15 Military Strategies Every Serious Prepper Must Master Now

Military strategies aren’t just for soldiers—they’re crucial for preppers, too. These battle-proven tactics can help you stay safe and secure when disaster strikes.

Military techniques offer valuable lessons in resource management, security, and adaptability. Learning these strategies can improve your chances of survival in a crisis.

We chose these strategies for their effectiveness in high-pressure situations. Each tactic is easy to understand and implement, making them essential for anyone serious about prepping.

1. Situational Awareness

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Situational awareness is the practice of constantly observing your surroundings. It involves noticing potential threats, escape routes, and useful resources. Military personnel train to maintain this awareness at all times. For preppers, this skill can help avoid danger and spot opportunities. Practice by regularly scanning your environment and mentally noting important details.

2. The OODA Loop

OODA Loop
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The OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) is a decision-making process developed by military strategist John Boyd. It helps in quickly assessing situations and taking action. Preppers can use this method to make fast, effective choices in emergencies. To practice, run through scenarios in your mind, applying each step of the OODA Loop to improve your decision-making speed.

3. Camouflage and Concealment

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Blending into your surroundings can be important for staying unnoticed, but for most preppers, it’s less about military-grade camouflage and more about simple strategies like wearing neutral colors, avoiding attention, and using natural cover. Practicing these techniques during outdoor activities can help you stay discreet in various environments without needing full military-level camouflage skills.

4. Operational Security (OPSEC)

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OPSEC is about protecting critical information. For preppers, this means being careful about who knows your plans, supplies, and capabilities. Military personnel use OPSEC to prevent enemies from gaining an advantage. Practice by being mindful of what you share on social media and in conversations about your prepping activities.

5. Tactical Communications

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Clear, concise communication is crucial in emergencies. While military units use specific protocols, preppers can focus on practical communication tools like walkie-talkies, satellite phones, or apps that work offline. Developing a simple family communication plan, with predetermined meeting points and clear instructions, is key for staying connected during a crisis.

6. Small Unit Tactics

Family with emergency backpacks leaving their front door quickly due to an emergency evacuation
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Working effectively in small groups is essential, but you don’t need to master advanced military tactics. For preppers, it’s more about teamwork, coordination, and simple defense strategies. Organizing a neighborhood watch or practicing basic drills with your family can ensure everyone knows their role in an emergency without requiring complex small unit tactics.

7. Supply Chain Management

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Managing your supplies efficiently is critical for long-term survival. For most preppers, this means organizing food, water, and essentials with simple systems like stock rotation and restocking schedules. While military supply chain management is highly detailed, a practical approach to “resource management” will help you keep your survival essentials well-maintained and ready.

8. Reconnaissance and Intelligence Gathering

mother explaining to her children the assembly point map while preparing emergency backpacks
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While military recon techniques can be advanced, for preppers, gathering local information is more practical. This could include mapping nearby water sources, staying updated on local news, or learning about the geography of your area. Creating a basic map of your neighborhood and knowing key resources is an effective way to prepare without requiring full military-level intelligence gathering.

9. Defensive Fortification

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Securing your home is important, but most preppers don’t need to build military-grade fortifications. Simple security upgrades—such as reinforcing doors, securing windows, adding lighting, and using surveillance cameras—can greatly improve your home’s defense. Start by assessing your current security and making practical, cost-effective improvements.

10. Evasion and Escape

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Sometimes, the best strategy is to avoid conflict altogether. Military personnel train in evasion techniques to avoid capture. Preppers can benefit from knowing how to move undetected, cover their tracks, and find safe routes. Practice these skills during hikes or camping trips, learning to move quietly and leave minimal signs of your presence.

11. Field Craft

Shelter and Exposure
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Fieldcraft covers a wide range of outdoor survival skills. It includes fire-making, shelter-building, and improvising tools. Military survival training emphasizes these skills for operating in hostile environments. Preppers should regularly practice these techniques to stay sharp and prepared for outdoor survival scenarios.

12. Psychological Resilience

Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
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Mental toughness is a key part of military training. It involves managing stress, maintaining morale, and staying focused under pressure. Preppers can build psychological resilience through regular stress management practices, such as meditation or exposure to controlled challenging situations.

13. Adaptability and Improvisation

Two boys trying to make a fire with hand-drill method.
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The military teaches personnel to adapt to changing situations and make do with available resources. This skill is invaluable for preppers who might face unexpected challenges. Practice by regularly solving problems with limited tools or resources, forcing yourself to think creatively.

14. Physical Fitness and Health Maintenance

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Military personnel maintain high levels of physical fitness to perform under stress. For preppers, good health and fitness can be the difference between survival and failure in a crisis. Develop a regular exercise routine and focus on functional fitness that mimics real-world tasks.

15. Leadership and Team Building

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Effective leadership is crucial in military operations and can be equally important in survival situations. Understanding how to motivate, organize, and direct a group can help preppers manage their families or communities during crises. Practice leadership skills by taking on responsibilities in community organizations or leading family projects.

Best Hunting Rifles of the Last 50 Years

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Choosing the “best” hunting rifle is a pretty personal thing. We all have different opinions and preferences on what we like to hunt with. But still, over the last 50 years, there have been some remarkable weapons. Over the past half-century, the evolution of hunting rifles has seen so many innovations, catering to a wide range of needs from the casual deer hunter to the adventurous big-game enthusiast. What’s your favorite hunting rifle? Which weapons deserve a spot on this list?

14 Most Versatile Hunting Cartridges

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With almost 16 million hunters in the United States, and with such a huge range of game to hunt, the right rifle and the best cartridge is critical. We have some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, with animals ranging from tiny squirrels to gigantic moose. The cornerstone of a successful hunt lies in the hunter’s skill and knowledge but also in the choice of ammunition. The right cartridge can make all the difference, offering the power needed for a clean, humane kill without compromising the quality of the game.

20 States Where the Government Can Seize Your Firearm

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The right to bear arms remains a topic of heated debate across the globe, but only a handful of nations constitutionally protect this right, with the United States being one of the most prominent. Yet, the freedom to own firearms in the U.S. is not absolute. Federal restrictions are in place for certain groups, and state laws further define circumstances under which firearms may be seized, particularly for individuals deemed at “extreme risk” or involved in domestic violence situations.

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