a nice spot over looking some fresh water. String up the hammock between two trees. Then take the saw, hammer and nails build me a good shelter to cover the hammock. Hop in the hammock and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 11:55 PM

2014-10-08T23:55:49-04:00

1. 200 ft roll of Duct Tape (its duct tape. developed by nasa for space so it's good enough for me)
2. Kabar knife (serrated edge and length makes it good for cutting wood plus it doesnt break easily when twisted.)
3. Wet Weather Poncho
4. M14 EBR RI (with standard Leupold Mk 4 Scope)
5. Box of Ammo (7.62) (also powder can be used to help start fires.)

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2014 12:02 AM

2014-10-09T00:02:03-04:00

You did not state a mission.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Oct 9 at 2014 12:53 AM

2014-10-09T00:53:06-04:00

Just a few thoughts: I doubt that there is any place in CONUS any more, that is 200 miles from human habitation, or a road for that matter. I seem to recall seeing a map of areas that were 50 miles from a road, and there was not much. Given the 200 miles and a very optimistic travel rate of 3 mph, that's 24 miles a day with no stops. So you are looking at over 8 days of travel if not sidetracked. This does not account for foraging, rest stops/relief, etc. Not a simple walk in the woods, probably closer to 2 weeks with degrading energy reserves. Before I bailed into the pine needles I'd pick very carefully.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2014 1:44 AM

2014-10-09T01:44:22-04:00

My kit:

a. Clark Jungle Hammock TX-250 complete with tree straps/drip rings, can sleep above ground,
and keep warm up to 32 deg fahrenheit
b. Becker BK-7 Survival knife Kit(can make crude bow & arrows if needed)
c. 27 ounce Kleen Kanteen for water
d. 300ft 550 cord, can wrap some cord around a sharpened pole as a grip and other uses for cord as well
e. four 12 bar packs, total of 48 bars with 200 Calories per survival bar(will supplement with actual food caught, skinned or fished and cooked over my Swedish torch/stove)

Response by Cpl Aaron Nelson made Oct 9 at 2014 9:58 AM

2014-10-09T09:58:29-04:00

if the objective is to survive until reaching civilization then this is what I would take.

flint stone - for fire
large hunting knife - for a million things
200' of 550 cord - just in case
metal canteen cup - water purification/consumption.
bible - for down time.

even if you knew the location of the nearest settlement, a 200 mile trek is going to take a few days, under the best conditions. more than likely it will take upwards of a week. the most important thing that will be needed is going to be sustenance, which during the summer months should be relatively obtainable in the wild. You would assume that fresh water is available as well, but using the canteen cup you can boil the water to purify it. should the weather turn for the worse, a shelter can be made with nearly anything. if I remember my geography the NW territories are both forested and mountainous. fallen timber, caves, hollow, plenty of possibilities, shelter would be my last worry. fire to cook or for chilly nights will be desirable, tho not a necessity. I would take a flint rock with me for this purpose. there are other means of starting fire from nothing, but this would make it easier and quicker. I would imagine you could probably find flint rock lying around on the ground, but better safe than sorry. the 550 cord serves many purposes, everything from shelter building to setting game traps. Finally during the evening hours, or breaks i would have my Bible. reading keeps your mind active and fresh, and the Bible offers peace and wisdom.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2014 12:00 PM

2014-10-09T12:00:10-04:00

1. A fixed blade, full tang 8'' knife. 550 Cord handle, ungutted. -
2. Spool of 550 cord. -
3.Metal, durable, 2-quart, sealable container.
4. Fire striker, Magnesium.
5. Standard Issue poncho liner.

I would also like to eschew the acus and boots for a loincloth and face paint. Ha, but seriously, What do you think of my choices?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2014 3:31 PM

2014-10-09T15:31:54-04:00

Multi-tool
550 cord
Firestarter
Camelbak
Bow & arrows

A multi-tool (I use a Leatherman, but a Gerber would work) includes a knife that can be used to carve other implements (bowl for boiling water, stakes, etc), a small saw that can be used to cut through limbs IOT construct a shelter, pliers to get into small spaces or grip something too small for fingers (including removing splinters and the like), and more.

550 cord is a very light, strong rope, useful in a variety of instances. Most common use would be constructing the shelter, and possibly to rig camp alarms once I have bones to string along it.

A firestarter is virtually essential. I have neither the skill nor the patience to start a fire with using a bow, a stick, and a rock.

A camelbak gives me the ability to store fresh water (either found or created), so that I can travel and explore the area without worrying about staying hydrated. It also has the advantage over a canteen of leaving your hands free.

A bow is among the most versatile hunting implements, including the option of tying 550 cord to an arrow and using it for fishing. With the multi-tool, I can also make replacement arrows if I have to.

Response by Cpl Ray Fernandez made Oct 9 at 2014 6:31 PM

2014-10-09T18:31:00-04:00

MREs, water, Goretex, map, compass.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Oct 9 at 2014 6:32 PM

2014-10-09T18:32:37-04:00

1) canteen set (to include canteen cup) - water carrying/water purification
2) a compass - navigation. And if it is a military lensatic with a magnifying glass, can be used to start fires.
3) a large fixed blade knife (ie a kukri or bolo) with sharpening stone and flint
4) space blanket - for warmth and can double as a poncho and for signaling
5) 550 cord - for rope as well as the guts can be used as fishing line and thread

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Oct 9 at 2014 7:19 PM

2014-10-09T19:19:16-04:00

Insect repellent, large bottle. Used to repel insects.
Large field knife. For general knifey purposes.
Mayday 3600 calorie food bar. Nutrition on hand means less time searching for food.
Bright orange poncho. Shelter, signaling, and expedient water container.
Large capacity butane lighter. Fire starting.

Plan:
Configure poncho so that it is readily visible, pick a direction (south most likely) and walk.
Find a stream, follow it to a road. Follow the road until I am rescued. Walk by day, start a fire and set up a shelter at night. My strategy is to make distance and spend minimum time gathering resources.

The bugs in that area are particularly nasty. The repellent is critical to health and morale.
Fresh water should be readily available. Purification and storage is not terribly important.
Bear and other predator encounters are not likely to be a significant threat. Best practice is to make a lot of noise while moving.
The Mayday bar and lighter will not last long, but should last me long enough to close the distance to civilization.

Response by Jordan Gaudard made Oct 9 at 2014 8:36 PM

2014-10-09T20:36:50-04:00

1. E-Tool
2. 100ft of 550 Cord
3. Gerber
4. Poncho
5. Water Souce, Camel bak / 2 qt Canteen

My idea is that the E-Tool will provide me with a weapon that would only take 1 out of the 5 items. With a Gun, although superior weapon, requires 2 spots because without ammo the Gun is best used as a baseball bat against trees to take out frustration of having ammo that got wet, lost, rusty/dirty. Traveling with a weapon, I would have to avoid getting it wet or dirty reducing the effectiveness of the weapon itself. E-Tool can also be able to use to dig up roots which provide nutrition, small holes for traps, etc. The 550 cord also have multiple uses, with sticks I can make a fire, with the Poncho I can make a shelter. It can also be used to help setup traps for small animals as a food source. The Gerber should be self-explanatory in this situation, it is also a device used to make the 550 cord more effective, clean fish or any game. Water Source is absolutely necessary and probably the most important item to have. Without water, food, and shelter I am likely to die. The plan would be to make multiple fires in a Y shape pointing to my position, using green shrubs, and wet leaves to create smoke pointing out my position to be rescued. During the daytime I will be saving energy, staying in the shade. At night I will travel, hunt, set traps etc. It will be cool and I won’t be as exhausted. I will be moving in a direction towards water and hopefully human settlement.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2014 12:20 PM

2014-10-10T12:20:10-04:00

This is easy, I would just bring Dora the Explorer's backpack. That should cover everything that anyone would need.

However if that isn't available I would bring:
A map- because it's a map, and I would need to find water.
A Compass-to go with the map, and land nav and such
My Mossberg- to hunt with
Some 12ga ammo- to hunt with
Knife, to skin stuff and cut brush and such
550 cord- to hang stuff, away from animals that might want to get at it.

I don't think that I would be in any type of rush to get back to civilization though.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Oct 10 at 2014 1:02 PM

2014-10-10T13:02:19-04:00

For the 5 items I choose a 1st aid kit,knife,Poncho,compass and a flash light. I think all Items are pretty self explanatory. No time constraint has been set nor a goal so I believe that I am to get back to a set point or civilization? My personal goal is to use land features and the night to guide me as one can always see city lights from a great distance at night. This is no different than what I did in my actual survival training course. Movement will be during the day , since its not been said that I am in enemy territories, travel can be pretty lax. Food and water will be given from the land, snares made from strands of bark will be utilized to snare small animals, spears can be made to harvest fish from any streams or small rivers I encounter . the compass will be used to shoot azimuth's to any lights I see when I climb trees in the night or stand in a ridge in search for those City lights I mentioned earlier. if no lights are visible I would follow streams as all streams head towards a major water way and cities are almost always on or near a major waterway. Lodging will be made according to the weather, either lean to's or some other method will be used. sounds like fun to me and brings me back to my military days

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Oct 10 at 2014 1:54 PM

2014-10-10T13:54:43-04:00

1) 250cc trail bike
2) Tire repair kit
3) Five gallon can of gas
4) 10 #s of cooked rice in bandoleer
5) Full squad sized camelback

Head south until hitting watercourse or traveled trail. Follow that.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Oct 10 at 2014 5:31 PM

2014-10-10T17:31:17-04:00

1) Folding mountain bike
http://www.amazon.com/SwissBike-X50-18-Speed-Mountain-Gloss/dp/B003ASYGYA/ref=sr_1_5?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=1-5&keywords=folding+trail+bikes
2) 10#s cooked rice in bandoleer
3) Full squad camelback
4) Tire repair kit
5) Topo map

The idea here is to reduce exposure time. Stick and sun compass for direction to landmarks. Topo for watercourse or trail destination and routing. Food and water. Make time and push on.

It has been awhile since something has challenged these old neurons like this. Great mental exercise.

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Response by SPC Dave St.Andrew made Oct 10 at 2014 8:53 PM

2014-10-10T20:53:07-04:00

1. Take down Ruger 10/22
2. 500 Rds of .22
3.UST Paraknife
4.Army Issued Single Person Tent
5.Camelbak

The quickest way for someone to get even more lost is by moving. I would hunker down, build a nice shelter for my tent. I can start fires using my knife, hunt small game with my 10/22 and start foraging for wild edibles. When I start hearing search planes, I would have a smoke signal set up to start and also use my signal mirror from my knife.

Response by SSG Selwyn Bodley made Oct 10 at 2014 10:00 PM

2014-10-10T22:00:03-04:00

I think I have to agree with many of you in that I might not want to return!

1. - Machete- (not some cheap thing)- I've cleared a lot of land with a machete and you can cut down some good size limbs/ tree's very quickly. Would be used for building a shelter and its pretty good in defense or attack.
2.- Wobbie- just cant go anywhere without it...
3. Magnesium fire starter
4.- un-gutted 550- multiple uses
5-Canteen with cup (if that's counted as two items then just the cup)

Then I think I will stay... (I don't think you said we had to leave?)
Make some Sasquatch calls to see if Big foot is around.

Response by SPC Fred Lytge made Oct 11 at 2014 12:23 AM

2014-10-11T00:23:08-04:00

He did say "northwest territories"...I am at a slight advantage here,..I lived there for 24 years after the Army,..I hunted every logging road,fished every river and know all the mountains...I would feel right at home....hehe...Unless it is NW territories some where else...just funnin' is all...I love this topic...

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Oct 11 at 2014 1:39 AM

2014-10-11T01:39:21-04:00

Sorry, duplicate thought I hadn't sent it.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2014 1:59 AM

2014-10-11T01:59:58-04:00

Poncho with liner
MRE's
Canteen with cup
Multi-Tool
M16 with ammo Lighter then my 30-30 or .308. Obviously a bow would be more practical, but I am a rifle marksman and suck with a bow, so go with what I know.

I would then so much enjoy the opportunity to not have any distractions.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Oct 11 at 2014 2:05 AM

2014-10-11T02:05:11-04:00

I would use my rope to repel down a cliff to a ledge and rescue a bear cub.
I would use my mirror to signal an indian and an old man with a Democrat to be friends.
I would use my knife to cut wood to build a cabin and firewood.
I would use my rifle to get me some food. (take it and other supplies from other campers without a rifle)
I would use my jacket to keep warm at night.

Then I would "live free in harmony your majesty, take me home, take me home".

Response by SGT Steve Oakes made Oct 11 at 2014 5:03 AM

2014-10-11T05:03:07-04:00

1) .22 Rifle, for hunting food and self defense. The .22 will allow me to use my one multiple container for hundreds of rounds of ammo.
2) Survival / Combat Knife. Can be found with a compass on the handle, a fire starter in the handle, rudimentary fishing gear in handle. Useful for processing kills, building improvised shelter.
3) One of those water cleaning straws.
4) A big box of .22 rounds. Large amount of rounds means some of them could be opened up for the gun powder. Useful for starting fires in wet weather.
5) Binoculars.

Load up the rifle, get to high ground and use the binoes to find a water source. Once at the water head down stream. There will be some kind of human presents somewhere along the water. If it is a Lake high ground again look for signs of human population.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2014 11:04 AM

2014-10-11T11:04:16-04:00

1000' 550 cord - traps and lashing structures, rafts, etc/ Can be used to create hammock to help prevent against ground bug bites/ can create fire as needed with rotational friction

k bar - cutting, skinning/cleaning, shaping wood

Are these required to be military items? If Not:
Compound bow with 6 target pins, fishing assembly, and the side-mounted quiver with carbon fiber arrows (assorted heads). - hand carried - Used for hunting food (land animals and fish).

Stainless steel cook kit - purifying water, cooking food, maintaining sanitation as much as possible.

Book about plants (edible/poisonous) in the area I plan to be inserted.

Based on the mission, there isn't any requirement that I go anywhere. I could set up an area and build up supplies, and perhaps build a signal fire if I wanted to be found/low-flying aircraft or ships are present on any regular basis. Biggest immediate challenge would be avoiding injury and becoming familiar with surroundings. Would need to find a consistent source of water, and then soon after that attempt to take down a med-large game animal and smoke the meat for preservation. I would brain tan the hide and work to make it usable if needed for colder weather - it could also be used for moccasins/water skin and other clothing needs, as the ACUs and boots will only last so long before they risk falling apart or being destroyed by the environment. After building up supplies, and based on weather patterns I would probably attempt to move around fall if I felt the need. I would find a moving water source (if the initial water source isn't already a moving source) and follow it down stream. I would probably move between 5 - 10 miles a day depending on supplies and terrain.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Oct 11 at 2014 2:23 PM

2014-10-11T14:23:17-04:00

SGT Richard H. Thanks for posting this thread here, because if any veteran finds them selves homeless, these are the skills that will work. I found your post is really no different then one whom is in fact homeless. I know, I lived it and had to create games like this in order to survive. I was stranded 200 miles in the middle of the desert with no food or water. 2 pair pants, 2 shirts underclothes and 1 towel. It was a real life situation and everything and anything goes except:
No Stealing from stores, or any human being.
No Drinking liquor of any kind.
No using drugs of any kind.
No Begging from anyone.

Mission is to secure a place to live, infiltrate a job.

I survived !

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Oct 11 at 2014 7:00 PM

2014-10-11T19:00:26-04:00

I would like a waterproof terrain map of the territory I am in because I'm very good with a map. I can use the sun for my sense of direction. The Boy Scouts Wilderness Survival Guide Book so I can learn how to do a million different things out in the wilderness without the every day tools we take for granite. And because, lets face it, I'm a novice when it comes to wilderness survival, so I need all the help I can get.

A very large bag of beef jerky, because I can make it last and it will sit better with my stomach than an MRE. 8" bowie survival knife, that has a compass in the handle and has a cavity in the handle with matches. It will provide me with a compass so if its cloudy, I can still have a sense of direction, I can use the matches to build a fire if I need to and the knife I can use for a variety of things, to include hunting, making a bow and arrow, cutting game/fish, digging, etc. A poncho because I can use it as a makeshift tent or a blanket and stay dry, its lightweight and I'm sure I can find other uses for it if needed.

I'm so going to die. :-)

Response by SPC(P) Nick Bondgien made Oct 11 at 2014 7:24 PM

2014-10-11T19:24:51-04:00

1. M1A1(M14 family) w 1 @ 20rnd mag
2. 1 pkg of 3 road flares (gaurunteed a fire no matter how wet the wood is)
3. Gerber MKII knife
4. Pk of Lucky's n a Zippo

My plan is to walk into the sun's arc. Being in the NW Territories isn't an issue. Since I am in Canada,by following the sun's arc I know I am heading south. As long as I stay moving in a southward direction I am sure to hit a hardball. Once on the hardball I'll hitch hike down into MT. Hopefully coming thru north of Havre (where my son was born) or thru Wolf Point,MT south of Regina. Once in MT a hot shower,cold cup of coffee,and a bed is only a cpl hours away.
Nothing smaller than a .308 is practical. You have every known North American predator up there.
Scouts Out~ RECON

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 1:53 AM

2014-10-12T01:53:56-04:00

1) Case of MRE's

2) Full camelback

3)K-Bar

4) 550 Cord

5) Poncho with liner

Response by SGT David Walch made Oct 13 at 2014 5:26 PM

2014-10-13T17:26:03-04:00

OK, here goes...

1. Map and compass (or at least a map). No sense following a river a few hundred miles to find out it just dumps into the ocean with nothing around when there may have been a town just over the ridge.
2. 550 cord. Too many uses to list but does everything, food, shelter, etc.
3. PONCHO! Shelter, rain.
4. Over-under combination rifle/shotgun w/ammo. Food, signalling, protection.
5. Magnesium fire starter.

Goal would be just to locate nearest or easiest to travel to human habitation. What a tragedy though not having my buddies there to share the adventure with. :-(

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 13 at 2014 6:00 PM

2014-10-13T18:00:19-04:00

1. Large bottle of Iodine Tincture
2. Flint and Steel
3. Poncho
4. Barrett M98B (or any other mid-cal rifle) w. 120 rounds
5. All purpose knife.

Response by A1C Thomas Leary made Oct 14 at 2014 2:07 PM

2014-10-14T14:07:09-04:00

1. Knife- either K-Bar or Becker BK-2
2. Paracord, 200' (shelter building, fishing, trapping)
3. Ruger 10/22 with 500 rds.
4. Stainless Steel Water Bottle (water purification/ storage)
5. Ferro Rod (fire)

Stay in place, hunt small game, enjoy the solitude as much as possible.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 4:41 AM

2015-10-16T04:41:16-04:00

Item 1: Fire-knife (Utility, Tool, Weapon)
Item 2: Food-Grade-Titanium Canteen (Utility, Food)
Item 3: Stainless Steel Saucepan (Utility, Food)
Item 4: E-Tool (Utility, Tool, Weapon)
Item 5: Geography Map printed on durable, weatherproof canvas/tarp
(Just because we don't know where the people are, doesn't mean we can't know the area.)
Ultimately, the fire-knife is the only thing I'd need, but the other items would make a considerable different. The fact that I'd have a pack to carry things with is an added bonus.