Sagging

[CharlesHarris]

I wear suspenders to hold my heavily loaded cargo pants up. When I was working a few people would give me a hard time about the stuff I carried in my pockets. I believe it is import to always have basic gear the same way you carry your wallet. It is always on your person, because it is important. Either you are “prepared” or you are not. I was detailed to the office of emergency management doing damage assessment and emergency response much of the time. So my pocket gear went everywhere. It was part of being professionally prepared for the job.

Now that I am retired I still carry this stuff, because I live out in the country, often beyond cell phone coverage and you cannot depend on rapid emergency response. If “it” happens, you are on your own. I am not going to be caught unprepared. If I walked out of the house without 550 cord in my back pocket, you would have thought I had forgot my pants. My standard gear at all times is a folding lockblade Bundewehr utililty pocket knife (which is legal here) a Leatherman tool, BIC lighter in right front pocket, wallet in back, 550 cord and an Army wound dressing in right cargo with a Witz container containing puri tabs, fishing line, hooks, rubber lead head jigs and dental floss. Quik-Clot sponges go in my left cargo pocket with my Surefire flashlight. In the left front I carry a ferro rod and striker. I wear appropriate cargo pants or shorts to carry all of that. When I was working, I was not permitted to carry a firearm, but was entrusted with a chain saw, axe and pitchfork in my work truck. I can tell you from personal experience that when you are confronted with multiple loose pit bull dogs in a bad part of town, the pitchfork works better than a pistol!

But now that I am retired I am no longer impeded by “work rules” and being licensed to carry a concealed handgun, I do so most of the time. A 4” barrel blue steel Colt Police Positive .38 Special is securely holstered inside my right waistband, with two Speed strips of spare ammo ride in the front cargo pocket next to my Android phone. In the last 20 years I spent working, I had to rely on what I brought with me to storm damaged or wild parts. In the crowd that I run with now, leaving the house without a firearm is like leaving without your pants. So, with all that being said, what do you carry daily? I hope at least the minimum.

The water bottle, CLIF bars and lunch are always nearby, if not in my outer coat pockets.