Disclaimer

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Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I recommend only products I believe are useful for the people this site serves — and where I say I've personally tested something, I mean it.

thethinblueroad.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission from the retailer — at no extra cost to you. That's how the site stays free to read.

Here's my commitment: a commission never changes what I'd tell you face to face. I recommend products I believe are genuinely useful for officers, veterans, and the families who stand behind them. Some products I have personally tested over weeks or months on duty, at the range, or in daily life — those carry the "Tested by Mark" mark with the test details behind it. Others I recommend based on research, specs, and trusted field reports, and I say so plainly. If I haven't tested it, I won't claim I did.

Retailers do not review, approve, or pay for my opinions. My reviews are my own, and a bad product gets a bad review whether or not there's a commission attached.

Amazon Associates Disclosure

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Never imply Amazon endorses, sponsors, or approves the site or its content. Amazon and the site owner are independent — no partnership, no agency.

Health, Supplements & Mental Health

I'm a retired deputy sheriff and firearms instructor — not a doctor, not a pharmacist, not a dietitian. Nothing on this site is medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

When I write about joint care, supplements, or anything you put in your body, I'm sharing my personal experience and what I've learned from research — not prescribing anything. Supplements affect everyone differently, can interact with medications and medical conditions, and are not a substitute for professional care. Talk to your own doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement, medication, or health routine — especially if you manage diabetes, heart issues, or any chronic condition.

I don't claim any product diagnoses, treats, cures, or prevents any disease.

Some articles here talk honestly about the emotional toll of police work — trauma, stress, and the things officers carry home. I write from 18 years of lived experience, not as a mental-health professional. Reading about it isn't therapy, and this site doesn't provide counseling or crisis services.

If you're in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (U.S. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) right now — it's free, confidential, and available 24/7. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911. Reaching out is not weakness; it's the strongest move you can make.

Firearms Safety

Firearms are dangerous. Everything on this site about firearms, gear, or tactics is information and personal experience — it is not a substitute for hands-on training with a qualified instructor, and reading an article does not make anyone qualified to handle a firearm.

The four rules, always:
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
- Never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target and you have made the decision to shoot.
- Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

I'm a certified firearms instructor speaking from 18 years on the job, but I'm not your instructor and I don't know your skill level, your firearm, or your situation. Get professional, in-person training before handling firearms, and follow the safety rules of your range and agency.

Gun laws differ by state, county, and city — what's legal in one place may be a felony in another. Nothing here is legal advice. Verify every law yourself with official sources or a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction before buying, carrying, transporting, or modifying any firearm or accessory.