The call for attacks prompted the usual response from authorities urging us to “be careful” and “stay vigilant.” Ok...so,stay vigilant. What does that mean?

Anxiety over terrorism is pretty high right now. Each time we read headlines about an attack in Paris, Sydney, or New York, gun sales spike. People want to do something – anything – to make themselves feel safer.The fear is understandable. Fear lives and thrives in the unknown. And right now, there’s plenty of unknown to go around.

Sun Tzu, the venerated general and military tactician of ancient China, gives us sage advise as we struggle with how to do personal security. His words from the Art of War are as relevant for us today as they were when he penned them over 2,500 years ago.

“Know yourself and your enemy and you need not fear the outcome of a hundred battles.”

Terrorism has become a the war tactic of the 21st century. The threat is real and dangerous, but living in fear or denying the the problem is not the answer. If you know yourself and know your enemy, you can take steps to keep you and those you care about safe.

As we contemplate a threat dynamics, let's divide it into 2 categories: major and conventional attacks.

This is not an exhaustive list, but to get us started, we consider major terrorists attacks to be:
- 9/11 style attacks
- WMD attacks: chemical, bio-terrorism, dirty bomb, etc
- Attacks on infrastructure, utilities, water supply, etc

Conventional attacks include:
- Active shooter scenarios
- IED's
- Suicide bombs
- Knife attacks

Of course, the thing that separates the conventional style terror attacks with other criminal activity is the fact that terrorism is fueled by some political agenda.

In an earlier post, How To Prepare For the Next Major Terror Attack, we sketched out a basic plan for what to do in the event that a major attack. You can read it by clicking here Naturally, there's not much you can do if you get blown up in a building. But if you survive or are lucky enough to be outside the impact area, the steps we outlined can help you manage the stress and chaos that follows.

When it comes to conventional attacks, the military, law enforcement, and security professionals receive training for dealing with this threat. Why shouldn't you? After all, the majority of terrorists attacks are conducted against civilians targets. It makes sense that those most likely to be attacked should be prepared. It starts with awareness. Now is the time to start adding those self-protection skills and techniques you need to keep yourself safe to your toolbox, and Single Operative is a great place to start.

Photo courtesy of Duron290984

Got a story or tips to share with the rest of us? You know what to do.

As I mentioned in What is a Single Operative, Anyway?, a single operative is someone who through physical and mental conditioning, has developed the ability to successfully to operate in an unfamiliar or even hostile environment.

And when you talk about progressing towards your goals as a human being, isn’t that what we all need? The skills listed below are valuable to everyone in every walk of life, whether a business professional, teacher, iron worker, or just someone who wants to go on an adventure across the world. They're skills that can be developed to help people live a safe and full life.

Traveling the path of a Single Operative isn't easy. It takes commitment, discipline, and work. But if you integrate these skills and make them part of you, the results are highly rewarding. It will change the way you see the world and the way you live in it.

To start, we recommend you take a look at list below. Start slow. Pick 1 or 2 items off this list and work on it 15 minutes or so per day. Gradually add to it, and soon these skills will become part of you. It won't be a hobby or interest, it will be a way of life.

Tactical Science
- Firearms
- Edged & Impact Weapons
- Empty Hand Combatives
- Tactics & Strategy (Not just tactical training, think academic too: *Art of War, Book of Five Rings, Clausewitz, etc)

Physical Science
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Proper Diet
- Speed & Agility
- Stress Inoculation and Management Skills

Mind Science
- Foreign Language
- Behavioral Psychology
- Memory games
- Negotiation/Communication Skills
- Detecting Deception

Miscellaneous Skills
- Swimming
- Defensive Driving
- Navigation (Urban & Wilderness)
- First Aid

For all you SO's out there, what would you add to the list? Leave it in the comments below for the rest of us.

I'm very proud to be an American living in the greatest nation on earth, but not everyone's a fan. There are places in this world, friends, where it's best to keep your love of all things 'Murica on the down low. I made mention of some of these places in an earlier post, What Is a Single Operative and the issues that may arise when traveling to these places alone. If you find yourself there, a few skills in your back pocket can help alleviate the anxiety. You can read all about that here.

If you're heading to a country that doesn't exactly appreciate American greatness, then you need to develop the ability to blend into the surroundings as soon as possible. Believe me, I appreciate the value of blending in. I'm a blond hair, blue-eyed, 6'5" white dude with a booming voice. Blending doesn't come easy to me even in my own country. If you have challenges too, here are 3 strategies that all good single operatives follow. It will help you keep your profile low.

1. Don't Look Like an American: Nothing says I'm an American like a baseball cap, t-shirt and athletic shoes. You need to ditch these stat. Opt for dark or muted colors - preferably logo free. Yes, I know that can be a tall order. I live in the South where we wear our favorite camo hats to bed. Trust me, I get it. But, when I go across the "big pond," I lose the hat and anything associated with a my favorite football team's logo. Start out conservative. You can always adjust once you check out what the locals are wearing.

2. Don't Eat Like an American: It may surprise you, but we Americans have different table manners than the rest of the world. Clint Emerson, author of Escape the Wolf Risk Assessement: Personnel Security Handbook for the Traveling Professional, recounts the tragic tale of the Jedburgh operatives in WWII. The Jedburghs were a group of elite American and British operatives, who inserted into occupied France to conduct espionage and guerrilla operations. These operatives lived on the edge of the blade, posing as local frenchmen among the Nazi occupying forces. The Jedburghs looked the part, talked and walked the part, but oddly enough, it was their eating habits that gave them away.

Americans typically eat with the fork in the right hand, while leaving the knife on the table until needed. When cutting, we switch the fork to the left hand and cut with the knife in the right hand, switching back and forth as needed. Europeans, on the other hand, use both the knife and fork throughout the duration of their meal and never switch positions. This and other tell-tale signs are what sadly gave the Jedburgh's away. Many were captured and imprisoned. Others were shot on the spot. Emerson delves more deeply into the Jedburghs and the lessons they teach for those of us who travel abroad. I've used many of the tips in his book and highly recommend it.

1. Don't Sweat the English: Contrary to popular belief, the majority of foreigners won't know you're an America just because you speak english. Keep in mind, the dialects are not as pronounced for a non-native speaker. Unless that person has trained to spot the difference, they most likely won't know whether you're Canadian, English, Australian, or an American. Furthermore, if you get the mannerisms right, you might be able to pass yourself off some other foreign national who just happens to have a command of the English language. If have a little background in a another language, that's even better. I've passed myself off as a German national when I was in North Africa and the Middle East. It's very doable.
   

Got a unclassified travel story to share with us? Leave it below.