From there, the vision grew into Black Arrow Ranch — a private retreat where the tribe can train, eat, and live out the protector lifestyle together. The podcast and my book, The Spirit of ’76: The Modern Minuteman Guide, were born from that same fire — to rebuild the mindset of the modern protector and remind men of what they were made for.

When I say “we train, we protect, we grill,” it’s not just a tagline. It’s the way we live.

We hit the range to sharpen our skills.
We sit around the fire to sharpen our minds.
And we carry the fire forward — for our families, our communities, and the brotherhood that still stands watch.

Tactical Gear Brotherhood Training

The Story

I’m Burt — founder of Burt’s Rec Room, Black Arrow Ranch, and the Protector Tribe.

This all started simple: I was tired of watching good people spend their hard-earned money on gear that looks “tactical” but fails when it counts. I wanted to build something better — something that stood for reliability, readiness, and brotherhood.

Over time, that mission grew beyond gear. I saw how modern life has made men soft, divided, and disconnected from purpose. The old ways — training together, protecting our families, living by a code — have been replaced with comfort and complacency.

So, I set out to bring it back.

Burt’s Rec Room became more than a store. It became the rally point — a place for protectors, warriors, and serious civilians to connect, train, and get equipped for what really matters.