Introducing the Ground Branch Bug Out Bag: Survival in One Grab-and-Go Kit

by Brian Loftus

Preptober Month Series — Week 1, Part 1 of 2

⚡ Later this week in our Preptober Series: Privacy Academy Webinar - Maximizing your Digital Security. You DO NOT want to miss this FREE webinar!

When disaster strikes, you don’t have time to debate what to pack. Every second wasted gathering gear puts you one step closer to danger. That’s why we’re proud to introduce the Ground Branch Bug Out Bag (GBBOB) — a no-frills, bare-bones, survival-of-the-fittest kit built to get you from Point A to Point B alive.

This isn’t a “tactical-looking” backpack stuffed with filler items. It’s a hand-curated system of essentials, selected by none other than Joe Teti — retired Ground Branch operator, Force Marine Recon, Green Beret, and survival expert.

This is survival, simplified.

The Authority Behind the Gear: Joe Teti

Joe Teti has spent over 20 years in elite U.S. Special Operations — serving in Force Marine Recon, the Army’s Special Forces, and the CIA’s Ground Branch. Less than 1% of SOF operators even make it into Ground Branch, one of the most covert and demanding units in existence.

Joe designed this bag with one principle: mobility plus essentials. Every item inside has been battle-tested in real-world scenarios where failure wasn’t an option. He built this kit to reflect the same mindset he lived by in hostile environments: carry less, move faster, survive longer.

When you pick up the Ground Branch Bug Out Bag, you’re not just carrying gear — you’re carrying Joe Teti’s lifetime of survival knowledge.

What’s Inside the GBBOB?

At just under 3 lbs., this compact kit contains the core tools you need to handle 72 hours of chaos.

Cutting & Tools: Survival Knife (with compass), Ferro Rod + Striker, Hand Chain Saw (with paracord handles), Multi-use Paracord.
Shelter & Warmth: Life Bivy, Life Tent with tie-outs, Emergency Mylar Blanket (OD green/silver), Microfiber Towel.
Water & Food: Water Filter Straw with carbon filter for 99.9999% purity.
Navigation & Signaling: Compass Wristwatch, Survival Whistle, Rechargeable Flashlight (800 lumens), Solar Panel for recharging devices.
Storage: Metal Waterproof EDC container with waxed fire plugs for long-lasting fire-starting.

This is not a gimmick bag with random gear. It’s the bare essentials, purpose-built for survival mobility.

Why an All-in-One System Matters

When emergencies hit, indecision kills. With this bag, you:

Save Time: Everything you need is in one kit. Grab and go in seconds.
Stay Light: Weighs under 3 lbs — designed to keep you mobile, not overloaded.
Avoid Guesswork: Every tool is handpicked by an operator who’s been there.

📌 Imagine this: A wildfire is advancing on your neighborhood. You’ve got 5 minutes to evacuate. Do you waste time assembling gear? Or do you grab your Ground Branch Bug Out Bag — knowing you have water, shelter, fire, navigation, and signaling tools in hand?

How It Compares

DIY Kits: Risk forgetting critical gear.
Cheap “Amazon Survival Kits”: Full of filler items that break or fail when tested.
Military Rucks: Built for soldiers, too bulky and heavy for civilian bug-outs.

👉 The Ground Branch Bug Out Bag is different: compact, curated, and mission-focused. No fluff. No filler. Just the tools you need to stay alive.

A Survival System, Not Just a Bag

This isn’t about the backpack. It’s about the system inside. Joe Teti designed this as a 72-hour survival solution — a “bare bones kit for pure grit.

Pair the Ground Branch Bug Out Bag with the Ground Branch Tactical Knife or Joe’s book Lone Operator: How to Survive & Thrive in the Modern Ag e (available with autographed copies) and you’ve got a complete survival philosophy you can carry with you.