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How ordinary citizens can help in the war against terrorism

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According to counter-terrorism consultant James Feldkamp, one of the misconceptions people have about the war against terror is that it is a battle that only trained soldiers and law enforcement can fight. While there’s some truth to this, Feldkamp explains that ordinary citizens can do their part without having to join the military or law enforcement agencies. Image source: en.wikipedia.org Image source: youtube.com Take, for example, the FBI. The bureau itself has admitted in the past that it needs help from civilians who are willing to do their part in putting terrorists behind bars. And while their abilities are limited, ordinary citizens can still be very useful against terrorists. In this day and age, simple awareness and vigilance can go a long way. With the technology at everyone’s fingertips, taking and sending photographs, alerting the authorities, and doing research can be done at the drop of a hat from almost anywhere. That being said, James Feldkamp
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Survival 101: Extremely important reminders when there are threats in the vicinity

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During his free time, James Feldkamp loves to sail around the world. But for his day job, Feldkamp is the Lead Consultant for Intelligence and Counterterrorism at Complete Threat Preparedness. While he’s shared a few blogs on his hobbies, he wants to take the time to inform everyone on something that’s extremely important, especially in today’s world – preparedness in the event of a live threat. Image source: miamipspi.com Image source: abcnews.com  Over the past decade, there have been a number of mass shootings in the United States, and the odds of it happening are not going down. It’s important that people know what to do during these situations. As such, James Feldkamp lists two must-dos in case of a threat. Be familiar with the surroundings. As soon as a person steps into an establishment, he or she should immediately look for any emergency exits. These are the first places people should head to in case of an active shooter in the area. If there are mult
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Some sailing basics for first-timers

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Most seasoned sailors will be quick to get poetic and tell you that what’s special about sailing is the connection you make with nature. When you’re in that perfect moment, it can feel spiritual: The entire world seems to go all quiet, and all you can hear is the passing breeze and the hull moving across the water. But before we get too sentimental, you need to first find yourself at sea and get going (or cruising). Below are some tips for beginners, courtesy of seasoned sailing enthusiast James Feldkamp. Image source: popularmechanics.com Image source: asa.com First, if it’s within your capacity, go join a sailing workshop. The top two certifying bodies in the U.S. are U.S. Sailing and the American Sailing Association. There are, of course, hundreds more spread across the country, with beginner courses usually conducted during the weekends at an average rate of $500 per student. One common question that first-time sailors ask is, “What should one do when there’s a
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Debunking common myths about sailing

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Sailing often conjures images of faultless blue waters, glorious sunsets, cocktails, and all-around sunshine. But it’s also a fun sporting activity that involves a host of new things to learn, from steering and reading maps to folding ropes and trimming sails. In this blog, sailing enthusiast James Feldkamp talks about some common sailing misconceptions. Image source: quantumsails.com Image source: total-croatia-news.com First, it’s not as difficult as you think. Yes, as in all endeavors, it requires dealing with a certain learning curve. But once you become familiar with the many sailing terms and techniques, you’d soon become at ease. You simply have to be committed to learning the sailing rules and be confident with your skills. Of course, it’s best to have a chartered boat in the beginning as well as an experienced skipper on board as you practice and master the craft. It’s also untrue that sailing is an elitist sport. Contrary to what you may have thought
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Today’s U.S. Navy ships need solid punching power

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The U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship or LCS has drawn considerable flak in recent years due to the relatively slow shipbuilding. But perfecting its design and expanding its functions may simply be a matter of finding the right add-ons, explains James Feldkamp, former Navy Commander and now an adjunct professor at George Mason University. Image source: lockheedmartin.com Image source: military.com About half of all available LCS have not been active since the Cold War. If the LCS is indeed to again become a crucial vessel in the U.S. Navy fleet, it must offer solid punching power. After all, the ship already comes with a modular design. It’s possible to place, say, add-on sleets as part of today’s open-architecture, off-the-shelf technology. One of the best ways to realize the LCS’ capabilities and potential is to equip them with the Norwegian-made, fifth-generation Naval Strike Missile. Having these missiles on board is one of the best ways to increase U.S. naval s
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Strengthening littoral combat ships for the future

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Counterterrorism and global security expert James Feldkamp has cited the strengthening of littoral combat ships (LCSs) as one of the cornerstones of U.S. naval success in the next few years. He believes that with the proper research and purchasing, as well as efficient shipbuilding, the United States may be able to create more capable sea vessels at a lower cost. Image source: Wikipedia.com Image source: businessinsider.sg For starters, James mentions the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) as a good fit for any LCS. The guidance system of this 900-pound anti-ship projectile has been developed to give it an over-the-horizon capability with a range of 115 nautical miles. The guidance system is state-of-the-art with GPS inertial and terrain reference systems that are more advanced than the U.S.’s own GM-84 Harpoon. Equipped with the NSM, LCSs attacks would be much harder to prevent, as evidenced in war games. In the simulation, smaller ships were targets and enemie
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Should you try your hand at sailing?

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Sailing is more than a segue from a trip to a prime vacation spot. It is a sport that is loved and adored by many men and women across the globe. It offers lessons that are not exclusive to the sport itself. It can teach a person a lot about grit, discipline, and determination. Image source: sportspromedia.com A good reason to try sailing is to have broader horizons, literally and figuratively. Sailing is all about learning and developing new perspectives. For most sailors, the sea is where they are most relieved of stress. For James Feldkamp, a participant in the upcoming Clipper Round the World Race, sailing also teaches the value of being in control. When one is faced with a tough challenge, they are only greatly in charge of their attitude and behavior towards it; proper vessel control and management take grit and guts. Image source: bavariayachts.com As with most sports, camaraderie is at the heart of sailing. Effective teamwork leads to fun moments at se
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