The Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia
OPERATION SNOW DOG 2006
You tell me I’m low ’cause
I’ve slept on the floor
And out in the woods with the badgers & wolves
You threw me out ’cause I went digging for gold
And I came home with a handful of coal
-Temple of The Dog "Call me a Dog"
10-12 Feb, 2006
Weather: Fri: Hi 29, Low 18 cloudy, Sat: Hi 29, Low 10 light snow, Sun: Hi 29 Low 5 mostly sunny
Qualified L1:
"Blackjack" Oakland County M1A 10/10 2nd try
"Super Six" Wayne County H&K .308 9/9 1st try
Coordinator: Weapon M Witnesses: Pioneer Cadre, Corporal Punishment, staff
RSO: Corporal Punishment, Super Six, Bishop, staff
Medic: Doc, Militiamedic, Burnt Cabbage, Duke
Squad Leaders: Wagon Wheel, Bishop
Team Leaders: Jester, Tin Man, Mak9, Razor67
Support: Thumper, Chuckwagon
Present were 32 Patriots, representing 3 states and 2 countries.
Medical report: No cold weather injuries were reported, though one Patriot did withdraw from training to avoid a possible cold-weather incident. One member experienced a slight knee twist, but was okay. Several members went for extended periods without gloves, and hands became dried and cracked, and in at least one case, began to bleed. This only required self care on behalf of the member. Post-training, there were some reported sniffles, and at least one case of pneumonia.
Camp Stasa, Michigan
What had started a few years ago as an idea to simply test out some winter gear, and our ability to utilize it, has now become a "whooo-haaaa!" event involving participants from three states and two countries. Indeed, the winter "Snow Dog" training has become one of the high points in the training year.
After much preparation and anticipation, Militiamedic (recovering from a nasty stomach flu) and I rolled into Camp Stasa on Friday evening, loaded up the sleds, and slid on back to the camp area. The snow was nothing like the great snowstorm of '04, but it was enough to use the sleds effectively. The Medic had not used a sled in this fashion before, and initially had some issues with things falling off. I wore most of my gear, and used the sled to pull a coat, an ammo can, and a rifle case.
To our surprise and happiness, there were quite a few folks already on hand, with shelters already set up. A handful manned the big tent, and one small tent and a couple of field-expedient shelters dotted the camping area (these are what I like to see...).
Mad Hatter's Tent. Hunter's Shelter.
StandOnGuard's Poncho Shelter. Lee's bag is on the left.
StandOnGuard rigged a simple poncho shelter to provide overhead cover (it did snow a bit Friday night), and had very good quality sleeping gear. Hunter hooked up the really good shelter, complete with self-inflating sleeping pad, and camouflage cloth over the top. Mad Hatter had the neat digital camo tent, and he even experimented with an electric blanket which was powered by his mobile power source. This seemed to work well.
The Medic and I just tossed our sleeping pads on the ground, rolled out our bags, and crashed. In some of the pictures, you can see that we used a tarp to protect our gear, while sleeping in the open ourselves. There is nothing that can compare to being awakened by snow falling on your face. Nothing. Super Six and Jester rolled in and did a similar "crash in place" maneuver. Six had doubled up a pair of sleeping bags, with a German bag inside of a US one. He gave this a very positive review. This further supports the position that layering is the best approach to keeping warm and dry.
Chuckwagon, in effect, provided most of the night's security. As morning closed in, people started to arrive. We got up and watched the light and discussed BMNT, stand-to, and how the coming daylight would affect our eyesight, and any night vision devices. It was encouraging to see everyone awake at this early hour. While we didn't do an actual stand-to, we gained (or shared) some insight into what it entails and why it is done.
It was learned that a guest from out of state had experienced a cold-weather related situation, and had left training at about 0130AM. If you ever get soaked in such a cold environment, this is an emergency. Sometimes getting in your vehicle and heading back home is the only option. It would be a good idea to keep extra clothes and gear in your vehicle, if not your rucksack, just in case something like this happens.
People geared up for the two-mile walk for qualifying, led up by Super Six. Meanwhile (it's good to have such a nice turnout that we can use the word: "meanwhile"), Chuckwagon started the whole heating-up-water-for-breakfast program. Quite a few people brought their own little stoves, whether propane or dual-fuel. These seemed to work. Not a lot of water froze up overnight Friday night, so thawing was not an issue.
The walk. Note various camo. Breakfast in the snow.
"Blackjack", a proud Air Force veteran, led the time with a 30 minute finish, way ahead of a bunch of "young guys". As before, folks started the walk with lots of cold weather gear on, which got too hot rather quickly. Plan on some way to strip some of your gear, like your field jacket, off while moving. Even if you just take it off and stuff it under one of your suspender straps or something, this could help prevent you from overheating, sweating too much, and then experiencing the fun fun joys of hypothermia.
Thumper set this shelter up on Saturday. It provided effective cover from the elements, but was difficult to sit up inside. The ability to make a simple shelter in cold weather could prove key to your survival in certain situations.
Please note that your presence at Camp Stasa constitutes an automatic waiver of liability. By being there, just by being there, you agree that you can not, and will not hold Frank Stasa, Stasa Farms, or anyone else liable for injury, harm, or sadness that may befall you while at the camp, range or anywhere on the property. Them's the rules. If you disagree with this automatic waiver of liability, please indicate this by not showing up.
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