Field Kit

Field Kit organization follows the "Circle of Accessibility" framework for optimized gear distribution based on usage patterns, time criticality, and operational constraints.

This system evolved from practical motorcycle-based field work where every item must justify its weight and space while maintaining multiple capability clusters.

The Second Skin Philosophy

Gear as modular system, not collection of objects.

The endgame of gear optimization isn't having more options - it's having fewer decisions. Buy once, understand deeply, forget about shopping.

The Layering System

Alpha Direct as foundation - the second skin:

• Breathable enough to wear all day without turning into a sauna
• Not quite wind-resistant enough to stand alone in breeze
• Manages vapor so efficiently that even under insulated shell, no overheating
• The key insight: whatever it does helps outer layers work better

Cerium (or equivalent packable down) as shell:

• When moving - leave unzipped, use like windbreaker
• Small and light, but versatile as wind protection and insulation
• The first main jacket in decades without a hood - trusting the system

Edge tuning with accessories:

• Beanie + neck gaiter regulate heat better than hood
• Can tune microclimate on the fly
• Hot, dry, cold, wet, urban, forest - same core pieces, rearranged

The Philosophy of Enough

Don't fetishize gear. Use it hard, replace it when it fails, upgrade only when usage pattern justifies it.

The wear pattern is data:

• If you burned through it, upgrade
• If it's still kicking after years, the next one doesn't need to be precious

Semi-disposable tier: boots, pants, jackets whose zippers blow out. Buy the best you can afford, use until they die, iterate.

Lifetime tier: certain items you buy once and forget about. Camera bodies, core shells, key tools. These earn the premium.

The process is Darwinian: start from lived experience, ask what you wished you had, get that thing, test it, see if it earns a place. Some items become core to the system. You slowly fall in love with them.

Result: Feel more capable, versatile, adaptive, prepared. Gear light enough to not weigh down the pack but modular enough to handle almost any situation.

The Test

• Motorcycle test: Would I carry this 200 miles?
• Dual-use test: Does it serve 2+ purposes?
• Daily-use test: Used in last week?

If unused for 3 days on a trip, leave it home next time.

Core Philosophy

Weight and Access Optimization

Equipment should be stored at the furthest accessible tier that doesn't compromise its utility. Each tier move inward approximately doubles the importance of weight and space efficiency.

Multi-Use Prioritization

Items that serve multiple functions across different scenarios receive higher placement priority, maximizing capability per unit weight.

Operational Resilience

The system assumes degraded conditions: limited mobility, reduced cognitive capacity during stress, and potential equipment loss or damage.

Tier Classification System

Scoring Framework

Each item receives a composite score based on four factors:

Time Criticality (T): 1-5 scale

• 5: Immediate need (< 5 minutes)
• 4: Very soon (< 1 hour)
• 3: Same day (< 24 hours)
• 2: This week (< 7 days)
• 1: Eventually (> 7 days)

Consequence Severity (C): 1-5 scale

• 5: Life-threatening if absent
• 4: Major health/safety impact
• 3: Significant discomfort/limitation
• 2: Notable inconvenience
• 1: Minor inconvenience

Weight/Space Penalty (W): 1-5 scale

• 5: Negligible
• 4: Light/Small
• 3: Moderate
• 2: Heavy/Bulky
• 1: Very Heavy/Bulky

Multi-Use Factor (M): 1-5 scale

• 5: Critical in 3+ scenarios
• 4: Important in 2+ scenarios
• 3: Critical in 1 scenario
• 2: Useful in multiple scenarios
• 1: Single specific use

Total Score = (T × 2) + (C × 2) + (W × 1.5) + (M × 1)

Tier Assignments

Tier 1: On-Person Kit (35-47.5 points)

The No-Question Layer - Must be immediately accessible and carried daily.

Core Survival:

• Fire starter (lighter + ferrorod)
• Emergency shelter (space blanket or ultralight shell)
• Water purification (tablets or filter straw)
• First aid basics (pressure dressing, medication)
• Communication device (phone, radio, or whistle)

Navigation and Documentation:

• Essential maps/coordinates
• Emergency contact information
• Cash and identification
• Writing implement

Multi-Tools:

• Primary cutting tool
• Cordage (10ft paracord)
• Flat tape (3ft rolled)
• Emergency patches

Tier 2: Vehicle/Pack Kit (25-34.5 points)

The Day-to-Week Layer - Accessible within 24 hours for extended operations.

Expanded Survival:

• Sleep system (20L dry bag capacity)
• Extended first aid kit
• Backup fire starting methods
• Area lighting and backup batteries
• Extended water storage and filtration

Professional Tools:

• Camera equipment and documentation tools
• Technical repair kit
• Extended communication gear
• Weather protection layers

Comfort and Logistics:

• Cooking system and utensils
• Personal hygiene supplies
• Clothing layers and spare socks/underwear
• Tool kit and repair materials

Tier 3: Base Cache (< 25 points)

The Extended Operation Layer - Accessible within 60 days for maintenance and resupply.

Bulk Supplies:

• Large quantities of consumables
• Seasonal gear and specialized clothing
• Full repair shop setup
• Document archive and reference materials
• Bulk food and water storage

Container System

Primary Containers

• 5.11 Rush 24 (128oz base): Main urban/wilderness capacity
• WLF Enduro Pack (70.5oz base): Motorcycle-specific kit
• Timbuk2 Waist Pack (70.5oz loaded): Active access layer
• Dry bags: Modular organization by capability cluster

Capability Clusters

Documentation System [~20oz total]

• Camera and lens
• Audio recording device
• Watercolor/sketch materials
• Field notebook and writing tools

Survival Core [~50oz total]

• Sleep system with weather protection
• Water procurement and treatment
• Fire starting and maintenance
• Emergency food and medication

Technical Support [~55oz total]

• Vehicle maintenance tools
• Power systems and charging
• Communication devices and backup methods
• Electronic repair and backup storage

Distribution Rules

Critical Redundancy

Backup versions of Tier 1 items should be stored in Tier 2. Essential capabilities must survive single-point failures.

Bulk Supply Tapering

Consumables distributed across tiers with quantities decreasing toward inner tiers:

• T1: 24-hour supply
• T2: 7-day supply
• T3: 30+ day backup

Seasonal Modifiers

Items may shift one tier inward during their primary season (winter insulation, summer cooling, etc.).

Weight Distribution Targets

• Tier 1: < 15% of body weight
• Tier 2: < 25% of body weight
• Tier 3: No specific limit

Maintenance Protocol

Quarterly Reviews

• Re-score items based on actual usage patterns
• Adjust tier placement for seasonal changes
• Verify expiration dates and condition of consumables
• Update emergency contact information and documentation

Post-Incident Updates

• Document what worked and what was missing
• Adjust scoring based on real-world performance
• Modify container organization based on access patterns
• Update procedures and checklists

Integration with Emergency Procedures

Field kit organization directly supports emergency runbooks:

• Vehicle Failure Runbook: Tools and spare parts in Tier 2, emergency communication in Tier 1
• Digital Security Incident Runbook: Backup devices and authentication in Tier 2, emergency contacts in Tier 1
• Solo Medical Emergency Runbook: First aid distributed across all tiers, emergency medication in Tier 1

The kit serves as the physical foundation that enables runbook procedures to be executed effectively under field conditions.

Personal Combat Kit

Operational loadout written with "Delta-cool / operator-gram / foggy pirate patch" energy. This is not cosplay — it’s functional war-paint.

Plate Carrier / Armor

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
Crye Precision JPC 2.0	Plate Carrier	~1 lb	$280	AVAILABLE	Link	Ultralight, laser-cut, zero-drag

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
RMA 1155 Level IV Multi-Curve Plates	Armor Plates	8 lbs each	$220 x2	AVAILABLE	Link	NIJ certified, multi-curve comfort

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
Team Wendy EXFIL Ballistic Helmet	Helmet	3 lbs	$1500	AVAILABLE	Link	NVG ready, mission-spec protection

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
Crye G3.5 Combat Pant	Apparel	--	$500	AVAILABLE	Link	Engineered second skin, reinforced knees

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
Crye G3.5 Combat Shirt	Apparel	--	$200	AVAILABLE	Link	Moisture-wicking, stretch panels

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
Esstac Triple 5.56 Tall KYWI	Magazine Pouch	--	$70	AVAILABLE	Link	Friction-locked, ultra-fast reloads

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
Crye Modular Ballistic Collar	Neck Protection	--	$340	AVAILABLE	Link	Extended coverage, modular integration

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
WTF Slick Zip-On Panel (for JPC 2.0)	Back Panel	--	$70	AVAILABLE	Link	Streamlined storage, modular rear panel

---

Rifle / AR-15 Components

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
BCM MCMR-15 Free-Float M-LOK Handguard	Handguard	--	$230	AVAILABLE	Link	Aerospace-grade, lightweight, zero-flex

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
Streamlight TLR-7X USB	Weapon Light	2.4 oz	$160	AVAILABLE	Link	500 lumens, USB rechargeable, ambi paddles

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount 2	Weapon Light (Alt)	5 oz	$130	AVAILABLE	Link	625 lumens, remote pressure switch included

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
RailScales G10 Covers	Rail Covers	--	$50	AVAILABLE	Link	Textured grip, heat mitigation

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
Magpul XTM Covers	Rail Covers	--	$20	AVAILABLE	Link	Affordable, modular rail grip

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
RailScales Karve Handstop	Handstop	--	$85	AVAILABLE	Link	Minimal forward grip, aggressive texture

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
Strike Industries LINK Anchor	Handstop (Alt)	--	$40	AVAILABLE	Link	Compact, ergonomic, hybrid M-LOK/KeyMod

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
Dirty Bird M-LOK QD Sling Mount	Sling Attachment	--	$25	AVAILABLE	Link	Quick-detach, low-profile

Name	Type	Weight	Price	Status	Link	Notes
Magpul M-LOK Bipod Mount	Bipod Adapter	--	$20	AVAILABLE	Link	Optional precision support mount