From the category archives:

Reading

Black Powder Red Earth Graphic Novel: Exclusive Interview with Kane Smith

by Bryan Black on October 10, 2011

Since first hearing of the Black Powder Red Earth Graphic Novel, I’d been wanting to read it. I’m actually a huge comic book / graphic novel fan and was stoked to meet BPRE mastermind Jon Chang recently and get a copy to check out!

Jon also put me in touch with co-storywriter and Special Operations Contractor Kane Smith, who I had the chance to interview. His Q&A below really gives some great insight into the plot development. No spoilers, I promise! [Read More…]

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Real Combat Life: Helping Soldiers and Veterans Share their Stories

by The ITS Crew on July 30, 2010

If you haven’t heard about Real Combat Life yet, built to provide an outlet to share combat experiences, you definitely need to head over and check it out.

Not long ago they won a $25k grant through the Pepsi Refresh Project to help out their organization, and move them closer to becoming their own non-profit organization.

We think their idea is fantastic, as writing down experiences is often a good way to make a transition to civilian life easier to handle. Real Combat Life is a great way to support our troops and allow the public a glimpse of what life in combat is like.

Head on over and contribute if you have a story to share!

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Learn the Secrets of CIA Tradecraft

by The ITS Crew on March 7, 2010

Did you know that the CIA hired a magician to write a pair of tradecraft manuals for them in the early 1950s?

Magician John Mulholland wrote these once classified manuals to show CIA case officers how to secretly pass documents, hide items discretely, slip pills into enemy cocktails and even covert communication tricks. The real nuts and bolts of espionage!

Once thought to have been destroyed, one copy of each of the two declassified manuals was recovered by the author and appear in their entirety within The Official CIA Manual of Trickery and Deception.

The book is a very good read for those interested in CIA tradecraft history and also its original roots in stage magic.

For more of our book selections, check out our recommended reading list.

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Evacuation Strategies and Emergency Kits for Staying Alive

by The ITS Crew on September 13, 2009

The book Surviving A Disaster by Tony Nester has been on our recommended reading list for quite some time.

What this book has to separate it from all the other survival books out there, is how to develop a mindset of self-reliance.

Self-reliance is a guiding principle we took to heart when developing ITS Tactical. We strongly believe that without the proper mindset, all we attempt to teach here is potentially wasted.

Through preparation, learning and applying these skills with reinforcement, the proper mindset will be attained. This is what Nester drives home in Surviving A Disaster. [Read More…]

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Knot So Simple

by The ITS Crew on August 30, 2009

CBS Sunday Morning ran an excellent segment today titled “Knot So Simple.”

Correspondent Serena Altschul took a look at the International Guild of Knot Tyers in the United Kingdom, and interviewed Phoebe Ashley Shardon, the daughter of Clifford Ashley.

Ashley is the writer and illustrator of the Ashley Book of Knots (1944). The ABOK is still known as the bible of knot tying today, and is a must for anyone wanting to learn more about knot tying.

We highly encourage everyone interested to pick up a copy, it’s a fantastic reference book and it’s authority still rings true after 65 years.

Check out the video from today’s CBS Sunday Morning segment here.

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“It’s the Tribes, Stupid!”

by The ITS Crew on August 8, 2009

Author and historian Stephen Pressfield has recently published a video blog called “War & Reality in Afghanistan.”

Pressfield makes a remarkable comparison between Alexander the Great’s Afghan campaign and our own war today, as well as offering unique insight into the underpinnings of this war on terror.

We’ve embedded the YouTube videos here so you can view all five episodes, but we’d encourage you to visit Pressfield’s blog as well.

He has continued to update his blog posts quite frequently and offers some very insightful information within each and every post.

Pressfield’s book, “Gates of Fire,” is something we all here at ITS Tactical feel should be required reading for anyone interested in any kind of military special programs. [Read More…]

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Lock Picking Resources

by The ITS Crew on July 3, 2009

cia Here’s a couple of great reference reads that everyone interested in getting into lock picking should peruse.

We feel these are the top three open-source guides available out there right now, and should give everyone a solid understanding of lock picking basics.

LSI Guide from Locksport International

MIT Lock Guide

CIA Lock Picking Field Operative Training Manual

If anyone knows of another great resource, please post it to the comments

These lock picking tips and techniques provided in this article are only to be used in accordance with all local, state, and federal laws and provided for lock sport (recreational lock picking) use only. Lock sport should be used to learn about the illusion of security, and how to properly protect yourself and your possessions. Don’t do anything illegal.

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Gates of Fire

by The ITS Crew on April 30, 2009

Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield is another one of those books on the top of our list here at ITS Tactical. We’ve all talked about how this book should be on the required reading list for anyone attempting any type of Spec Ops training. Pressfield gives an in depth look into the Greek’s way of life and their suicide mission at Thermopylae.

Gates of Fire is all about brotherhood, camaraderie, integrity and grit told through the Spartan’s perspective. Anyone that’s ever been around a group of hard charging knuckle draggers can relate to Pressfield’s words, and the sick, twisted and warped sense of humor that comes in the face of adversity.

While it’s been a little over 10 years since it’s first publishing, the words still ring true… [Read More…]

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Emergency! This Book Will Save Your Life

by Bryan Black on April 3, 2009

Emergency Book

I haven’t been much in the reading mood lately, but Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life by Neil Strauss is amazing! I finished all 418 pages the same day I bought it. I can’t say that a book has held my attention like this ever before. Emergency is packed with information on how to increase your odds of surviving and escaping when SHTF.

Strauss has in depth information on obtaining multiple passports, living off the grid, crossing the border, lock picking, protecting your assets, Swiss banking and the art of disappearing. I can’t say that I have any money for an off-shore account, but we can dream can’t we?

If you’ve ever read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand then this book is for you.

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