Level Up: Featuring Sensei James Williams

Here on ITS, we’ve always approached the subject of Every Day Carry gear as a system of levels. Each level of the gear you carry can support you in getting to the next. As you move up the levels, more equipment is added, making you better prepared for whatever may come. While not everyone uses this approach to carry, we wanted to reach out to industry professionals to see what their system was.

Today, our series continues as we take a look at the gear Sensei James Williams relies on. We first wanted to know what items he’d always have on him no matter what the circumstances. Next, the gear he’d like to have on him, but didn’t consider essential. Finally, what he’d take if he wasn’t constrained by space or other factors.

James Williams has been studying martial arts since 1960 and teaching since 1975. He’s trained, competed in and taught a number of different martial disciplines: Japanese, Okinawan, Chinese, Filippino, as well as the western traditions of wrestling, boxing and kickboxing.  He is also certified as an instructor of Systema, an Ancient Russian Martial Art, under Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasiliev. For more information on James and the training he offers, visit System of Strategy.

Always, No Matter What

Gear James has on him no matter the circumstances.

• CRKT Otanashi noh Ken
• CRKT Williams Defense Pen
• CRKT Tactical Applications Light
• ITS Urban Kit
• ITS Handcuff Key (Carried in Wallet)
• Wallet with Extra Cash

Could Live Without It

Gear James would like to have, but doesn’t consider essential.

• ITS EDC Trauma Kit
• ITS ETA Trauma Kit
• Aspirin
• R.A.T.S. Tourniquet
• SOF Tactical Tourniquet
• SWAT-T Tourniquet
• Hyfin Vent Chest Seal
• Hemostats (For those Hard to Reach Bleeders)
• 3 Breath of Life Escape Hoods
• Extra gauze
• Celox Hemostatic Agent
• ORAL I.V.
• Oral Hydrations Salts
• Coflex
• 550 Cord Set Up for Hojo Jutsu
• 550 Cord Bracelet with Wire Saw
• 1” wide Gorilla Tape
• 10X Monocular
• Life Straw
• BioMask
• Defense Key
• 2 CRKT Williams Defense Pens
• 1000 lumen Surefire Flashlight
• 6 mode CRKT Tactical Applications Flashlight
• Two back up Flashlights-1 blue light and 1green light
• Rechargeable Flashlight
• Belkin Battery for iPhone (Provides at least 4 full charges)
• Glint (You never know where you are)
• Eye Protection
• SureFire Ear Protection
• CRKT Yukanto 4.5” concealable fixed blade with Veff Serrations
• Williams HZT Tanto 6.5” Blade
• Passport
• Emergency Blanket
• Lip Balm (Great for Starting Fires)

If Space/Opportunity Allows

Gear James would take if he wasn’t constrained by space or other factors.

• Chest Rig
• ITS ETA Trauma Kit Pouch (Fatboy)
• Marmot Sleeping Bag
• Tomahawk
• CRKT Hisshou
• Go Bag
• Bug Out Bag
• Kryptek Jacket

We’d like to thank Sensei James Williams for giving us a look into what he carries. If you’ve got questions regarding his gear, leave them in the comments below. This is an ongoing series here on ITS and we already have more industry professionals that we’ll be featuring soon!