From knives to firearms to pens to flashlights and timepieces, having the right tools for the job can make all the difference.
For CIA Case Officers living and working in dangerous locations, society can quickly break down into coups, political violence, terrorism, and armed conflict. Training for and experience in austere environments lead Case Officers to put significant thought into their everyday carry or EDC
In this new video on the Watches of Espionage YouTube Channel, we’ll offer unique insights into an intelligence officer's EDC. From pocket knives and notebooks to flashlights and watches, analyzing a CIA Case Officer's tools provides key lessons in utility, minimalism, and tradecraft.
Enjoy episode thirty-four of W.O.E. TV.
Happy Hunting,
-W.O.E.
8 comments
A great video. One thing that I have wondered as I have read all the articles on this site why is there no love for the Rolex Explorer within the CIA and military community. I see a lot of GMTs and Submariners, but I would think that the Explorer with its under the radar (for a Rolex) looks would get more attention in this community.
Love your video. We may have worked together (below name a pseudo). I’m retired.
In Brazil, there was a state that attempted to prohibit people from carrying blades longer than 10 cm (3.9 in), but the law was revoked. Here, you can carry a machete in all 26 states if you wish, which is not uncommon to see in the countryside.
Today, I carry a Victorinox Huntsman in my pocket. In my backpack I carry another multi-tool, similar to a Leatherman, as well as a pocket knife. Both are from Brazilian brands, they do the job and are of good quality.
There is a lot of bureaucracy involved in getting a firearm as a civilian here. You’ve no idea.
The only long firearm I’m familiar with is the 7.62 mm PARAFAL rifle from my time in the Brazilian Army, a version of the Belgian FN FAL (Fusil Automatique Léger) 7.62 mm. I’ve heard some Americans refer to the FAL as “the AK-47 of the free world.” When I served, it was still in the 7.62 mm calibre, but it has since been replaced by the 5.56 mm. What a bunch of snowflake-generation, isn’t it?
In Ralph Johnson time the donkey got the job done by reflect the attention to it no matter what Ralph did
The most overlooked EDC is a thick sturdy leather belt. Shawn Ryan pointed this out in his EDC episode. For knives I lost a little part of me when I lost a Titanium Dalton SOB I auto in Iraq. Only 130 were made. Ever since then I never carry an expensive knife. Always carry a Wal-Mart cheap-o disposable pocket knife. The kind you don’t mind losing at a metal detector checkpoint on occasion. I carry a sturdy pointy metal pen in the placket or neckline of shirt for convenience and for quick access to jab in the face or eyeballs like Clint Emerson recommends. Most of my EDC is in my plastic neck wallet. I use a passport card, retired military ID, ID without street address, and always use them in lieu of DL or State ID unless to LE. It’s no ones business where you live and it’s illegal to photocopy USG IDs. Jokes on them. Thanks to this LGBTQRSTUVWXYZ fad, preferred names on credit and debit cards are more acceptable. Use a pseudonym on a card and carry one with real name when they ID. Cash is king but not everyone takes cash. I always carry my LEOSA card too. On my keychain I carry a yubikey hardware 2FA, a live USB loaded with about 8 different Linux hacking and non persistent Linux distros, and an encrypted thumbdrive with all my important documents. I carry a pair of Oakley sunglasses, disposable lighter, “Covid Key”, and a small bottle of hand sanitizer too. My flashlight of choice is an Olight Baton 3. When armed I prefer to carry a .380 or 9mm pocket pistol. The kind you can conceal your drawl by unassuming pocket coin rattling and to get yourself out of a gunfight up close, not get into a gunfight. My phone of choice is a Pixel loaded with GrapheneOS, security and privacy hardened, and further customized with an anonymous data only IOT sim card, VOIP only numbers on a SIP app, encrypted messaging, VPNs that I created with pseudonyms on free tier cloud services, a iodine over DNS VPN to circumvent airline captive portals and use messaging over DNS, and encrypted DNS in the cloud that I control to hinder app tracking and overall phone telematics at the OS level. I use about 12+ VOIP numbers, can generate infinite disposable email forwards, and use a PO box (or Post office street addressing to my PO Box) when someone asks for contact info. I can generate disposable anonymous virtual debit card numbers too.