The Black Crown Dispatch - Issue 5

Welcome to the fifth edition of The Black Crown Dispatch. This newsletter is designed for all of you who value discipline, focus, and relentless self-improvement.

Mastering the Winter Environment: Challenges & Lessons

As the seasons shift, so does the battlefield. Winter environments test even the most seasoned operators, demanding advanced preparation, adaptability, and resilience. For Zero Sig, winter training is about more than just cold-weather gear—it's about mastering the elements to maintain operational superiority.

Winter patrolling introduces unique challenges: reduced visibility, icy terrains, and freezing temperatures can impact everything from maneuverability to communication systems. We work on mitigating these factors through targeted mission planning, testing gear resilience, and honing individual and team skills under harsh conditions.

A key lesson is the critical role of layered systems—both in gear and tactics. We’ve developed protocols to keep equipment functional in extreme cold while ensuring rapid accessibility for mission-critical tools. From vehicle operations on icy roads to foot patrols in sub-zero conditions, our focus is on minimizing exposure, enhancing mobility, and staying mission-ready in the most unpredictable environments.

Moreover, winter offers the opportunity to understand pacing, a weird parallel to winter operations, is jungle operations. We will often move slower and stay on the precipice of “cold” to try and not sweat.

Why is this important?

Well due to the cold you may not FEEL like you are dehydrated, but you will dehydrate quickly with your body getting used to the stress of keeping you at a normal temperature range, moving with heavy equipment while the snow either sucks your legs into the earth, or eats your Nordic ski, while looking for your next point of cover, or position of observation. At Zero Sig, we want to work with you to refine your operational ability to blend as seamlessly as possible into the environment, while trying to stay as comfortable and operationally effective as possible.

For you, the takeaway is clear: adapting to seasonal elements is an essential part of your operational toolkit. Whether you’re part of law enforcement, military, or security operations, being able to function at full capacity year-round is critical to mission success.

Stay sharp, stay ready, and never let the environment dictate your effectiveness.

Gear Tip of the Month: Winter Readiness Essentials

When building out your cold-weather kit, focus on multi-functional tools and gear that can withstand sub-zero conditions:

Layering is Everything: Ensure your layers allow for breathability while retaining body heat. Look for gear that wicks moisture, as sweat can freeze rapidly in cold conditions. Typically, I wore Under Armour hockey gitch as a base layer to wick moisture off my body IF I should get that warm, with a layer of long johns over it. I tried to stay as cool as possible unless we were in arctic conditions. This means, I used more wind-breaking thinner Gore-Tex outer shells with a sweater (if it was cold) to move effectively with the least amount on and stay functional. Outdoor Research makes great, and affordable kit for your base layers and winter operations gloves.

Weapon State: We tend to over lubricate weapons, which can be detrimental in cold environments. Try to keep your weapon a little lubricated, but mostly dry, and try not to bring it from the indoors to outdoors (tents or dug-out shelters) as you can create condensation that will freeze, thereby inducing a malfunction. Keep your firearm as close to the operating temperature as possible.

Emergency Preparedness: Always carry quick-deploy fire-starting kits and hand warmers for emergencies. Zero will be providing some free education on survival kits on our YouTube channel to get you started.

Gear isn't just about comfort—it's about survival.

2025: Winter Modules Are Coming

Zero Sig will officially launch our Winter Tactical Readiness courses. These sessions will cover patrolling, mobility, and mission planning in winter conditions, ensuring you’re ready to dominate in the cold.

Spots are limited, and demand is high. Make sure you’re subscribed to be the first to hear about these opportunities.

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The Black Crown Dispatch is your source for actionable insights, tactical tips, and first access to Zero Sig training opportunities. Whether you’re refining your fundamentals or looking to take on advanced modules, this is where your evolution begins.

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Wishing you and yours the very best for 2025.

Stay Zeroed,

The Zero Sig Team