The Martialist: The Magazine For Those Who Fight Unfairly

The Tactical Shoulder Bag

By Phil Elmore

Many office denizens tote their gear in briefcases. I was one of them for years. Over time, however, I've come to believe that a bag with a shoulder strap offers the martialist more advantages when on the go and in times of emergency.

First and foremost, the shoulder strap of a good bag frees your hands. It can be placed across your body, securing it but permitting freedom of movement – unlike a briefcase, which is locked into one fist. Normally you should place the strap over your strong-side shoulder so the bag rides on your weak side, leaving your strong side hand free to draw a weapon carried in your pocket or behind your hip.

Carrying a bag means having a way to tote gear you might not carry on your person. I know some of you carry so much stuff on your belt that you might as well be Batman (Batmen?), but there's an easier way. Clip or strap items to your tactical office bag. I place my mobile phone on my bag and have added a Xenon-bulb tactical light for emergencies. The case for the light houses extra lithium batteries, too.

You must tailor the contents of your bag to your specific needs. As a writer and a myope, I carry a tiny eyeglass repair kit and extra eye drops. If you wear contact lenses, you should carry extra contact lens solution. I also carry plenty of pens and pencils (which can do double duty as stabbing implements), my camera and tape recorder, my organizer, and numerous files and pads of paper.

If you take prescription medication, keep a supply of your meds on hand in your bag. Plan ahead for emergencies and include all the "consumables" of which you can think – including any and all supplies you use regularly and must replace.

While you're doing that, make sure to include emergency gadgetry. I have my Pock-Its emergency kit and a great multi-tool knife that was a gift from my lovely wife.

The tactical office bag is really just a function of common sense. Do some planning and packing ahead of time and you'll be glad that you did. When you're at the office, you're away from home. As commuters in New York City found out on September 11, there are times when "home" seems impossibly far away. At those times, all you have on which to rely is what you carried to the office that day.

Brainstorm, experiment, and pack your tactical bag before you need it.