My first advise- dump the **** LBE. If you really need it, go with a civilian vest. Otherwise, mount a lot of stuff off your pack, particularly on the waistbelt. Most of the packs from Blackhawk can take ALICE gear on the waistbelt, as can a suprising number of civilian packs.<br><br>Unless you are a college student, say, 100 miles from Dushanabe (sp) and studying Uzbekistan culture and history, you won't need military gear. You will usually want to stick out like a sore thumb, so you can get pickup easier. In an urban situation, it might make thinks worse, becuase when the Gaurd gets called in, they might mistake you for (a) a deserter, or (b) a wack-job with a commando-complex. If you combine (b) with a gun, especially if there is a curfew, don't be suprised if a large number of gentlemen with automatic weapons are kinda grouchy towards you.<br><br>You also usually won't need a lot of weapons. If you are in a suburban situation, the shotgun is good if you are digging in at what is left of your residence. Urban, a handgun of suitable power and concealibility (asuming you have any and ALL liscences you need) is probably better, but at an evac camp you will have to turn it in. As a bush pilot, a Mini-14 is a poor choice, becuase it is both too powerful for small game and not powerful enough for big/dangerous game. <br><br>As a college student, if you are in the dorms, you need a 72-hour bag, that's it. Every college has evacuation plans, and most states have kept them current. The only issue is feeding them. And if you live off campus, well, figure it out as you go towards the college.<br><br>I've also got something to say about the Bug-Out-Bag phenominia. If you are talking a 72- or 120-hour Evacuation Bag, fine. Heck, every person in my family has a 72-bag, and most of us a 120-bag. I kept a stripped down 72-bag in my closet at college, with a second in my car. <br><br>However, a lot of BOB people are talking about a bag they grab as they try to escape from the city with thier SUVs by driving cross country over rubble, and making a speed run for the "country" and "living off the land". As one of the people living in the country, don't do it. We won't have the resources that are going toget at organised evac centers. And we don't want armed vagrants camping on our land, poaching and setting up questionable fire-lays. Stick to the area where help will be, becuase this isn't a movie.