A Self-Help Guide to Antiterrorism

  

CJCS Guide 5260 - A Self-Help Guide to Antiterrorism (June 10, 2013) states: "deploying personnel should assemble and carry Personal Survival Kits. -- "Creating and carrying a personal survival kit will augment any issued survival equipment in order to help an isolated person survive. Individuals must personalize their survival kits for the operating environment. Consider including the following items in a personal survival kit: water, shade tarp, [weapon and] ammunition, radio, personal locator beacon (PLB), satellite phone, commercial tracking device, maps, compass, and emergency signaling devices, local purchase cell phone, sun block, insect repellent, head net, space blanket, burlap, poncho, a mirror, infrared (IR) and visible lights (e.g.: Fire Flies, laser pointer, Micro Lights, Phoenix, chemical lights, etc.), 3’x3’ bright colored cloth, 1 sq. inch of glint tape, knife or multi-tool, fire starter, candle, button compass, water purification tablets, three 1-gallon zip lock bags, large plastic leaf/trash bag (for water storage and protection from the elements), 100 ft. parachute cord, gloves, large needles, dental floss, safety pins, first aid items, and any needed medications. If extra clothing is included, it should be lightweight, windproof, waterproof, and appropriate for cultural, environmental, and seasonal conditions. An outer jacket and hat and sturdy local footwear could be useful for blending with the local population. Having a small or moderate amount of local and U.S. currency may be useful for purchasing supplies or materials. During pre-mission planning, personnel should consider the different survival situations when deciding what to pack in their personal survival kits. Personnel should also determine which items are necessary to retain in an emergency and which are expendable." 

While the odds of being killed by a terrorist in the United States are extremely low, the military's recommendations for protecting yourself and your family from a terrorist attack can also help protect against other types of violent criminal activity (such as an Active Shooter), as well as helping one be better prepared to survive in the wake of a major disaster.

In the almost two decades since 9/11, there is only one case of a jihadist foreign terrorist organization directing or coordinating a deadly attack inside the United States. That case is the attack at the Naval Air Station Pensacola on December 6, 2019, when Mohammed Al-Shamrani shot and killed three people. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed the attack and according to the FBI, evidence from Al-Shamrani's phone confirms he was in contact with an AQAP militant and AQAP prior to his entry to the United States continuing though the attack and also confirms the will presented in AQAP's video claim was sent to them by Al-Shamrani.

The chance of being murdered in a terrorist attack on U.S. soil is about 1 in 30.1 million per year during any given year.  The chance of being murdered by a native-born terrorist is about 1 in 43.8 million per year, and the chance of chance of being murdered by foreign-born terrorists in the United States is about 1 in 104.2 million per year.

But, according to the CDC, the odds of being struck by lightning in a given year are around 1 in 500,000. Yes, you are far more likely to be struck by lightening than you are to be killed by a terrorist in the United States (or Canada). Still, CJCS Guide 5260 - A Self-Help Guide to Antiterrorism - is a useful preparedness reference for some situations.  

The Joint Staff in coordination with the Military Services has also developed an on-line antiterrorism awareness course: JS-US007 - Level I Antiterrorism Awareness Training - (2 hrs). Completion of this training meets the annual requirement for Level I Antiterrorism Training prescribed by DoDI 2000.16. The course is also available to the general public.