Somebody has a self esteem problem. I have problems with "types of people" that I identify but I don't feel compelled to write long essays about them and put them on the web (with pseudo-mathematical forumlas so they can calculate how pathetic they are).

Couldn't have painted with a broader brush. An article that can offend everyone!

I have several of Doug's PSKs. I'd rather send one out with my daughter any day.

But it looks like it won't be much of a contest, because the RR kit is not available for sale! Check his "mail order" form.

So I wouldn't worry yourself too much about it.

Plus he's just way too bitter. If he could reinvent himself and his site he might have something useful to contribute.

this is an interesting bit:
http://www.equipped.org/pop_up_survivalist_def.htm

I don't believe this guy was actually Military at all. A lot of crap he says leads me to believe he is simply a mall ninja using it as a cover to sell his useless "survival" crap.

Anyone notice in his special forces survival kit he has added a small American flag.



Obviously this retard has never served overseas. I could lose count of all the things wrong with the above statement. But I digress...

It's an elegant clarification of ETS's niche. It notably does not deride other forums' focus or those who frequent them.

There's actually been quite a bit of latitude granted on ETS this past year in regard to extending the conversation, especially in terms of urban preparedness.

RR may be a lovely fellow in person but some peops just do not take enough care in anticipating how their writings can be perceived.

Actually that quote makes me believe that Ranger Rick has actually served in the US Army.

But then again joining up is not really a good way to ensure you die in your sleep aged 102 in a comfy bed surrounded by your relatives. People shoot at you and try to blow you up when serving in the military and the enemy tries to do so also.

I just looked at his website and noticed some interesting things on the front page.

- A three folding signal mirror!? How do you aim a three fold mirror, using all three parts?

- His 'won't freeze up' alluminium whistle. It won't freeze, but it will freeze to your lips.

I really didn't mean this thread to become a flaming one, I just wanted to discuss the kits he has designed. Though making one's own survival kit by scratch is always said to be best, I still like to check out the commercial kits and buy a few. I do have the AMK PSP and love it, but the Necklace kit was given a "Good" rating in Doug Ritters review.

Yes, it was/is. Some of the items like the whistle and the firelighter are pretty good. The wire saws not a bad bit of kit either. Within it's limits.

Issue I have with Rick is that he is over aggressive to the point of being arrogant, rude and insulting. He somewhat reminds me of an ex-college of mine. Ex-Royal Marine. Most of the time he's the nicest of fellows but he has a certain irritating trait. Namely an attitude that if you ain't earned a Green Beret, your nothing. I rather fear that Rick is the same. Earning a Ranger Flash or a beret is with out question a proud achievement, I have no arguments about that but it does not make you "superior" to other people.

I also feel that he also knows very little about the character of the forum members. The "Old Hands" like myself are not posting or reiterating things for the fun of it. Quite the opposite in fact. This forum, which is global in extent, represents the best possible opportunity to pass on lessons that I, for one, have learned the hard way.


Were, however, we talking about a chat-room then I would quite likely agree with him.

...

While I have served in the military and I think their survival schools are top notch for what they teach, they are first and foremost Escape and Evasion schools for folks behind enemy lines.
Very little time is spent on surviving for extended periods in the bush. The reason for this is obvious- you cannot perform mission essential tasks and worry about providing for your sustenance. That is why they airdrop rations to forward units.


In the case of the Spetznaz, where part of the training is a long distance forced march with very limited provisions, I would probably say that I could look to someone who underwent that training as a viable information source.

Graduating from Ranger school obviously puts you in a category of its own. I doubt because you ate a snake in training you are an expert. I've eaten snake a few times myself and don't even pretend to be an expert.