#342 Garand Thumb - SERE Specialist on Surviving the Most Dangerous Places on Earth

Path to Special Operations Through Career Transitions

Mike Jones began his military journey with the intention of becoming a doctor. After earning a biology degree, he commissioned in the Navy under the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) and attended medical school at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. About two years into his studies, Jones realized medicine was not his calling, becoming disillusioned with the repetitive nature of treating routine ailments and the lack of personal fulfillment. This was a challenging period, particularly for his family; his father wrote him a lengthy letter discouraging the decision to leave medical school, but ultimately Jones trusted his instincts.

Jones next pursued a career in Air Force pararescue but was disqualified after experiencing multiple shallow water blackouts. Fortunately, the Air Force permitted him to reclassify within the special warfare community, granting him the opportunity to become a SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) specialist. Jones trained hard, earned his SERE beret, and ultimately found fulfillment and pride in his new role.

Comprehensive Sere Specialist Training Across Extreme Environments

SERE specialist training is among the most demanding in the Air Force, spanning one to two years and including a foundational three-week SERE Specialist Selection (SSS) course. The initial phase centers on improvisation, food deprivation, and overwhelming task saturation to build mental resilience. Trainees must improvise solutions, such as sewing a bag from parachute material, all while enduring sleep deprivation and relentless physical challenges.

Arctic training occurs near Dead Horse, Alaska, in January, where temperatures plunge to -60 or even -80°F. This phase emphasizes constant movement to avoid hypothermia—trainees trudge slowly, construct igloos and snow caves, and are restricted from building fires to simulate evasion scenarios. Shelters are built from snow, while personal items, including water supplies, must remain close to the body to prevent freezing.

Hydration is a major challenge; the Arctic is the driest environment on Earth, requiring trainees to continually melt snow kept in small bags under their clothing for water, since any exposed liquid rapidly freezes. Even with Arctic gear, frostnip and frostbite are real dangers.

Desert survival training takes place in Vantage, Washington, where trainees experience 48 hours without water. The exercise reveals that severe, debilitating symptoms of dehydration can begin after just 24 hours—muscle cramps, inability to blink away sand, and overall physical decline. Trainees learn that improvising water sources is not only crucial, it is required for survival; for example, drinking urine directly is discouraged, but distillation methods using plastic sheeting and a collection cup are taught.

Jungle survival, conducted in places like Forks, Washington, is especially grueling due to constant dampness and relentless insects. Trainees must build shelters off the ground to avoid dangerous creatures and endure the discomfort of perpetual wetness and biting bugs. Food sources are limited to whatever can be foraged, including banana slugs, while the dense vegetation and risk of hidden drops require careful navigation and even carrying poles to test footing.

Coastal and temperate regions are far more forgiving. These environments offer abundant resources such as oysters, fish, crab, and small game like squirrels and hares. The geographic bounty helps explain the historical preference for these areas by human settlements.

Survival Techniques: Fire Starting, Water Purification, Game Processing

After SSS, candidates are tested on practical survival skills. ...

Modern warfare is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the dominance of drones, as seen most drastically on the front lines in Ukraine. Experts like Garand Thumb describe a paradigm shift that challenges established doctrines, blending advances in unmanned systems, electronic warfare, and countermeasures with a historical understanding of combat’s psychological and tactical foundations.

Transformative Role of Drones in Contemporary Combat Operations

Drones Achieve Over 90% of Ukraine Conflict Kills, Revolutionizing Warfare With Precision, Surveillance, and Remote Targeting

According to Garand Thumb, drones now account for well over 90% of kills in the Ukraine conflict. The precision with which drones operate has fundamentally shortened and accelerated the kill chain: operators can identify, track, and strike targets with accuracy previously achievable only by extremely costly precision-guided munitions. Unlike traditional airstrikes, drone operations are recorded and telecast in real time, dramatically altering how lethality and information are delivered on the battlefield.

FPV Drones With Explosives Hinder Troop Movement, Risking Targeting by Drone Operators

Every sector of the Ukrainian front is under constant, 24/7 surveillance by drone operators. Real-time drone feeds track grid-specific troop movements, instantly relaying this information to hunter-killer teams equipped with FPV drones bearing explosives. Even routine—and previously relatively safe—acts like moving to resupply, withdraw, or simply relieve oneself can lead to targeted attacks. Toe poppers and other munitions are dropped along known avenues of movement, making maneuver nearly impossible. FPV drones directly threaten any exposed unit, forcing constant vigilance and adaptation while also incentivizing the targeting of the drone operator crews themselves in order to disrupt the enemy’s kill chain.

Cheap Drones Invert Cost-Benefit Equation For Target Elimination Compared To Traditional Missiles

Where traditional precision-guided munitions like GPS-guided bombs or Hellfire missiles can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per use, FPV drones are available for as little as $200–$500; these can be fitted with RPG warheads, mortars, or even grenades. This extreme affordability removes almost all financial restraint from the act of targeting and killing enemy troops or striking vehicles, inverting decades of military cost-benefit equations for aerial lethality.

Strategic Implications of Drone Saturation in Contested Environments

Ukraine and Russia: 24/7 Drone Surveillance Tracks Troop Movements and Coordinates Intercepts

The saturation of the battlespace with drones leads to permanent observation. Ukrainian and Russian lines both employ continuous drone surveillance to track, intercept, and strike at even the smallest tactical movements. This means any detectable movement can quickly become a target for explosives or guided munitions delivered via drone.

Soldiers Face Targeting During Retreats, Extending Missions as Units Wait For Safe Movement

Because all rearward and lateral movements are under observation, withdrawals or resupply have become high-risk, sometimes requiring weeks of waiting for environmental factors like weather to shield units. What would once be a straightforward mission can devolve into a three-week ordeal, as units are forced to remain static to avoid immediate destruction.

Drone-Saturated Airspace Forces Militaries Into Static Positions and Armored Assaults

With movement so restricted, both sides have increasingly turned to armored vehicles and troop carriers, such as Bradleys, which offer some protection against drone attacks. Despite this, the intensity of drone surveillance and attack leads to units often remaining static, with the front line becoming effectively locked unless a significant technological breakthrough allows one side to overcome the other’s drone advantage.

Emerging Countermeasures and the Future of Electronic Warfare

Electronic Warfare Systems Counter Drone Dominance; Limited In Ukraine, Broader U.S. Adoption Expected In Future Conflicts

While the Ukrainian theater sees limited electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, Garand Thumb predicts a future where EW becomes the decisive tool against drone saturation. Systems like the U.S. EPRIS, a directed electronic warfare weapon, exemplify the potential for advanced EW platforms to suppress, disable, or misdirect drones. The possibility of widespread U.S. adoption of EW is likely to change drone usage patterns in future conflicts, increasing the emphasis on electronic contestation at the front.

Fiber-Optic Drones Resist Electronic Warfare but Trade Maneuverability and Speed For Control, Making Them Vulnerable to Rifle Fire and Slower to Targets

To circumvent EW, some forces use fiber-optic-controlled drones. However, these drones are slower and less maneuverable, making them easier targets for conventional firearms, such as rifles and shotguns. The trade-off for immunity to EW is a drone that i ...

Accidental Path to Youtube Success Through Gear Education

Garand Thumb, known for his expertise in firearms and tactical gear, describes his entry into YouTube as accidental. While serving in the military and preparing to transfer from SERE to TacP, he was recognized as a gear enthusiast. After being issued a JPC plate carrier for a jump program, he found himself helping fellow service members set up their gear. Realizing that what was common knowledge within military circles was not well understood by civilians, he decided to make a video on how to set up a plate carrier. Unexpectedly, this video garnered a million views, launching his YouTube journey and revealing a substantial civilian-military knowledge gap in tactical gear.

Following this, Jones began producing gun reviews, which rapidly gained traction. Early on, ammunition sponsorships gave him access to unlimited firearms for testing, allowing him to film with a variety and volume of ammunition most could only dream of. This access propelled Garand Thumb into becoming one of YouTube’s leading channels for military and firearms content, combining hands-on knowledge with high production value.

Comprehensive Firearms Testing and Experimental Weapons Systems

Jones's channel is defined by the breadth and depth of his firearms experience. He has handled and reviewed over 500 firearms, maintaining each with diligence—every gun in his collection is equipped with appropriate optics, lights, lasers, and is properly zeroed for accurate assessments. This meticulous approach ensures comprehensive and reliable reviews, whether for standard-issue rifles or rare collector’s pieces.

His strong military connections further provide him access to test experimental weapons systems, including those rarely available to civilians. An example is the Russian AN-94, an innovative but impractically complex rifle with a two-shot hyperburst system enabled by a sophisticated pulley mechanism. Jones shares insights on how these designs, like the AN-94's offset magazine or Australia’s modified Steyr AUG (EF90), reflect the unique environmental, military, and industrial conditions of their countries of origin.

Jones often ties firearm design philosophy to broader cultural elements: Swiss SIG 550 rifles feature sealed actions and rubber gaskets ideal for their harsh climate, while France’s FAMAS, with its unusual ejection and magazine system, highlights distinct national approaches before many countries converged on AR-15 style platforms. Jones’s ability to review not only the widely adopted but also the experimental—like NGSW program entries and polymer-case ammunition from True Velocity—allows followers unique insights into military priorities and technological evolution worldwide.

Consistent Weekly Content Production and Evolution

Since 2018, Jones Has Posted Weekly Videos on Firearms Reviews, Ballistic Testing, Survival Techniques, and Mi ...

Preparedness experts stress that the fundamentals of survival revolve around universal needs—water, food, security, skills, and robust community ties. Their detailed observations and firsthand experience offer a grounded guide to readiness in scenarios ranging from temporary disruption to total collapse.

Water as the Foundation of Survival and Preparedness

Water Is Crucial in Collapse Scenarios: Survival Beyond Three Days Is Unlikely Without It; Prioritize Procurement and Storage in Preparedness Plans

Every veteran prepper insists: before all else, secure water. Without it, survival past three days is unlikely. In any collapse scenario, prioritizing the procurement and storage of water is critical.

Water Storage: Large Drums (50+ Gal), Minimal Bleach; Include Rain Catchment, Water Table Knowledge

Large drums—often 50 gallons or more—offer simple long-term water storage. They can be plastic or metal, and should be cleaned and used with a minimal amount of bleach to prevent bacterial growth. Storing several such drums creates a crucial buffer between the loss of piped water and the implementation of rain catchment or other sourcing systems. Rain collection setups should be ready, and property owners should know how deep to dig to reach their local water table. Properties with springs or creeks are especially valuable, not just for personal use but for livestock as well.

Purification: From Gravity Filters (Effective for 100,000+ Gallons) to Makeshift Systems With Layered Sand, Rocks, and Charcoal, Provide Redundancy. Coastal Property Owners Can Access Freshwater Aquifers By Digging 800 Yards Inland to Depths of About Five Feet

Purification methods must be redundant. Simple gravity-fed water filters can process 100,000 gallons or more and are easy to clean and reuse. For those without access to commercial filters, makeshift systems using layered sand, rocks, and charcoal are effective. Preppers highlight that property selection should take regional features into account: on many coasts, digging inland about 800 yards and down five feet can yield fresh water, naturally filtered through soil and sand.

Food Security Through Diverse Storage and Production Methods

Mormon Preparedness Culture Stresses two Years of Food Storage With Dried Goods, Powdered Vegetables, and Supplements to Prevent Scurvy and Nutritional Deficiencies During Supply Disruptions

Mormon preparedness culture is a national benchmark, advising members to store two years’ worth of durable food. This often includes dried staples, powdered vegetables for micronutrients, and supplement mixes to avoid conditions like scurvy. Rotating stock and practicing with stored foods prevents waste and maintains readiness.

Seed Storage Key to Long-Term Food Security, Requires Planning and Knowledge

Prepared families keep robust supplies of seeds—often for multiple growing seasons. This seed bank, combined with gardening knowledge and tools, means food production can be self-sustained over the long term.

Community Gardens and Shared Agriculture Reduce Dependency, Build Social Bonds, and Enhance Survival During Crises

Shared agriculture helps communities weather crises. Community gardens both reduce dependence on outside supply chains and reinforce local social bonds, allowing skills and resources to be pooled for greater resilience.

Defensive Considerations and Property Selection

Securing Property Against Desperate Populations Requires Military-Style Vigilance With Four-Hour Watch Rotations, Recognizing That Desperation Drives Violence and Theft

Experts warn that collapse will drive desperate, unprepared people toward anyone they perceive as well-supplied. Property must be secured with the expectation of theft and violence, potentially necessitating military-style watch rotations—four hours on, four off—to protect stores, access points, and livestock, especially during the chaotic initial weeks.

Ideal Property Selection Favors Remote Land With Water Sources, Near Public Lands, With Natural Barriers and No Nearby Structures For Miles

Choosing land for prepping requires prioritizing remoteness and water access. Ideal properties are far from population centers, with clear water rights, springs, or creeks; they should be surrounded by natural barriers ...

Religious Journey From Mormonism to Independent Christianity

Garand Thumb describes a childhood shaped by the Mormon faith, crediting his parents—both converts—for a rigorous and comprehensive biblical education rooted in not only the Book of Mormon but also extensive study of the King James Bible. He recalls how the Mormon church emphasized deep understanding of both the Old and New Testaments, including more challenging books such as Psalms, fostering an early appreciation for biblical history and translation complexities. At 18, in line with his parents’ wishes, he attended the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, preparing for a mission. However, at 19, while immersed at the training center, he developed significant doctrinal and historical concerns about Mormonism. He recognized that his core conviction was faith in Christ rather than denominational affiliation. This realization led him to return home and, after briefly continuing Mormon practices, he embraced an independent Christian identity.

Thumb emphasizes that his parents valued his Christian character and commitment to Jesus above specific denominational ties. While his father initially worried that leaving the Mormon Church might signal a loss of faith, Thumb reassured him of his enduring belief in Christ and the Bible. Over time, this assurance and demonstrable practice of Christian virtues eased his parents’ concerns, and they now value his character and continued faith.

"Will to Survive" As Psychological Foundation For Survival

Reflecting on survival scenarios and Psychological Operations (SERE) research, Thumb asserts that the "will to survive" is the principal factor determining who overcomes identical life-threatening situations. Despite similar skills or circumstances, individual psychological anchors—faith, family, and patriotism—are what consistently sustain people in extreme adversity. He explains that for many, the driving force to endure hardship is centered around family (the need to return home, to be present for children), faith in Christ (constant prayer, Bible recitation), or love of country (the desire to honor one’s homeland and mission). These anchors help people maintain psychological integrity through faith, family ties, and intellectual engagement. Thumb teaches survival students to identify and hold onto their personal motivations, as these will sustain them through the worst ordeals.

He draws on historical examples of extraordinary endurance—such as survivors clinging to thoughts of family or faith, and pilots in Vietnam undertaking unimaginable feats to return home—to illustrate the sheer power of the human will. This "X factor" can push individuals beyond what seems physically possible.

Community Responsibility and National Resilience

Thumb stresses that true preparedness must be rooted in community engagement. He advocates for neighborhood-level initiatives such as shared gardens, mutual aid systems, and collective readiness efforts, especially with regard to supporting elderly community members whose knowledge is crucial for rebuilding after disaster. The American tradition, he notes, is founded on the principle of the citizen-soldier: ordinary people prepared to defend their families and country as a civic duty, not out of paranoia b ...