Majorly Supplied: Retired Military Man Sells Surplus
Writer / Matt Keating
Photography / Provided
Mike Cissna, a retired major, says he is happy he opened his business, Major Mikes Military Surplus, in a building that looks like a castle at 12893 State Road 17, in Culver.
We began buying surplus items back in October of 2020, Cissna says. We originally intended to run the business as an online website, so we began to build inventory. By December 2020, we shifted gears to open a brick-and-mortar store, when we were able to lease the castle.
Major Mikes Military Surplus had a soft opening at the end of February and had their grand opening on March 6.
I became interested in military surplus many years ago, he says. I used to shop at some of the local military surplus stores. I retired from the Indiana Guard Reserve in 2016. This year, I turned 60, and began to think about what I like to do, and where my passions lie looking towards retirement, which led me right to military surplus.
Cissna is a busy man. He also works at other places.
I am a certified occupational therapy assistant, and I currently work three days a week as a therapist, and three days a week in the store, he says. I pastor Sovereign Grace Baptist Church as well, so I am a little diverse.
Cissnas educational background is in theology, occupational therapy and psychology. He enjoys having a lot of different interests, and his jobs suit him well. He also gets a kick out of his stores unique look.
We were looking at another property, and just happened to pass the building when it was for rent, and signed the lease as quickly as we could, Cissna says.
He says the look of the building also suits him well.
I love the exterior of the building, because castles were of course, military strongholds, so to me it says military, Cissna says. The inside of our building is laid out nicely, with products and some history, and we have a veterans honor wall as a thank you to those who served.
Cissna has a wide selection of high-quality merchandise.
We have a good mixture of military surplus both old and new, he says. We have packs, canteens, boots, uniforms, first aid kits, gloves, mess kits, and old pouches and packs from World War I and World War II, just to name a few. We are dealers for Rothco and have some tactical equipment as well.
Major Mikes Military Surplus also has a great selection of camping gear.
We have tents, sleeping bags, camp shovels, camping and survival meals from Ready Wise foods, Cissna says. We have also bug spray, backpack stoves, flashlights and camp showers.
He says that are some of his items are quite popular.
We sell a lot of boots, uniforms, and hats as well as packs and canteens, Cissna says. We also sell a lot of flags and military branch specific items.
Culver residents have been highly supportive of the business, he says.
The local community has been very supportive of our business, Cissna says. Almost daily, someone tells us how glad they are that we have opened this type of business in the community. Our business has really exceeded our expectations and we feel blessed.
He says that the recent craziness of the world inspired more people to stock up on necessary supplies.
I think the periods of uncertainty have caused some people to look at stocking up on certain items for survival prepping, he says. Our 25-year, shelf-life Ready Wise Foods are perfect, and we have different levels that people can get freeze dried foods, which fit into their personal preparedness budget.
Cissna has enjoyed getting to know his customers.
We have a very diverse customer base, he says. We get prior service veterans, campers, hikers, survivalists, single moms, and single dads. We try to keep our pricing affordable and within reason. We invite you to come in and see us!
You can visit Major Mikes Military Surplus and Camping Supplies, 12983 State Road 17, Culver. You can reach them at 574-216-8672 or visit them at www.facebook.com/MajorMikesMilitarySurplus.
