An expert in SHTF scenarios, I’ve lived and breathed survival from a young age. Growing up in a quaint little run-down, drug-infested beach town in New Jersey, I witnessed firsthand the harsh realities that hard times bring. Before I even passed third grade, I watched a man get beaten to death on the beach—a moment that forever changed how I see the world. What many call “situational awareness” is just how I operate; I don’t need a catchphrase for it.
Unlike many survival experts who adopted these skills later in life, I was born in it, molded by it. I’m not claiming to have lived through the worst things imaginable or to be an expert in offensive skill craft, but I likely understand survival at a deeper level than those who’ve only experienced it as temporary tourists in hostile environments.
By the middle of high school, I was in continuation school and rehab. The military became my path forward after my recruiter and lawyer convinced the district attorney to drop my charges down to a misdemeanor. I believe God’s mercy played a role in steering me away from a fate that claimed many of my peers, who either have criminal records or didn’t live to see 40.
My 10-year military career was anchored in industrial fabrication specialties, but the “Do More With Less” military of the ’90s and 2000s ensured I learned much more. I dealt with industrial hazards from the flight line to rocket research labs and was trained extensively in surviving and operating in Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) environments, HAZMAT response, and security augmentation. Serving on a base in the middle of the Californian desert—known as the meth lab capital of the state with no perimeter fence—was more interesting than advertised.
After leaving the military, I worked as a HAZMAT and Weapons of Mass Destruction technician at a funny-shaped building in the capital region, affectionately known as the Puzzle Palace. There, I dealt with dangers that never made the news, likely due to a mix of national security and saving management from career-ending embarrassment.
I then became an NBC Warehouse Manager for a military counter-terrorism unit involved in regional issues that made national headlines. I oversaw logistics and readiness of mission equipment, supporting both boots-on-the-ground operations and command-level strategies. This role deepened my understanding of the tactics and logistics required for responding to attacks, disasters, and mass casualty incidents.
Later, I supported an entire military branch with global chemical and biological detection and defense logistics, evolving into multi-service support for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) defense and Consequence Management. I’ve been part of training exercises and real-world events for scenarios including Nuclear Attacks, Pandemics, Cyber Attacks on Critical Infrastructure, EMPs, large-scale terror attacks, economic collapse, supply chain disruptions, and natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes.
Now, I’m in the software industry, leveraging my experiences to facilitate logistical tempo and readiness. It might seem far removed from my past, but I’m still tackling the high-level problem-solving I’ve grown accustomed to. In my personal life, I’ve made preparedness and survival my hobbies—not just “Call of Duty” stuff, but actual training with industry experts and Tier-1 operators. I’ve volunteered in search and rescue and assisted with disaster preparedness for my church and employers.
With this broad and deep level of SHTF experience, I’m passionate about helping others navigate difficult environments during hazardous times. I’m here to provide a unique perspective on what practical preparedness looks like, grounded in real-world experience.
The though of the nex disaster isn’t an “if” statement, it’s a “when” statement.
