
This was taken the day before my first deployment after having children.
One of the toughest and most rewarding jobs you can have is raising a child from infancy to adulthood, and finding out that you “Did it right”. When my children were born, the biggest thing I remember thinking was how much greater a sense of love and protectiveness I felt for them than I had ever imagined I could. While raising them, there have been many lessons I’ve learned, but I think the greatest one was that of teaching them how to think, not what to think, and how to figure things out for themselves.

Make Survivalist oriented things fun for them.
As much as we’d like to indoctrinate our children, giving them the freedom to come to their own conclusions about different topics is prerequisite to setting them up for success. The biggest hurdle is being a good example and living “what you preach”. You can say whatever you like, but if your actions don’t reflect what you’ve said, it will eventually fall on deaf ears (especially with teenagers), and maybe even push them in the opposite direction.

Top, Bryco “Jennings Jr”, Center “Red Ryder”, Bottom is a Cabelas double barrel cap gun
My children started shooting at the age of 3. Initially, they started out with a Bryco “Jennings Jr.” .22LR (I used a .22, because they could cock the action themselves, Red Ryders were too difficult) shooting Aguila Colibri rounds at cans 15 feet away (kids love and I believe need the immediate feedback of reactive targets, especially at that age).
Around 6, they received “Red Ryders”, and were able to go on their own mini safaris while camping or in the back yard. At the age of 10, they both started with an M4 (low recoil, adjustable stock and I have the .22 kit for it) and a Springfield XD 9mm (high capacity, smallish grip, and I like the grip safety for kids). By the time they reached the age of 12, they could put many an adult to shame with their shooting ability.

Many a “hunt” they took their “Doubles” on.

Getting ready for the “Big Hunt” in the back yard.
Safety started with Cabelas toy side by side cap shotguns at 4 years old (they didn’t walk around the house with any “gun”, toy or otherwise, before that) These toy guns had a working safety and cartridges that could be loaded and unloaded, and if they were playing with them, a surprise inspection better show they were in a safe condition.

Kids love those reactive targets with the Red Ryder or the .22LR.. “Enemy bottles, 12 O’clock!”
By the time they received their M4’s and Springfield XD 9mm’s, they were about as safe as one can be in handling a firearm (Muzzle, Trigger, Safety). They have continued to practice and get better over the years, and I have never had to worry about whether they were safe (the most important aspect of firearms training) when given a loaded firearm.
From 10 to 12 years of age, they never did any rapid fire shooting with any semi automatic (but they sure wanted to!). Slow aimed fire was the rule (only hits count, right?), so when they finally got to the point of being able to rapid fire, they always hit the target they shot at.

100 Meter practice with the M4

First time rapid fire with the xd. 6 shots, 5 hits at 15 meters
When it comes to survival firearms training, it is important to give them experience on all types of weapons. My children have learned to use most military and civilian type (actions) firearms, simply because you never know what you might pick up and have to use in an emergency.

Springfield Model 1922 .22LR

Shooting the AKMS
I have given my children training in basic Small Unit Tactics (they have gone through the same stuff I teach in the Rural Buddy Team Essentials Course [RBTEC].) They have learned the basics of wilderness survival, simply because it is the most basic individual survival skill a person should know. Even if you are anti-violence, ant-gun, an ExCon or whatever, you should know how to survive in the woods.

Down time during a Survival class.

Practicing patrolling techniques

If you can combine survival skills with having fun, what’s not to love?

Cuz deer is yummy, and huntin’ is fun, right?
Although teaching good habits and solid techniques with firearms and other survival skills is important, we have to know how to keep it in perspective, or you will make them sick of it and probably grow to hate it. I am not really a “sports guy”, but I understand it is important to give kids a sense of camaraderie and “team”. Being involved in sports is a good way for them to do that. Another thing about the sports stuff that is important is requiring that they keep it in perspective in regards to what’s really important in life.

When you’re 5, and one of your favorite movies is “Blackhawk Down”, and you’re going on a Halloween “Op”.
I always encourage my kids to find out why something is the way it is. Don’t take anything earthly on blind faith. Question what is the truth, and toss out things that don’t stand up to realistic scrutiny. Do they sometimes question things that I tell them? Sure, what kids don’t? Do I give them places to go to find the same truths I did? Most definitely. That’s my job. Another thing I have stressed is learning the history of where we’ve been as a nation specifically, and the world in general.

Teaching them our national history has a huge part in giving them direction. You can’t know where you are going if you don’t know where you’ve been, right?
If you give your kids a solid foundation that includes personal survival skills, understanding how the real world works, and to always be prepared for the worst outcome happening, while still hoping for the best. You will have given your children something upon which to build a lifestyle that exudes confidence, and is free of a lot of the fears the average person has about their future.
A Survivalist should be someone people look to in a time of trouble. They are people who can be decisive because they have the confidence that only being prepared gives them. They have prepared and thought through the possibilities and the probabilities of future bad situations, and they have a plan for the continuity of their lives during those situations. Don’t we owe our children that?

Back from a deployment…….AGAIN!
Don’t be a talker, be a DOER! Back up what you say with an example that endorses your words. These are just some thoughts I have based on how things have gone with my first two children. My Wife (WMD) and I actually have one on the way now, and what I’ve written about above will be the exact way our next child will be raised. This is the least that we owe the future generations.
JCD
"Parata Vivere"-Live Prepared.
Thanks for this post. I remember deploying to ‘Stan when my first child was only 2 years old. Now I’m out after 8 years in service and we’ve got some property to build our homestead. My first is now 7 years old and the other two are both 4. We’ve been doing camping trips in the yard and gardening, built a shooting range… Hopefully I can instill a prepper’s mindset in them. The collapse is coming fast, and I pray that if it doesn’t come fast enough for ME to fight the battle, that it doesn’t come at all, because I don’t want them fighting it. But I have to prepare them to.
Great story! I did the same with my two girls, the oldest is now 30 and am passing the same skills onto her 11 year old daughter (I’m surrounded by girls!!!) A very good book for kids (among others ) is called ’52 Prepper Projects for kids’ by Davis Nash. I gave it to my G’daughter and with 3 days she had several projects picked out to get started on. I think this summer she will inherit her mothers Chipmunk .22LR (same as the ‘Cricket’ east of the Mississippi. KSA now owns both companies).
A few other books for kids:
The Dangerous Book for Boys
The Daring Book for Girls
Boy Scout Fieldbook (older pre-1970 volume is best. used on Amazon)
The Hatchet series by Gary Paulsen
First-Aid for youths by Buck Tilton (there may better but this one is a start)
2 things about the story…
1) Very nice Mdl-1922 Springfield. Been looking for one for a few years
2) you need to remove the handle on the lawn mower and mount it under your mule. Now that would be a “Riding Mower!”…lol
Good stuff. I’m working on the grandkids now with the parents blessings and their teachings too.
I read this before but worth a second read, a good article.While I do not have kids meself have with folks I know having a tribe/clan what have you encourage these kinds of activities were all including the children are involved be it shooting/camping/just general outdoor life.I have found folks in this environment are more open to creating a clan and everyone feels they can do something to help out,the many hands on the board if necc.We do not get into politics ect. when the kids are around,let the parents deal with that as their kids get old enough and start talking about it.
I will say I learn as much as the kids,reminded of just enjoying moments in life and being open to new ideas/learning which at times seems hard for me and talking with the parents they agree.
It is also satisfying seeing someone whether kid or adult doing something they in the past they felt could not do and yet,they are now doing it!
Oh,and by the way,congrats on the new family member inbound!Best get back hardcore into your pt,one thing I do know about children,there is a lot of energy needed to keep up with em!
Thank you
Great article and pics. You should be proud of yourself and your kids.
Beautiful family.
Thanks Buddy
What an absolutely lovely article! I do not have kids at the moment, but I am going to refer back to this article when I do. This is parenting done right. God Bless you JC.
Thank you
Great piece JC. There is no more important role than a FATHER and ensuring the survival of the next generation!
Semper Fidelis, Semper Deinceps.
JC, great family. Thank you for sharing your children’s story with the group.
73 and Peace Brother!