Article and Review by Christopher (Moon) Mullins
A Modern Perspective on “Tactical Survival 101” by Nick Jacobellis
Ever wonder what it takes to survive when the unexpected hits? “Tactical Survival 101” goes beyond basic training, equipping soldiers with the skills needed to thrive even when technology fails. Military personnel, Law Enforcement Officers, and paratroopers are no strangers to unexpected situations. “Tactical Survival 101” recognizes this reality and goes beyond the rudimentary survival skills often covered in basic training. The book acknowledges our modern dependence on technology and emphasizes the critical need for self-reliance in its absence.
Action in the absence of guidance or direct orders = Discipline!
While common sense plays a role in survival, true preparedness, especially in technology-deprived scenarios, demands mastery of knowledge, fieldcraft, and proper equipment. This aspect holds particular value for military personnel deployed in unfamiliar environments.
More than just a collection of tips by a random survivalist, “Tactical Survival 101” is a professional-level guide and handbook from a veteran police officer and federal agent with extensive experience in covert operations and real-world deployments against some of the worst criminals and organized drug smugglers! This book should serve as a motivational tool for the reader to get your personal or family plan together for the worst-case scenarios facing the average homeowners today. It encourages readers to actively seek training that complements existing military survival strategies and procedures, such as those found in the Ranger or Engineer handbooks. This in-depth review delves deeper, exploring the book’s relevance to military operations and comparing its methods to established training and field manuals.
Specifically, the review examines how the book’s skills and techniques can be applied in various military contexts, including:
Responding effectively to major regional, national, or global crises
Adapting to constantly evolving and potentially dangerous situations
Operating effectively in unfamiliar environments
Gathering vital intelligence and conducting thorough threat assessments
Selecting and utilizing appropriate survival gear and weaponry, keeping in mind the need to balance defensive and offensive capabilities depending on the situation
The review acknowledges the importance of finding a balance between defense and offense, tailoring tactics based on the specific scenario.
By comparing the book’s content to existing military resources and highlighting its potential to complement existing training, the review positions “Tactical Survival 101” as a valuable addition to a military reader’s reference library.
Nick Jacobellis is a Medically Retired U.S. Customs Agent and a former NY police officer who was physically disabled in the line of duty while working undercover as a federal agent. To date, the author has published over 230 magazine articles and over a dozen action-packed nonfiction, historical fiction, and fiction books: Controlled Delivery Books One and Two, The Frontline Fugitives Books I, II, III, and IV, Buck Banderas U.S. Marshal Books One and Two, A Special Kind of Hero and The K9 Academy. These books are available on Amazon.com (US), and (UK). The author was born and raised in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn N.Y. and has a BS Degree in Police Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Ratings:
Overall: 5 stars
Readability: 5 stars
Believability: 5 stars
Accuracy: 5 stars
Relevance and storytelling: 5 stars
Here is the index of Nick’s book that details the completely thorough reference guide and operational handbook on Survival tactics, techniques, and best practices. I have highlighted my favorite chapters below.
- The Long Road to Tactical Survival
- Serving on the Front Lines of the Drug War
- Becoming a More Experienced Tactical Survivor
- Go West, Young Man, Go West
- Rule Number
- Coping With a Major Regional, National, or Global Crisis/Cataclysmic Event
- When Things Go from Bad to Worse
- Screening New Acquaintances During a Serious Crisis
- Adapt, Overcome, Improvise and Survive
- Three Days to Empty Shelves
- Surviving in Place/Sheltering in Place Versus Relocating
- The Place You Call Home Can be a Safe Zone During One Crisis, and Ground Zero in the Next
- Bathing in the Field the Old Fashion Way
- Health & Fitness
- Necessity is the Mother of Invention
- The Enemy Within
- Getting Stranded Away from Home During a Serious Crisis
- Scavenging for Supplies to Survive in Exigent Circumstances
- The Nomadic Option
- The Pros & Cons of Approaching Strangers and Unfamiliar Locations During an Elevation in the Threat Level (super important!)
- Know the Rules Before You Join a Survival Community, Also Known as Look Before You Leap
- Living in a Bartering Economy
- The Squad-Based Survival System
- Gathering Intelligence & Conducting a Threat Assessment
- Tactical Bags, Backpacks, Shoulder Bags, Equipment Bags on Wheels, and Other Essential Survival Gear
- Dress & Equip Yourself for the Occasion
- Body Armor & Ballistic Helmets
- There is No Such Thing as a Fair Fight When You are Fighting for Your Life
- Dealing with Armed Intruders & Home Invasion Teams
- Highly Recommended Firearms for Personal Protection and Survival Applications
- Never Underestimate .22 Long Rifle Caliber Firearms
- Edged Weapons
- Summing up Tactical Survival
I didn’t highlight some of the earlier chapters as my personal favorites, that dealt with “street survival” encounters, and the critical importance of being properly trained and operating with properly vetted associates/personnel, because I am somewhat familiar with this content. I have read Nick’s non-fiction books, Controlled Delivery Book One and Book Two Series, which document some of his adventures when serving as a police officer, as a U.S. Customs Agent, and as an undercover agent. If you check the link below you can find these fantastic books.
This book and Nick’s previous books can be found on Amazon at this link, https://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Survival-101-Nick-Jacobellis/dp/1733351671/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._31O_gJUr1ST-VhddWaf3WstBVZs6zZyCmmo-aI1sWBhEhL_c4p-ByVeQ8KKFjy84lgBWPi-2lwVMA5plArLp-i3aXsiEToYGPzxJ71WdrVUPqE4NVfXaChqis_XW65VMudFmh-3tID95PP9tqLUKdSZNUwC8NK3aWFstXIb8je1jK2B-HBxuRw00A5CakN4mgfbO2Ix8pK4wlpxLcngB_Fw7d8TC-O-TZVyUFv1r_w.PD5CUGgzywuqLcwCxdBLmxGF42GhnI6FgtV5YGhasAE&dib_tag=se&qid=1709141306&refinements=p_27%3ANick+Jacobellis&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Nick+Jacobellis
