Here’s a preferred carry spotlight on a former Law Enforcement Officer to uncover the sidearms carried on and off duty. Also, preferred cutting tools. Check out behind the scenes of the gear the pros swear by!
Lt. Mike Lychock and his Preferred Carry
- Lt. Mike- Retired LEO and Outdoorsman
- Lt. Mike, What Got You into Law Enforcement?
- What Type of Wilderness Skills Training Have You Been Part Of?
- What Was Your Issued Firearm While Working as an Officer?
- Preferred Carry: Long Gun or Handgun?
- Is The “21-Foot Rule” Distance Sufficient?
- What Is Your Preferred Firearm Off-Duty in Town or the Woods, And Why?
- What Are Your Preferred Cutting Tools on the Job?
- What Cutting Tools Do You Carry, Such As EDC Or Woods Tools, And Why?
- Preferred Carry Go-To Firestarter?
- Best Thing About Being on the Job?
Lt. Mike- Retired LEO and Outdoorsman
Lt. Mike Lychock is a retired police officer and trainer. He has over 37 years of law enforcement and government service. Lt. Mike is a practitioner of bushcraft and survival skills, and most things outdoors. Mike has been a Patrol Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Detective.
Instructor Training/Career Highlights:
- Defensive Driving Instructor
- Firearms Instructor
- Iron Site Rifle Instructor
- Certified New Jersey State Police Training Commission Instructor
- Sub-machine gun Instructor
- High Risk Warrant Specialist
- Tactical Shield Instructor
- New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, N.J.O.H.S.P. Counter Terrorism Watch Unit 2011 to Present
Lt. Mike, What Got You into Law Enforcement?
My Dad said I wanted to be a police officer as a kid, but I don’t remember that. After high school, I attended community college until I found my path. Influenced by older friends in law enforcement, I got a security job at an amusement park, which helped me gain experience in public service and enforcement. This led to a dispatcher role at my town’s police department, and in 1985, I became an officer there. A year later, I joined a larger neighboring department where I worked for 25 years until retirement.
What Type of Wilderness Skills Training Have You Been Part Of?
My formal training began with Tom Brown at the Tracker School in 1999. A few years later, I met Marty Simon and Kevin Estela through Dan Shechtman, a writer in the outdoor industry. I had been following Dan’s outings, so I emailed him at Tactical Knives magazine, and he invited me to a weekend trip in Pennsylvania.
This scenario-based trip, with limited equipment, helped me connect with a great group of people and opened doors to many experiences. I attended various classes and events with Marty at the Wilderness Learning Center in New York, including land navigation and winter survival training.
When Kevin started his school, I assisted him with several courses. Additionally, I trained at Byron Kerns’ survival school in Virginia, Madison Parker’s survival course in Florida, and most recently, with Tim Smith at Jack Mountain Bushcraft in Maine.
What Was Your Issued Firearm While Working as an Officer?
I started my career with a Smith & Wesson Model 469 9mm, then a Beretta Model 92F 9mm, GLOCK Model 22 .40 cal, and ended my career with the GLOCK Model 21 .45 ACP. Most of the time was with the GLOCK 22, my favorite and the most trigger time.
Preferred Carry: Long Gun or Handgun?
I’m a handgun guy. As a firearms instructor, that’s where I spent most of my training time. We didn’t have patrol rifles when I started in the 80s, and it was several years before we got rifles for our tactical team. We ran sub-guns and shotguns for a while, but I was issued a Colt M4 later in my career, which I hated to turn in upon retirement.
Is The “21-Foot Rule” Distance Sufficient?
Yes, it was a big deal in the 80s. We knew it as the Tueller Drill, named for the officer who developed the concept. I was fortunate to have worked when this stuff was new, and law enforcement was adjusting to the importance of firearms training and combatives beyond the twice-a-year static qualifications.
We used to drill with a running man target system that would advance toward the shooter and close the 21-foot distance on a motorized cable. Some earlier drills were rudimentary and reckless, but we drilled them.
What Is Your Preferred Firearm Off-Duty in Town or the Woods, And Why?
I carried a GLOCK Sub-Compact Mod. 27 .40 Cal. for years as a backup gun and as an off-duty gun. For woods, I carried the same as it was my authorized off-duty gun. As a retired guy, I carry mostly the GLOCK Model 43 9mm and occasionally the GLOCK Model 45 9mm for both town and woods carry. Again, this is what I am qualified to carry.
What Are Your Preferred Cutting Tools on the Job?
When I started, I mostly carried some type of lockback or a Swiss Army knife since the tactical folder wasn’t born yet. I later carried a Terzuola ATCF combat folder and/or a Chris Reeve Sebenza through the 1990s-2000s, ending with a Benchmade Ritter RSK MK1 Griptilian. On my TAC vest, I had a smooth back GLOCK knife.
What Cutting Tools Do You Carry, Such As EDC Or Woods Tools, And Why?
My preferred carry was a 4-inch range bushcraft knife, usually Scandi ground, for years. My first knife was by Mora or Marttini, followed by Dan Koster’s Bushcrafter. I also used a Skookum Bushtool, which I’ve used for many years and is still in the rotation. I’ve added the Wenger Blades Bush Pilot, Knives By Nuge Bruin, and Cub. I also use the Reiff Knives F4—all outstanding Scandi ground knives.
For EDC, I have been really liking the pocket fixed blades lately. They offer a lot of versatility. Again, I mostly use Knives by Nuge and Wenger Blades. The newer Hogue Ritter is still an EDC option.
Preferred Carry Go-To Firestarter?
The old standby, Vaseline-soaked cotton ball. Cheap, readily made, and very effective. Marty Simon professed that any good emergency tinder should be able to be ignited by a spark or flame.
Best Thing About Being on the Job?
The camaraderie and the wide range of daily experiences and opportunities.
Much appreciated, Mike. I am honored to call you my friend!
For more gear photos, check out @ltmike310!
