If you’re looking to become more knowledgeable of and proficient in survival, look no further than the military.
Militaries are not only equipped with all the tools they need to survive the reality of war and any conditions that might take place but they’re trained to navigate any environment or physical challenge.
Before we dive into some of these tips, it’s important to state that we won’t just be looking more closely at military strategies as they apply to combat.
Our list encompasses military strategies that will serve to enhance your own prepper strategies, whether you’re learning more about first aid, essential products, or self-defense skills.
With the above in mind, here are 20 military strategies every prepper should learn.
20 Military Strategies Every Prepper Should Learn
#1. Learn to Navigate Fight or Flight Responses
Being able to listen to your fight or flight response makes you far more effective at survival so that you know what you need to do instead of standing there like a deer in the headlights.
That said, every action has consequences.
Knowing what choice to make and how to deal with it later is something that many veterans recommend learning how to do if you wish to navigate survival situations effectively.
#2. Adopt a Workout Routine
Most military branches have some form of training or boot camp to make sure that anyone looking to enlist is physically fit enough to undergo wartime scenarios.
While you probably won’t be going to war, this is a valuable lesson to walk away with.
Being physically fit makes survival much easier, both in terms of being able to run and walk and in terms of keeping you healthier so you encounter fewer obstacles.
Adopt a workout routine that keeps you fit and healthy so you can withstand many challenges.
This includes doing lots of body weight exercises, like pushups, pullups, lunges, squats, and planks.
#3. Absolutely Have a Bug-Out Bag With the Essentials
Military personnel never leave without their own bag of equipment, and neither should you.
A bug-out bag comes in all forms, but some of the items you’ll likely have on you regardless of the intent of the bag include first-aid items, food, water, extra clothing, self-defense items, cash, and so on.
If you ever need to leave quickly during an emergency, you need a bug-out bag!
#4. Establish Emotional Intelligence and Resilience to Keep Yourself Mentally Healthy
Too many military veterans have seen their friends bottle up emotions to the degree that those emotions start to harm them or prevent them from being clear-headed when those emotions finally do show up.
Survival situations can be tense and difficult to deal with.
Learn how to be emotionally intelligent enough and resilient enough to cope with the feelings you’re experiencing so you can be mentally healthy and prepared for the path ahead.
#5. Develop a Strong Focus
Tunnel focus is something that veterans will talk about as being a useful tool, but one that can be detrimental outside of survival situations.
If you can manage it without it becoming a way of life, it can help you focus seriously on each task until that task is done.
This can make all the difference when you’re in a crisis situation where you need to focus in order to survive.
#6. Figure Out the Best Strategies for Making Fire
As a prepper, your goal is to make sure you have everything on hand in case of an emergency.
But what happens if you’re caught off guard or you run out of materials and you need to do something like start a fire?
Knowing basic survival skills like how to start a fire with flint and steel or even by rubbing two sticks together can make all the difference if you’re caught unaware and need to stay alive.
#7. Learn How to Use Classic Navigation Tools
Similar to the recommendation above, knowing how to navigate your environment without the help of GPS technology is a valuable skill.
Sure, GPS is great and will likely get you far.
But if it fails, you’re in for a world of trouble if you don’t know how to find resources or nearby civilization.
Learn how to survive without technology so you’re always prepared.
#8. Become an Expert on Natural and Safe Food Sources
If there ever comes a time when you need to eat the things growing around you, it’s important to know what’s safe and what’s not.
Too many people will consume things they think are fine, only to find out that they’re not.
Military members know what they can and can’t eat just in case they are ever put in that position.
#9. Learn How to Build Shelters
Most know how to build shelters from what they’ve seen on TV or in the movies, which isn’t much.
A shelter is one of your most important survival resources, and you can make it with limited materials.
It will help you stay warm and dry if you’re ever lost.
Although it will take some time to figure out, make sure you know how to do this just in case you don’t have your usual camping gear with you.
#10. Absorb Self-Defense Knowledge That Works on People and Animals
When most people think of survival, they think of self-defense.
This is obviously the military’s bread and butter.
Take self-defense classes and learn how to defend yourself regardless of whether you’re using weapons or you’re engaging in hand-to-hand combat.
It’s also important to know how to defend yourself against any animals you may encounter in a survival situation.
#11. Take Courses on First-Aid
The military knows that emergency first-aid is the only thing that stands between life and death in crises.
Taking courses on basic first-aid will help you learn how to use all the various medical supplies you’re likely stocking up on.
If you don’t have the knowledge of how to use them, they’re just taking up space and won’t provide the intended benefits.
#12. Know How to Signal for Help
Survival is more than just making sure you can be self-sufficient.
Sometimes, survival is about getting help as soon as possible.
While it’s very easy to get help with your phone, you might not always have that luxury.
The military makes sure that all members know how to signal for help if they need it.
#13. Try Finding a System That Works for You, Like OODA
Systems make it easier for us to remember what to do in survival situations.
One tip you can take from the military is OODA:
- Observe your surroundings.
- Orient yourself to the situation.
- Decide what to do.
- Act.
Systems can make it easier to keep our heads on straight and figure out the right course of action when everything seems senseless and chaotic.
#14. Look for Trainers or Role Models
There are military people out there who are ready and willing to dispense their knowledge.
If you’re looking to learn more from them, connect with them!
There are likely tons already with their own communities or teaching courses who are waiting for people like you to sign up or reach out.
#15. Learn the Difference Between Survival and Extremism
There’s a vast difference between survival and extremism.
In the military, some have seen this in the form of dehumanizing the enemy, using anger and aggression always, and engaging in other unhealthy behaviors.
Speaking more broadly to preppers, there are those who prep for realistic situations and those who go out of their way to do absolutely everything they can for something that might not come.
Know the difference between survival and extremism, so you’re taking the right approach.
#16. Always Have Strategies at the Ready for Any Potential Scenario
Continuing with the above point, it’s important to strategize.
Be ready for anything that’s probably to happen, but don’t overextend yourself trying to plan for everything.
Use the knowledge you have in hand and figure out what your next steps are to make sure that you aren’t blindsided like others may be.
#17. Take Good Care of Yourself
Beyond just exercising, it’s important that you take good care of yourself.
You need to eat well, drink plenty of water, and so on.
The military makes sure to keep themselves in peak physical condition so that they’re able to operate as optimally as possible when they need to.
#18. Get Your Life in Order
Before deployment and even after, organization is critical to all military members.
If you’re disorganized and unprepared, it puts you at risk of not being able to properly respond to whatever life throws your way.
Get your life in order (in every facet of your life) so that you’re prepared for the future.
#19. Understand Your Motivations and Let That Fuel You
The will to survive can be gradually chipped away at, which is why you need to have intrinsic motivation that will help you carry on when you’re starting to feel like you can’t do it anymore.
Whether it’s family, friends, or even prospects for the future, identify your motivations and let that fuel you.
It’s a helpful tip whether you’re in the military or just going about everyday life!
#20. Get More Sleep
One not-so-great aspect of the military is constant sleep deprivation.
Sleeping less than 7 to 9 hours each day is bad for your health and makes it harder to function optimally.
Since you’re not in the military, this is one strategy you can learn from.
Get the sleep you need to function as well as you possibly can.