What I carry everyday varies. Now that I am retired, my needs analysis is different than it once was. When I was still an active law enforcement officer, I needed more items of kit on my person than I do now. Now I can be more streamlined, and still be sufficiently prepared for likely contingencies. This is more in line with most civilian CCL holders’ needs. With what is going on currently in our country, I may stage more items off-body in my vehicle, or opt for my full-size pistol instead of my compact based on where I will be, and what recent events have been. The basics remain fairly constant though.

The basics are of course a firearm and a spare magazine. I am large enough to comfortably carry a full size pistol concealed, so my go-to is my Staccato XC 2011. It gives me 21 rounds of 9mm in a high performing and reliable pistol. I carry AIWB (appendix inside the waist band) for concealment, and use the Trifecta holster from Weber Tactical. I’ve added a foam wedge from Raven Concealment to the Trifecta, as well as a second belt clip for added stability. If I’m going to be driving long distances, running a quick errand, or if I’m dressed for extremely hot weather I’ll sometimes carry my compact Staccato C instead. It’s a single stack, so it is much slimmer and lighter than my full-size 2011s. The C also gets worn AIWB in a Trifecta. It’s a comfortable pistol to conceal, and shoots well, but it has less performance and capacity than the XC. I usually carry a spare magazine as well. More because of malfunction clearances than the likelihood of a reload being necessary under fire. I use a neomag for ease of concealment here.

I also typically carry a small fixed-blade knife. Employing a folding knife under stress while entangled with an adversary can be problematic. A fixed blade solves this issue, and is comfortable to conceal when worn properly. My go-to knife at the moment is from Skallywag Tactical. It’s a “ring knife” which offers significant advantages for concealment and employment. Another must have EDC item is a small flashlight. There are numerous affordable, small, and powerful options for EDC flashlights available. The last common category of EDC kit is medical. Now that I am retired, I no longer carry any sort of IFAK on my person. I do though keep full medical kits in all my family’s vehicles.

What is most important to remember though is that kit is useless without skill, and both are useless without awareness. Seek out reputable training, practice your skills, and cultivate a mindset of relaxed awareness. Those are the things that carry the day.

(Originally written for and published on tacticalhyve.com)