20 Military Manuals Every Prepper Should Read

Every prepper knows that the one thing you can count on during a natural disaster or post-SHTF situation is panicked crowds which result in unpredictable chaos, violence, and injury.

There will be a myriad of events that could happen that you might not be ready to handle. If you’re putting together your bug out bag and building a library in your bug out location, these top 15 military manuals can be valuable resources.

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General Survival Skills

us-army 21-76 survival manual ecover

1. US Army Survival Manual 21-76

With 86% of reviewers giving this book 4 stars or more, this handy manual is a must have for any prepper stockpile. There are multiple versions available, newer version does not include the 1970’s chapters on evasion and escape.

It includes great wilderness survival information on ways to find water, build a shelter, signal for help, tips for surviving on the ocean, as well as how to identify, harvest, trap, cook, and preserve various types of food including insects, rodents, birds, and reptiles.

us army ranger handbook

2. Army Ranger Handbook: Revised and Updated Edition

The content of this handbook is a duplicate of what is issued to those in Ranger school. The text is larger and the book is not pocket sized. If you’re looking for techniques on survival, mountaineering, and first aid or tactics of ranger communication, leadership, and patrols, this will fit the bill.

Visual Signals FM 21-60

3. Visual Signals FM 21-60

Communication between troops is essential. It will also be the case when you and your loved ones are fighting for your life to survive. From arm and hand movements to flags and other visual aids, this manual will teach you how to communicate when cell phone towers will cease to function.

FM 34-81-1(1992)BATTLEFIELD WEATHER EFFECTS

4. FM 34-81-1(1992)BATTLEFIELD WEATHER EFFECTS

Preppers don’t hink much about the weather when prepping to bug out. Wind, snow, and rain can considerably hinder your survival efforts, possibly affecting your health through hypothermia)among other things).

This U. S. manual is all about the elements, how to predict the weather, and much more!

night combat manual

5. NIGHT COMBAT: Historical Study. Department of the Army Pamphlet No. 20-236

If you’re thinking about bugging out at night, or if you’re thinking about your security at night in a post-disastrous scenario, this Army pamphlet is for you. It will raise questions you haven’t thought of before.

6. TC 31-29 Special Forces Caching Techniques (Free)

Many preppers think about and have various types of caches to preserve their valuables. But what if you learned this skill from folks with military backgrounds – the Special Forces nonetheless?

Security and Dangerous Environments

CIVIL DISTURBANCE OPERATIONS

7. CIVIL DISTURBANCE OPERATIONS, FM 3-19.15

Riots, thugs or possibly even a revolution, there are few dangers in a SHTF scenario bigger than our fellow mankind. Learn about civil unrest from soldiers who’ve actually seen mass movements across the Globe, and know how to deal with it.

100 Deadly Skills

8. 100 Deadly Skills: The SEAL Operative’s Guide to Eluding Pursuers, Evading Capture and Surviving Any Dangerous Situation

Written by Clint Emerson, former Navy SEAL this guide is for anyone worried about personal threat situations. It includes real life special forces tactics, modified for civilians, with practical tips about travel safety, preventing car theft, and evading dangerous situations.

us army improvized munitions handbook

9. Army Improvised Munitions Handbook

A great guide for anyone wanting information on self-defense and defense of property and anyone interested in learning more about DIY explosives. Several chapters include information on how to make guns from wood or pvc.

modern day gunslinger

10. The Modern Day Gunslinger: The Ultimate Handgun Training Manual

Though not a certified military manual, this was written by former combat vet, Don Mann. The manual covers weapon and caliber options, gun safety, open versus concealed carry, as well as practice drills and proper stance. A great guide for beginners who need to learn about handguns for defense.

FM 21-150 Combatives

11. FM-21-150-Combatives

This is a handy manual if you are interested in learning and then practicing some basic self-defense and martial arts moves.z

12. Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain (MOUT) 1998

Information on tactics and procedures for military operations within urban areas and terrain. Covers offensive and defensive planning as well as combat support and logistics support.

Appendix includes info on skills such as weapons handling and firing, movement, entry and clearing techniques all of which will be helpful information for any prepper facing a security threat or hostile environment.

infantryman guide to combat

13. An Infantryman’s Guide to Combat in Built-Up Areas (FM 90-10-1)

The spread of population and development of densely populated urban areas has drastically altered the battlefield. This manual provides information on new tactics that should be used when fighting in areas where the enemy may be hiding in among civilians.

Marine Corps. Ground Combat Operations cover

14. U.S. Marine Corps. Ground Combat Operations

This manual is all about ground operations for the ground troops that are part of the Marines. It talks about their doctrine, the command and control chain, operational maneuvers from the sea, defensive operations and much, much more.

First Aid

first aid for soldiers

15. First-Aid for Soldiers U-S-Army

This appears to be a good basic first aid manual. It has some simple diagrams included that are easy to follow. Includes instructions on emergency first aid, how to treat airway blockage and breathing issues, bleeding, and shock.

Field Manual FM 4-25.11

16. FM 4-25.11

Another first aid training manual dedicated to the basic first aid procedures that may be need in combat-like conditions prior to the arrival of medical personnel and if trained medical personnel are not readily available.

Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Hazards

us army nbc decontamination

17. FM 3-5 NBC Decontamination

This manual pulls together the basics of nuclear, biological, and chemical decontamination procedures.

Field Manual FM 3-11.9

18. FM 3-11.9 MCRP 3-37.1B NTRP 3-11.32 AFTTP (I) 3-2.55 Potential Military Chemical/Biological Agents and Compounds January 2005

If you’re looking for detailed information on chemical/biological (CB) and toxic industrial chemicals (TIC), this manual classifies and discusses the chemical, physiological and physical characteristics of these compounds and agents.

medical nbc battelbox

19. Medical NBC Battlebook

This book provides information needed to locate hazardous radiological and nuclear sources, exposure avoidance procedures, and health risk information.

It includes data on radiation injury treatment as well. Good information for preppers who want to be informed on what to do in the event of a power plant explosion or other nuclear threat situation.

DIY

Design Forms For a Concrete Wall Cover

20. DESIGN FORMS FOR A CONCRETE WALL – Subcourse EN5151 (Free)

No matter what your level of survival experience, consider keeping a selection of these popular military manuals ready for you to review if needed during a crisis. For those with previous military or medical experience these manuals may serve as refresher material.

For those with no experience or only basic experience, having a detailed manual of information on hand could be the difference between life and death in a post-SHTF scenario.

military manuals Pinterest image

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