Interview with Havoc 2-1 Of 2A Industry Fame
Havoc 2-1, thanks for your time. I’ve got a few questions for you ahead of the M81 Woodland CAMO restock coming in the next few months. Our gear enjoyers are salivating, and in the meantime, I’ve decided to do a few of these interviews as a means of keeping them satiated. We’re a rabid bunch over here at RÈBÈLs RÄIDÈRs.
You mentioned using the Phoenix Duty Pack. What’s your honest opinion of it?
It's an awesome pack with a ton of features, great quality, and a reasonable price. Features, quality, and price are the trifecta of packs. You generally have to pick two and sacrifice the third, but the Phoenix pack hits the trifecta, which is shockingly rare.
Does it stand out compared to our competitors, and if so, how?
The amount of features packed into it, while still coming in at a good price and quality, as I mentioned before, makes it stand out. The features that stand out to me are the helmet retention/oversize feature and the zip-up storage panel on the back. I'm a big fan of wearing a helmet as much as possible. For field training or real-world use, I think people underestimate the value of protecting your head. I even strongly encourage people to wear a helmet, even if not wearing body armor. The problem is, you sometimes need to take it off, and having a place to stow a helmet is a massive headache. I have spent many dollars and countless hours of frustration getting a way to securely strap my helmet to a pack in a neat and compact way. The Phoenix pack knocks it out of the park. The zip-up rear panel is perfect for stowing a folded-up AR, JAKL, or AK. I specifically used it to stow my 300blk JAKL. What stands out even more is that with the gun in there, the panel is stiff enough that I don't feel it poking me in the back.
You’ve amassed a hefty following full of tactical enjoyers how did you become interested in doing what you do? What’s your story so far?
I started off in the Army back in the mid-2000s. Did a few deployments as a Cavalry Scout and Designated Marksman. After getting out in 2015, there was a long gap of time where I just kind of coasted. I kept up to date with the latest and greatest in training and doctrine but wasn't really actively participating much. About 2.5 years ago, I had some major life changes and decided it was time to get back in the saddle. I started training again, learning new things, updating old dogma, and starting to push myself to be better trained and equipped. About one year ago, I started using an old X account to connect with folks in the gun/training community. I started making these longer threads of information just because I felt like getting the stuff out of my head and into the world. I honestly could never have guessed it would take off as it has. This time last year, I had maybe 100 followers, and that has somehow turned into over 15,000 of them. I have always enjoyed teaching and sharing information with people to help them reach their goals, so this is kind of a natural fit for me. I met Josh and Drew from Dirty Civilian at an Agonic survival course, and they invited me on the channel to share some of my Land Nav knowledge. That turned into a friendship and led to me working with them regularly on the channel, writing scripts, developing concepts, and helping out however I can.
Is there a story behind “Havoc 2-1”, and if so, would you mind sharing it with us?
It's a pretty boring origin. My second deployment, all of the designated marksmen in our unit were pulled from our platoons for a time to work for the Squadron (battalion in infantry speak). We needed a callsign that started with H because we were attached to Headquarters, so we decided on Havoc. The number designation was just how we determined which team member was talking on the radio. Team 1 was 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, etc., and Team 2 was 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, etc.
If you had to give someone a fast and dirty perspective (it’s a huge topic, I know) on what matters and what doesn’t in the preparedness context, what would it be?
First is community. You need people. You need them more than you need any piece of gear or preps. Finding people you can trust and rely on has to be your number one priority. It's very hard to do, and it takes forever sometimes, but it's going to be the difference-maker. Not just for SHTF or some kind of extreme collapse, but just in everyday crises or natural disasters. Next is mindset and skillset. You have to have the will to win and survive first and foremost. Then you need the understanding of what to do to achieve that goal. In practice, that means getting your mind right, finding peace with yourself, and having a reason to live. Skillset development is just learning. It doesn't need to be in a class setting or taught by an instructor; you can learn a ton on the internet. Learn how to do everything you can. Get many different opinions and methods. Fill your brain with knowledge.
- For firearms training, the focus needs to be your fundamental skills: grip, vision, etc.
- For tactical or skill training, you need to cover your basics before dumping time and money into niche skills like CQB, long-range, etc. Focus on survival training, comms, land nav, and small unit tactics like patrolling and reacting to contact.
- Lastly is gear and preparations. Focus on the most likely and most deadly potential threats first and foremost.
There is also a priority list I think everyone should follow:
- Priority 1
- 6 months of savings
- The ability to defend yourself (CCW and a rifle)
- 90 days of food
- 1 week of step-off water (water ready to go in containers)
- The ability to clean water indefinitely
- Priority 2
- Another 90 days of food
- Robust defensive capability (this is where all the gear, plate carriers, NODs, thermals, etc., come in)
- Redundancy for all the above things
Could you give us a hot take on all these preparedness or firearm influencers that might be seen as loosely controversial?
You gotta recognize the grifters and separate them from the people who are genuinely trying to put out good information. Some folks are very clearly in it for the clout. You can usually tell because they stir up needless drama, never practice or demonstrate the skills they preach, never speak ill of a product, will take a sponsorship from just about anyone, and chase trends without understanding them. On the contrary, there are a ton of great influencers and content creators who are genuinely good at what they do, have good intentions to pass on the best information possible, and take pride in putting out great content that has a positive impact on people.
What’s your honest take on M81? How does it stack compared to others?
M81 is God's plaid. It is based, kino, and many other Zoomer terms as well. Real talk, it's great for many environments but is rarely the absolute best choice. Here in middle Tennessee, it's a bit too brown for the summers and too green for the fall and winter. Jungle Tigerstripe and Multicam Tropic are the play in the spring/summer here, and Desert Tigerstripe and Multicam Arid are the play in the fall/winter. That being said, you can always modify your camo for your location, and M81 is probably one of the best base camos to start that process with.
CONCLUSION
You read it here boys—Havoc 2-1 is with us. That God’s plaid is going to drop soon and we’re totally stoked. Get your bags of beer cans up to the Wally World so you can start saving for some hot M81 gear.
1 comment
I enjoyed your article Havoc 2-1. Your writing style is concise and informational. The peppering in of your personal life with your opinions was evenly balanced. I look forward to reading more articles from you in the future.