Level Up: Featuring Former Navy SEAL Craig “Sawman” Sawyer

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 we’re continuing along in the series by taking a look at what gear our friend Craig “Sawman” Sawyer 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. Craig is a former Marine and Navy SEAL with an extensive background, including being one of the first Federal Air Marshals after 9/11. You can read Craig’s full biography on his website tacticalinsider.com and check out his Hard Target Training courses while you’re there.

Always, No Matter What

Gear Craig has on him no matter the circumstances.

• Cell Phone with Charger
• Small Glock Pistol
• Small Pocket Knife
• Water
• SWAT-T Tourniquet
• Surefire E1L Flashlight

Could Live Without It

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

• Multi-Tool
• Sunscreen
• Spare Magazine for Pistol
• Additional Water
• Trauma Kit
• Sunglasses

If Space/Opportunity Allows

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

• Combat-Ready Carbine with Spare Lube and Cleaning Tools
• Pistol
• Spare Mags for Both Pistol and Rifle
• Chest Rig with Plates
• Two Tourniquets
• Encrypted Radio with Reactive Ear Protection
• Trauma Kit
• Night Vision
• Thermal Device
• IR Illuminator
• Combat Knife
• Multi-Tool
• Map
• GPS
• Compass
• Cell Phone
• Cash
• Spare Batteries
• Quality Footwear
• UV-Reactive Eye Protection
• Ballistic FAST Helmet with Wilcox NVG Mount
• Quality Multi-Function Watch
• Hydration Bladder
• Waterproof Notepad
• Waterproof Pen
• Waterproof Bags
• Retractors
• IR Strobe
• Laminated Card with Frequencies/Call Signs/Contacts
• Specter Overhead
• Fast Movers Loitering On Station
• Tier 1 Team with Me

We’d like to thank Craig Sawyer for giving us a look into what he carries. If you’ve got questions regarding Craig’s 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!