OPSEC - How's Your Operational Security?

 

The Foothills, Alberta (photo by V.A. McMillan)

OPSEC – How’s Your Operational Security?

Well Summer has finally arrived, and it is time for a new Blog post. This is a topic that is always in the back of my mind and frequently it becomes the squeaky wheel that needs attention…it does not matter what kind of operation you are part of – family, employment, volunteer, or just kicking back with friends. Everything has an operational security component and those who deny that or ignore that are setting themselves up for failure at some level or other. So, how is your operational security?

Operational Security (OPSEC) is closely related to situational awareness (safe-level-one-lesson-plan-part-1-of-5)  as both share a need to be cognisant of what is going on around you, at all times. What are the threats? What are the opportunities? What resources are available? What are your deficiencies? The answers to these questions will help establish what level of alertness you should be maintaining. As mentioned in previous posts (emergency-readiness-readiness-endurance), you cannot maintain the highest levels of alertness indefinitely. Everyone has a limit on how long they can be fully alert. To aid in managing your resources and maintain a response capability, is where OPSEC comes in. OPSEC is a method to manage vulnerability and reduce the number of directions that energy must be focused to achieve an acceptable level of security and readiness.

You might be asking, so, Mountainman how do we apply this theory to a real-world situation? Glad you asked…let’s use a crime model. Insert either the Italian or Sicilian Mafia or any of the drug cartels around the planet. When these operations were small, family run businesses and the Boss knew everyone in their operation, it was almost impossible for law enforcement or intelligence agents to infiltrate the operation. First, these small operations required a blood oath and a sponsor who would vouch to the integrity of the new member. As the operations became more successful and required expansion, and at times rapid expansion, then things started to develop gaps and holes in operational security. The Boss, captains, lieutenants, and enforcers no longer knew every member of their crew. At this point, not only was infiltration possible it was happening as quickly as agents could be inserted. Once one got in, they would vouch for others and then the operation was compromised. Intel would be leaked, and jobs would begin to be botched or intercepted by law enforcement, intelligence agencies, or the competition. Of course, when rats were caught, they would take a dirt nap and the OPSEC hole would be plugged, at least for a while.

The moral of the story being that small organizations where everyone is well known to each other are less ideal for infiltration by outside agents. That is one solution to protect operations from infiltration. But there are other vulnerabilities…During the Great War and World War Two, posters plastered the walls of train stations, bus stops, and office walls; with messages like “loose lips sink ships” or “the walls have ears”. There are still samples of these poster all over the internet.

Loose Lips Sink Ships - War Poster

The Walls Have Ears - War Poster

This vulnerability of having members of an organization flapping their gums with no regard for the audience – intended or not, shows a distinct lack of organizational discipline and personal discipline. If you want to achieve and maintain OPSEC in your operation, folks in your group need to understand how much damage they can create when the wrong person overhears someone bragging and then rats them outs to an agency or the competition. In a business environment this type of breach could cost you millions when your competition scoops your deal with a supplier. In a more security related operation this type of breach could cost you your freedom or your life. Those who lived through World War Two seemed to understand and comprehend the seriousness of OPSEC even when they were thousands of miles away from any front. Today matters are further complicated by the ease with which information can be shared on social media. There seems to be a psychological compulsion for folks to spill the beans…with friends and enemies, just for likes!!! Whiskey tango foxtrot, over!!! Where has personal responsibility, self-discipline, and self-control evaporated to??

If you are the captain, keep your ship and crew in snug control. Baggy sails and flapping lips could be the end of your voyage – individually and collectively!

Until next time…run a tight ship!

 

Mountainman.

Blacksmithing in The Rockies - Support Your Local Businesses

 

The Rockies (photo by V.A. McMillan, 2022)

Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of attending a weekend blacksmithing course at Stone Wood & Steel Blacksmithing (https://www.stonewoodandsteel.ca/about) and instructed by blacksmith extraordinaire James Greisinger. This was a weekend getaway for the “Dad’s” – sponsored by each of their own families. Thank you to each and everyone that made this weekend possible!! Counting the Mountainman, there were five in our group (no names, no pack drill – anonymity protected).

Stone Wood & Steel - Info Card (Front)

On day one, our group was joined by a group of two and a solo student who finally found a non-conflicting time to attend his Intro to Blacksmithing Class. Enthusiasm was high and everyone was eager to learn. After a morning coffee and introductions, James introduced everyone to the safe conduct in the shop and expected behaviours to ensure projects got completed and no one would get injured. Next came the briefing and demonstration for the first project – a steak turner. Soon after, eight eager hammer wielding terrors were released to the heat of the forge and the resounding chiming of hammers bashing hot mild steel to a fine point on one of the four anvils arranged around the shop. In short order, step one was complete, and everyone was instructed on making the point into a curved point, and then an eye was forged at the other end, complete with a cap lifter for those pesky bottles without screw-off caps. 

Stone Wood & Steel - Info Card (Back)

The afternoon was spent learning the finer details of bending square rod into “S” – curves, flattening the square rod and bending scrolls, and twisting. To aid in this learning each student worked on a fire poker. Unlike shop class back in high school, a million years ago, James affords his students the luxury of making a customized, one-of-a-kind, masterpiece…remember how shop class graded you on whether your fire poker looked like the twenty other fire pokers made in the shop class. Thus, learning is accelerated because you are not trapped in the conformity cycle and are free to learn, do, and produce a forged item that meets your needs. 

 Day two, was just our group. Instruction was focused on what the group wanted to learn. The warm-up project of the day was more leaf work to practice the controlled bashing of steel from round bar into a leaf of whatever leaf shape you needed. I decided I would smash two willow leaves at either end of a short branch. I wanted to make a mounting hook to hold the steak turner I made the day before. This quick project gave me practice of making a leaf or two, drawing out the bar stock, bending curves, and I learned how to punch a mounting hole through the upper leaf. Depending on the metal you are smithing, some finish the forging process harder and more difficult to drill once the project is cold. Learning how to push a hole through hot metal makes life easier later…and it is a cool skill to learn.

Here is my finished steak turner and the willow leaf hook to mount the set to the wall:

Mountainman's Steak Turner & Willow Leaf Mounting Hook

If you have even a tinkling of desire to get close to a forge, heat up some steel, and then bash it with purpose into a useful item, I highly recommend you contact James at Stone Wood & Steel and get yourself and your friends registered for a couple days of blacksmithing!! 

Blacksmithing is a traditional skill that will be collectively lost if folks let the skills die out. Hard to say whether not having a blacksmith in every town across Canada is a blessing or a curse…everyone should have an appreciation for what blacksmithing did to help civilization for the last couple millennia. Of course, some folks prefer cheap crap from Costco instead…who am I to judge. If nothing else, kids today should be exposed to the ambience of the blacksmith shop and be amazed at how things use to be made, one item at a time. Getting time wielding a hammer and have it shape hot metal; now that is learning.

Local businesses are the heart and soul of your community, and if they are not supported, they, too, will die out. So, if you are interested in serving time at a forge and anvil; contact James and setup a course or two for you and your friends. As with my other blog posts that spotlight a private business, I do not get paid or receive kick backs for sharing my experience. I am not the government or some big corporation. If I have a good experience I share it, if I have a poor or bad experience, I usually don’t share, unless sharing will prevent harm to others.

Until next time…get off the couch and get your butt next to the forge and make something awesome with your own two hands, hot steel, and a hammer!!!

Mountainman.

Stone Wood & Steel Brochure:

Front

Back

Mountainman Working It! (photo by T.H., 2022)

Are You Ready? Emergency Preparedness Week 2022

 

Thunder Mountain & the Oldman River (photo by V.A. McMillan, 2022)

Are You Ready? Emergency Preparedness Week 2022

Hard to imagine it is already emergency preparedness week, again, here in Canuckistan. Last year was a very turbulent year between floods and wildfires, and 2022 will likely have more of the same challenges to keep Canadians on their toes. So, ARE YOU READY??

For those south of Calgary, on Saturday 07 May 2022, from 1000h – 1500h CERT Canada will be hosting an open house at their headquarters building in High River, Alberta (#6, 609 Centre St. SW | High River, AB) to conclude emergency preparedness week. They will be sharing information on the CERT program and how you can become involved in emergency preparedness in your own neighbourhood or community. I will be attending this event and copies of The GOOD Plan – Get Out Of Dodge will be available for purchase, at $20 a copy.

 

Public Safety Canada offers some generic emergency preparedness information at their website. Here are a few links that you may find interesting and hopefully helpful:

https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/ep-wk/index-en.aspx

https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/yprprdnssgd/index-en.aspx

https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/hzd/index-en.aspx

https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/plns/mk-pln-en.aspx

https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/kts/index-en.aspx

As readers of this blog might recall I have posted some helpful information, too, as well as a few helpful posts from The GOOD Plan Blog. Here are those links:

https://thegoodplanblog.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-rule-of-3s.html

https://thegoodplanblog.blogspot.com/2018/02/sip-good-inch-three-parts-of-family.html

https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2014/01/adapt-improvise-overcome-survival.html

https://thegoodplanblog.blogspot.com/2021/01/emergency-readiness-readiness-endurance.html

https://thegoodplanblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-good-plan-get-out-of-dodge-part-1.html

https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/11/the-good-plan-available-on-amazon.html

https://thegoodplanblog.blogspot.com/2019/07/evacuation-checklist-appendix-n-for.html

https://thegoodplanblog.blogspot.com/2022/03/neighbourhood-defence-tabletop-exercise.html

https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/four-squares-to-resource-management.html

https://thegoodplanblog.blogspot.com/2019/08/urban-go-bag-pack-lists.html

Remember when the chips are down, and the skies are raining cats and dogs and the river is rising, only YOU can ensure you and your family survive!! Know your hazards! Make a PLAN! Build your Go! Bag! And always be ready to action your plan!! Disasters do not wait for you and certainly do not accept timeouts, so you can get ready.

Until next time…It is up to you to be prepared.

 

Mountainman.

Neo-Feudalism - A Critical Thinking Exercise

 

Grande Cache (photo by V.A. McMillan)

The Great Reset promises that you will own nothing, and be happy…is the end goal Neo-Feudalism?

To get this chat started, let us take the time to listen to Tommy Salmons and James Corbett:

https://odysee.com/@corbettreport:0/yearzero-esg:2?&sunset=lbrytv

That was fifty-minutes of your life you cannot get back, but it does give a quick peek behind the curtain of the illusion of life. We are living in one messed up era of human history. So, those who believe they own and control the planet want to shackle you in the chains of servitude to live on your knees at their discretion. The new feudalism…you will own nothing and be happy.

Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-feudalism

So, where are the examples of critical thinking? Surely not everyone agrees with this agenda? Where is the discussion? Debate? Democratic process? Does that not require open discussion and hearing from all stakeholders? When did individuals stop thinking for themselves and transfer that responsibility to others?

A quick search of the world wide web, quickly returns many posts on Neo-Feudalism, here are a couple examples:

https://www.technocracy.news/neo-feudalism-the-great-reset-is-not-great-and-not-new/

https://prospect.org/economy/rise-of-neo-feudalism/

Obviously, I am not the only one who is concerned with where this path is leading. The question becomes, how do we (who care) fix this? What can we, as individuals, do to exit from their program? Glad, you asked.

First, educate yourself. Read and learn the history of human existence. Focus on the behaviour by those in power for the last two centuries, of course, some threads could extend further back a few more centuries. Learn and know your history.

Second, understand the relationship between you and what you purchase and who you give your money to and what they plan to do with your money. Are you funding those who want to oppress you?? Some corporations just want to build quality products and earn decent profits. Other corporations are more interested in power and those corporations will use the money you give them to invest in anything that expands their power. Buy local and support your neighbours and help build a stronger local economy.

Finally, become self-sufficient. If you have not already started to increase your self-sufficiency, today is a good day to start. Grow your own food – convert part of your lawn into a garden. Live in a condo complex and are not allowed to have a garden? Why not, practice gardening in planter boxes on your deck or patio? Similarly, increase your stock of food stuffs that can be stored inside your home. Canned goods, rice, dry pasta, and cooking basics like flour, sugar, salt, oil, and spices. It is always the right time to increase your holding of food reserves. 72-hours of preparedness is a nice start; however, two weeks, two months, or two years would be much better. Start slow and steadily improve your preparedness.

Bonus suggestion – TURN OFF YOUR TV!!! STOP WATCHING THE DAILY DOSE OF PROPAGANDA!! Read more books. Find your opinion, again, and share it at every opportunity. Listen to the opinions of others, even if you do not agree with them. Start thinking for yourself and push back to anyone who infiltrates your personal space to oppression you. They will do whatever you let them do. Critical thinking starts with thinking for yourself.

That is enough for today.

Until next time…stand-up for yourself!

Mountainman.

Update: 18 April 2022

Looks like more folks are sharing their thoughts on feudalism:

Dr. Robert Malone: https://rwmalonemd.substack.com/p/techno-facism-techno-feudalism-or?token%2Fs=r&s=r 

A Community Defence Tabletop Exercise Planning Idea

 

Big Rocks (photo by V.A. McMillan)

Living in interesting times, encourages pondering interesting ideas. Our world is a mess. A cacophony of well orchestrated crises and conflict. Interesting times, indeed, …

Knowledge is the best defence to fear, and to this end we will explore how-to defend our own neighbourhood. Let’s work through planning a tabletop exercise for creating a neighbourhood defence plan. Sounds like fun…right?

We need a scenario, a dystopian event to create challenges and context…

For this we will turn to Eric Walters, the author of The Rule of Three trilogy (2014, 2015, 2016):

Here is a trailer I found on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrjvkYqFq9c

THE RULE of THRE3 COVER ART

The trilogy is based on an event that impacts a community in Southern Ontario, Canada, and the challenges the members of the community face. These books are aimed at a young adult audience, however, the scenario presented works for all audiences looking to create a tabletop exercise. So, before going any further go read The RULE of THRE3 (2014), the first book in the trilogy, … we will wait.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=the+rule+of+three+eric+walters&crid=2L6494ZUHCBMH&sprefix=the+rule+of+three%2Caps%2C171&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_5_17

The planning discussion will be based on the Neighbourhood Defence Plan developed by SATAS Co for thinking about solutions to the challenges presented in Eric Walters' trilogy:

Neighbourhood Defence Plan - Front

Neighbourhood Defence Plan - Back

If this discussion is of interest, please join me at The GOOD Plan Blog for a deeper exploration of this planning idea:

https://thegoodplanblog.blogspot.com/2022/03/neighbourhood-defence-tabletop-exercise.html 

Until next time...If you read a good book or three,

Challenge yourself to find solutions!

Mountainman.

Canada First Model - Reforming the Federal Government

 

Stavely, Alberta (photo by V.A. McMillan)

Canada First Model – Federal Government

 

In previous posts I have explored reforms for the Department of National Defence (https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/04/future-cf-structure-from-partisan.html) and proposed a Canada First Model for Canada’s Army, Navy, and Air Force (https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/06/canada-first-model-land-assets.html , https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/05/canada-first-model-for-national-defence.html , https://mtnmanblog.blogspot.com/2021/07/canada-first-model-for-national-defence.html). Now it is time to make suggestions for the federal government.

Is anyone else sick and tired of the partisan politics and absolute corruption of our current system of government? Is there a different way to structure government?? A way that does not seem like a total waste of our taxpayer’s dollars?? A method that is less easily corrupted and exploited by career politicians?? Would this be a conversation worth exploring??

Recently, I overheard a discussion that explored fragments of this discussion topic. Thus, while I may take the bull by the horns and run off on a tangent, some of the core ideas are not my invention. I am merely sharing a version that I believe would be a good starting point for further discussion and to develop a better solution than our current corrupted, exploited system of governance.

The single key concept is a sequestered, citizen, body of government.

This new interpretation of a representative government would be based on citizen service to their country and fellow citizens. I will present one of many possible versions that could be implemented.

To flesh out the concept here is a quick sketch of the organizational structure:

Org Chart - Sequestered Civic Service

If we retained the tradition of a constitutional monarchy we would keep a Governor General as the monarch’s representative in Canada – basically a figurehead position that is symbolic.

The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister would be the only “elected” positions in government, for the express duty of being the person(s) who will represent Canada and the Canadian government. These representatives would be the best of the best and would never behave in a manner to bring shame to our nation.

The Senate and the Parliament would be staffed by Canadian citizens who would be sequestered into their positions to serve Canada and Canadians. This would be a term of civic servitude that would last up to four (4) years; and a Canadian citizen could not be asked to serve more than two terms in a lifetime; regardless if this service was at the federal or provincial level. A citizen could in theory be sequestered to serve a term in the Senate and the Parliament, or the federal and provincial Parliament, or the federal Senate and provincial Parliament.

Eligible Canadian citizens would include natural born Canadians and those who have lawfully immigrated to Canada and become citizens. Corporations, illegal aliens, and any other non-human entity could not become a member of government.

Once the transition to the new form of government had been made, rotation of periods of service would be offset. Meaning that no more than 50% of the government would be replaced at any one time. Thus, a four (4) year period of service would include two (2) years with one cohort and two (2) years with another cohort. The theory being, that the living wisdom of government operations would not die every four (4) years. However, it may be necessary to keep a “clean up” clause in the founding documents to allow for recall in the event that corruption infiltrates the program, and a restart is required to preserve the Canadian way of life.

One of the first pieces of legislation would be the “Sequestered Services Act” which would establish into law that Canadian citizens sequestered into service of their nation would be required to be given an absence from their current employer and would guarantee a return to employment upon release from their civic duty.

Finally, since Canadian citizens would be required to serve their country, they would be paid for their service, housing would be provided, and transportation costs would be covered during their term of service. Since sequestered citizens may not know everything about their assignment they would be expected to consult with the citizens from their area to learn the consensus of the constituents, when voting on items before the government.

How would you structure this new governance system?

The federal Senate would provide representation by province or territory. This would be equal representation in the form of two representatives for each province or territory, creating an Upper House of 26. As the Upper House (Senate) is the check and balance to the Lower House (Parliament), this would ensure that any legislation was reviewed and confirmed to be in the best interest of Canada, not just one region or city.

The federal Parliament would be organized by federal areas of responsibility. For the sake of this discussion, I have created ten (10) federal areas of responsibility:

·       National Defence

·       First Nations Liaison

·       Communications

·       Foreign Affairs

·       Taxation

·       Citizenship

·       Justice

·       Treasury

·       Transportation

·       Industry & Innovation

While my first attempt to assign representatives was based on:

·       Pacific region x1

·       Prairie region x1

·       Central region x1

·       Maritime region x1

·       North region x1

I would consider increasing the number of representatives from Central region to two (2) representatives. Therefore, in my first iteration the Lower House would have fifty (50) representatives, while the amended version would have sixty (60).

Change the location of the Seat of Power

In keeping with other models of corporate or government change, it would be advisable to move the Nation’s capitol to prevent a rapid regression back to the old corrupt ways. To ensure a new start and a fresh outlook on Canada’s future I would recommend relocating the new Canadian Parliament to McKenzie Island, on Red Lake, Ontario.

Red Lake from Ottawa

McKenzie Island is a near perfect location and represents equality in a truly Canadian fashion…this location would upset all Canadians equally because it is…

·       Too far West to be Eastern Canada

·       Too far East to be Western Canada

·       Too far North to be Southern Canada, &

·       Too far South to be Northern Canada

PERFECT!

Red Lake, ON in Relation to Highway #17

McKenzie Island in Red Lake, Ontario

This location is also a strategic and tactical nightmare for most attackers, against the government. Which means it is a good location to sequester Canadian citizens for their term of civic service. However, several infrastructure upgrades would be required.

·       The highway system into Red Lake would need to be at minimum two-lanes in each direction. Easiest solution would be to build a new four-lane divided highway into the area, that would join Highway #17 just West of Vermillion Bay, Ontario.

Possible Route for Proposed Highway

·       Red Lake would need to be serviced by a twinned rail line, to bring in bulk deliveries.

·       Fibreoptic service would be required from Red Lake to North Bay. A connection into the World Wide Web would be polite.

·       Either a power generation station would need to be located near Red Lake or underground power delivery would be needed to ensure electrical service to the seat of government.

·       Two airports would be needed for servicing travel requirements of the sequestered civic employees. One would need to be an international airport. The other would want to be a military airport.

·       A Canadian Forces base would want to be located within one tactical bound of the Red Lake, with all the necessary defence technologies and staff to protect a nation’s capitol city.

·       The National Emergency Operations Centre would be located on McKenzie Island, preferably in a hardened, subterranean bunker system.

The current Parliament Hill complex in Ottawa, Ontario would be preserved as a national museum and archives. It would likely become a very popular tourist destination.

This is just the first look and exploration of the concept of employing sequestered Canadian citizens into civic duty as an effective replacement to the current, corrupt, exploited system of governance. I hope this has given you cause to pause and reflect on what possible solutions are needed to keep Canada from being corrupted and tarnished in the eyes of Canadians and citizens of the world.

Until next time…listen for ideas to stir your imagination!

Mountainman.

Double Wall Basic Trapper's Cabin Concept

Creek in the Mountains (Photo by V.A. McMillan)

Welcome to a new year and time to ponder new ideas...

Anyone else ever wanted to head to the hills, build a cabin, and get away from it all...even for a short time? The thought crosses my mind on occasion. I have enjoyed the video Alone in the Wilderness (2004) by Dick Proenneke, when he built his cabin in Alaska. The key takeaway from his story is using logs that one person can manoeuvre. Which means the logs want to be dry and of a diameter that helps reduce the weight. Further, the cabin wants to be large enough to provide just enough living space, but not too large that the timbers will be too heavy for a lone builder to manage. To this end, my thoughts are an interior dimension of 8 feet by 12 twelve feet, would provide a balance between usable space and manageable timbers, if they were in the 5 1/2 inch to 6 inch diameters. 

The next challenge, especially living in The Great White North of Canada where winter is longer than summer, is ensuring adequate insulation for the walls. A six inch log will have some insulating value, but nothing near what 14" to 16" diameter logs would provide. Which directed my thoughts to double wall construction...

Why couldn't you have a cabin-within-a-cabin design?? Use five and half to six inch diameter logs and start with an inner cabin that ensures a living space of eight feet by twelve feet. Then, have an outer cabin that is twelve feet by sixteen feet. This will leave about two feet of space between inner and outer walls. I have two thoughts on filling this space. First, use dirt and a log tamper to create a "rammed earth" wall between the logs. Secondly, fill the space with sand. From the visit to L'Anse aux Meadows to see the Viking settlement, I learned that the sod foundation for the Viking Long House used sod two feet wide with a gravel core about two feet wide and an inner sod wall about two feet wide. The resulting six foot thick wall offered insulation, water management, and strength to support the roof. So, why wouldn't this concept work for a smaller structure like a Trapper's Cabin??

Figure 1 Sketch of Double Wall Cabin

Above, is a basic sketch of a Trapper's Cabin using a double wall system. It would be constructed of small diameter logs - Jack Pine or Cedar. Local timber options would dictate availability of preferred timber. 

The design would incorporate inner and outer doors. The inner door would be smaller to keep heat in. The outer door would swing out and have a heavy overlap with the log framing. Heavy cross timbers inside the outer door would prevent Grizzly Bears from opening the door when you were sleeping. 

The rough sketch does not show it, but windows could be built into this design, they would just have super deep window sills, which could be useful for multiple panes of glass, creating mini greenhouses on south facing windows. Also, the windows would incorporate inner and outer shutters to protect the glass when you were away from your cabin. 

This rough sketch is obviously not drawn to scale, but conveys enough details to share the idea. Also missing from this sketch is the front overhang that would create a front porch to add living space during fair weather and a transition zone during foul weather. A wood stove would be needed to survive a Canadian winter and a healthy supply of firewood. I would prefer a metal roof, however, a sod covered roof could work in many areas. Dick Proenneke's moss covered roof would require an environment that would allow for moss to grow in abundance. 

I will tinker with this idea for a time and if any new revelations come to me, I will share them in an update.

Until next time...dream up new ideas!!

Mountainman.