Veteran’s Corner

Tom Krabbenhoft

Traveling to watch the Spuds wrestling team first meet of the year last Thursday in Bemidji. The drive is a long one. Though quite scenic during the day, driving home at night is another story. It’s dark and deer are everywhere, buildings are far and few. I have this survival bell that rings. The bell was loud on my drive.
I realized my winter survival kit was not in my car. All I had was a medium jacket and light gloves. I did have snacks and water. Even though this winter so far has been a gift. A night outside could be very best miserable and worse fatal.
My survival kit. Blankets, warm clothes, hand warmers, poncho, hi carb snacks and water. Fill the bottles up 3/4s if the freeze they will not break or leak.
In my life I learned about the 7 Ps Piss Poor Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance. It’s simplicity is grand.
I recall attending Infantry leadership school to become a mid-level NCO. We were on a night patrol. Navigating at night always posed extra problems. We were hit with an ambush, immediately after the ambush I was placed in charge of the platoon. That was part of the schooling, to drop us into leadership or other spots at random undetermined times, with zero warning. My mind was fluttering as to what to do. I was in a panic with the new responsibility and the post chaos and yelling. It was hectic and frustrating; I wasn’t sure what to do. Realizing patrols are like anything else, they start and they stop. When one realizes this that is when clarity happens.
Being prepared is gained from reading, listening and doing.
Thinking of one’s next step in life using the 7Ps has always better prepared me for whats next.
Military life as in civilian life we should as the Boy Scouts say “Be Prepared.”
Send your veteran-related items to me at 11btwk@gmail.com.