Most people train to fight as individuals, but few ever learn how to fight as a team. That’s where small unit tactics come in. But are these tactics only for soldiers on the battlefield, or can they also be used to give law enforcement officers and armed citizens an edge in the real world? That’s what this episode is about.

In this transmission, we cover:

• What small unit tactics actually are and how they developed 
• The roles and responsibilities inside a conventional rifle squad
• Why understanding these principles is essential for law enforcement officers and civilians

So pull up a chair and sit a spell as we talk about Small Unit Tactics.  It's all inside this episode of the Pearl Snap Tactical Podcast!

Resources:

• The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad, FM 3-21-8
• Small Unit Tactics, Max Alexander
• Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad, FM 7-8

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The views and opinions expressed by the guests do not necessarily reflect those of the host, this podcast or affiliates. The information provided in these shows are for educational purposes do not constitute legal advice. Those interest in training in the use of firearms or other self-defense applications are advised to seek out a professional, qualified instructor.

(Some of the links in the episode show notes are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or services we have personally used and believe will add value to our listeners.)

What does it mean to be unbreakable? In this episode, we explore the heroic mindset found in myth, philosophy, and warrior tradition. Drawing from a particular story from the Viking Age, we’ll uncover how ancient lessons can guide us in building resilience, honor, and strength in a modern world that seeks to weaken men. This is about more than survival, it’s about becoming unbreakable.

This is a deeper riff off the previous episode I did with John Michael Greer on operationalizing myth.  You can listen to that one first if you need some more background on the topic, or not.  This episode can stand on its own.

Enjoy!

Resources:

The Poetic Edda, Lee Hollander 

The Seeds of Yggrasill, Maria Kvilhaug

The Power of Myth, Joseph Campbell

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The views and opinions expressed by the guests do not necessarily reflect those of the host, this podcast or affiliates. The information provided in these shows are for educational purposes do not constitute legal advice. Those interest in training in the use of firearms or other self-defense applications are advised to seek out a professional, qualified instructor.

(Some of the links in the episode show notes are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or services we have personally used and believe will add value to our listeners.)

John Michael Greer Returns!!!

What if myth isn’t just a story, but a weapon, a compass, and a shield?

In this episode, I’m joined once again by author and researcher, John Michael Greer, to explore how myth can be operationalized.

For those of us living at the sharp end of history: warriors, law enforcement officers, and security-minded citizens, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss!

Join John and I as we discuss:

•  what myths are (and what they’re not),
• how myths shapes the lives of warrior cultures in antiquity and how they continue to impact us today,
• how myths can be a powerful tool to develop strength and resiliency 
• the dangers that result when myths are weaponized against you
• and much more!

This is not an academic discussion. It’s a roadmap for those who still believe in duty, honor, sacrifice, and the deep story beneath it all.

In the end, you’ll learn that myth is not just a story to be read, it’s function that’s meant to be lived.

Don’t miss it! 

Resources:

John Michael Greer's Blog

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Get Members Only Content when you upgrade to a premium membership on our Substack page. Click here.

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Website: Pearl Snap Tactical

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The views and opinions expressed by the guests do not necessarily reflect those of the host, this podcast or affiliates. The information provided in these shows are for educational purposes do not constitute legal advice. Those interest in training in the use of firearms or other self-defense applications are advised to seek out a professional, qualified instructor.

(Some of the links in the episode show notes are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or services we have personally used and believe will add value to our listeners.)

Today we’re diving into one of the more heated debates in the firearms and training community — Should civilians be training in CQB? Close Quarters Battle. Is it a useful skill, a fantasy-driven distraction, or something in between? If you’ve spent time in the training world, you’ve probably heard both extremes: "Civilians have no business learning room clearing" — or — "CQB is essential to defending your home and loved ones." So which is it?

I’ll lay out both sides of the argument, share my own view, and maybe challenge a few assumptions along the way. Whether you’re military, law enforcement, or a civilian shooter, there’s something in here for you. 

Support the show

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Link up with us:

Website: Pearl Snap Tactical

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The views and opinions expressed by the guests do not necessarily reflect those of the host, this podcast or affiliates. The information provided in these shows are for educational purposes do not constitute legal advice. Those interest in training in the use of firearms or other self-defense applications are advised to seek out a professional, qualified instructor.

(Some of the links in the episode show notes are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or services we have personally used and believe will add value to our listeners.)

In this episode, we dive into why tactical thinking isn’t just for the military or law enforcement—it’s essential for civilians too. Using the real-world example of Gary Edwards, a citizen who stepped in to stop not one but two attempted carjackings in suburban Georgia, we explore how awareness, quick decision-making, and the right mindset can change the outcome of violent encounters. 

We also unpack the importance of learning tactics—not to play soldier, but to become harder to victimize. Superior tactics have always allowed smaller, less-equipped groups to overcome stronger opponents, and the same principles apply to everyday people facing real threats. Whether you carry a firearm or not, this episode is a wake-up call to sharpen your skills, train your mind, and stop relying on luck when danger comes calling.

Resources:

• FM 3-21.8: The Infantry Platoon and Squad

Support the show

Get Members Only Content when you upgrade to a premium membership on our Substack page. Click here.

Link up with us:

Website: Pearl Snap Tactical

Instagram: Pearl Snap Tactical

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The views and opinions expressed by the guests do not necessarily reflect those of the host, this podcast or affiliates. The information provided in these shows are for educational purposes do not constitute legal advice. Those interest in training in the use of firearms or other self-defense applications are advised to seek out a professional, qualified instructor.

(Some of the links in the episode show notes are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or services we have personally used and believe will add value to our listeners.)

What happens when the guerrilla war comes home — not to the countryside, but to the city?

In this follow-up to our earlier episode, Insurgency 101, we apply insurgency theory to the 2020 urban unrest in America, examining the ways groups like Antifa and BLM-adjacent actors deployed guerrilla-adjacent tactics during riots and protests.

We cover:

• The anatomy of the modern urban guerrilla
• Why the 2020 riots weren’t spontaneous chaos, but structured disruption
• The role of perception warfare: “mostly peaceful” as strategic cover
• The dangers of overreaction vs. paralysis in state response
• How these movements exploit decentralized networks and media influence
• What law enforcement, protectors, and aware citizens need to understand next

You don’t need a jungle to wage a guerrilla war. The new insurgents operate in crowds, on social media, and behind ideological movements. Recognizing the playbook is step one.

So pull up a chair and sit a spell as we dive into American Insurgency: the Guerrilla's Playbook.

Resources:

Referenced Works:

• Robert Taber — War of the Flea
• FM 3-24 — Counterinsurgency
• Reports and footage from the 2020 urban riots and current events in Los Angeles

Support the show

Get Members Only Content when you upgrade to a premium membership on our Substack page. Click here.

Link up with us:

Website: Pearl Snap Tactical

Instagram: Pearl Snap Tactical

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The views and opinions expressed by the guests do not necessarily reflect those of the host, this podcast or affiliates. The information provided in these shows are for educational purposes do not constitute legal advice. Those interest in training in the use of firearms or other self-defense applications are advised to seek out a professional, qualified instructor.

(Some of the links in the episode show notes are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or services we have personally used and believe will add value to our listeners.)

Today, we’re talking all about terrain—one of the most underrated and underutilized assets, especially when it comes to civilian training.

Whether you’re military, law enforcement, private security, or a serious civilian protector, understanding how to use the environment to your advantage is a critical edge. It’s the force multiplier that’s always around you—so you’d better make use of it.

The fact of matter is that the environment is a weapon that is always at your disposal.  Learn to use it or someone else will.

So, pull up a chair and sit a spell as we discuss information and tips for how you can use the environment to your advantage.  

Support the show

Get Members Only Content when you upgrade to a premium membership on our Substack page. Click here.

Link up with us:

Website: Pearl Snap Tactical

Instagram: Pearl Snap Tactical

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The views and opinions expressed by the guests do not necessarily reflect those of the host, this podcast or affiliates. The information provided in these shows are for educational purposes do not constitute legal advice. Those interest in training in the use of firearms or other self-defense applications are advised to seek out a professional, qualified instructor.

(Some of the links in the episode show notes are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or services we have personally used and believe will add value to our listeners.)

Hop in the truck, gents!  We're going on a journey - the Hero's Journey.

In this episode, we break down Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey and explore how this mythic roadmap still shapes the challenges we face today — from fear and failure to growth and mastery. Using legendary figures from myth and legend, we connect each stage of the journey to real-world lessons for military, law enforcement, and anyone walking a hard road with purpose.

Join us as we capture:

 -  Practical applications for resilience, mindset, and leadership
 -  Mythic insights from Norse and Greek heroes
  - Why the Hero’s Journey still matters in a collapsing culture

Believe me, if you're on the Warrior's Path, you don't want to miss this one!

So pull up a chair and sit a spell as we embark upon the Hero's Journey together!

Resources:

The Hero With A Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell

Beowulf, Tom Shippey translation

The Odyssey, Homer (Robert Fagles translation)

Support the show

Get Members Only Content when you upgrade to a premium membership on our Substack page. Click here.

Link up with us:

Website: Pearl Snap Tactical

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The views and opinions expressed by the guests do not necessarily reflect those of the host, this podcast or affiliates. The information provided in these shows are for educational purposes do not constitute legal advice. Those interest in training in the use of firearms or other self-defense applications are advised to seek out a professional, qualified instructor.

(Some of the links in the episode show notes are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or services we have personally used and believe will add value to our listeners.)

Today, we’re taking a deep dive into three of the most powerful forces that shaped the ancient Indo-European world — fate, honor, and the heroic life. From the sagas of the North to the epics of Greece, these weren’t just lofty ideals — they were lived truths. 

In this episode, we’ll explore: 

• what fate meant to our warrior ancestors
• how honor was earned and defended, and 
• why the heroic life still calls out to us in a world that’s tried to forget it. 

If you’ve ever felt out of step with the soft, risk-averse modern age, this conversation is for you.

So pull up a chair and sit a spell as we discuss what it means to live a heroic life in the modern age.

Support the show

Get Members Only Content when you upgrade to a premium membership on our Substack page. Click here.

Link up with us:

Website: Pearl Snap Tactical

Instagram: Pearl Snap Tactical

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The views and opinions expressed by the guests do not necessarily reflect those of the host, this podcast or affiliates. The information provided in these shows are for educational purposes do not constitute legal advice. Those interest in training in the use of firearms or other self-defense applications are advised to seek out a professional, qualified instructor.

(Some of the links in the episode show notes are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or services we have personally used and believe will add value to our listeners.)

In this transmission, we take a critical look at some of the most overused clichés in the tactical training world. It’s not that these are wrong, per se, but they’ve been repeated so often that they’ve become diluted, misused, and in some cases, actively harmful to your training. So kick back as we discuss:

•  Why these cliches could be holding you back, even if they seem like good advice
• How to recognize the misapplications of these phrases that might be damaging your skill development
• Practical strategies for building a progressive training regime without being restricted to empty saying
• And more

Support the show

Get Members Only Content when you upgrade to a premium membership on our Substack page. Click here.

Link up with us:

Website: Pearl Snap Tactical

Instagram: Pearl Snap Tactical

X: Pearl Snap Tacitical


The views and opinions expressed by the guests do not necessarily reflect those of the host, this podcast or affiliates. The information provided in these shows are for educational purposes do not constitute legal advice. Those interest in training in the use of firearms or other self-defense applications are advised to seek out a professional, qualified instructor.

(Some of the links in the episode show notes are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or services we have personally used and believe will add value to our listeners.)