Prepper Team Qualifications?

[u/ElevatorGrand9853]

I’m bored at work and had an idea, let’s discuss.

So let’s say you want to put together a serious team of preppers, not a full on militia and not just your average group of neighbors, something in between. I imagine this being a fairly realistic scenario where you want to build a group that is on board with prepping and takes it seriously but being associated with them doesn’t necessarily put you on a government watchlist. A team like this would perhaps help you secure your neighborhood during civil unrest, maybe help clear debris after a natural disaster, or even just help share resources during a troubling time.

What “minimum qualifications” would you expect somebody to hold before they join this team of yours?

Here is my list so far, let me know what you think.

CCW License: Depending on your state this could mean a lot or a little. In my state, a person interested in joining my team who has a CCW license would prove that they aren’t a criminal, can pass a basic background check, and likely share similar values in regards to self defense as me and the rest of my hypothetical team. I’m not looking for absolute weapon mastery or proficiency at this stage, because in theory that is something a good prepper team would practice together.

First Aid/CPR Certification: Very low bar, if they haven’t or aren’t willing to take an 8 hour AHA or Red Cross training that has a good chance of being used in the real world regardless of doomsday they they probably aren’t willing to pursue more advanced training that I would want my team to have.

Radio License: If my team were to have a comms plan using either HAM or GMRS radios I would want the person applying to already have that type of license. It isn’t hard to get either and having it before joining the team proves that they are willing to play ball with the team policies and procedures. Also shows that they are investing time in the training, which is in my opinion more important than simply just having the gear.

Be Able to Pass a Basic Fitness Test: Something realistic and relevant, perhaps being able to hike three miles in an hour while carrying a load or something similar. I’m not looking for Navy SEALs but I do want people who take their health seriously and won’t have a heart attack during civil unrest.

What do you think? What would you add or take away?

[u/schannoman]

Or, now hear me out: you work with your entire community to be better prepared as a whole.

Because let's be honest, you aren't going to survive on your own

[u/ElevatorGrand9853 → u/schannoman]

100% agree, this hypothetical team doesn’t make getting to know your neighbors irrelevant. That would still be my number one priority when developing a network of support.

I think this team would be a step up from that though to accomplish things in a more organized way. I have a lot of older neighbors who aren’t physically capable of doing some things that would be necessary in most prepping scenarios. I also have a lot of neighbors who likely have no interest in prepping. So while my relationship is important with them, they can’t do what this group would do.

Idk, like I said I’m bored at work so I’m just brain storming stuff here haha

[u/schannoman → u/ElevatorGrand9853]

That sounds like military cosplay with extra steps

[u/ElevatorGrand9853 → u/schannoman]

Fair enough

[u/necchi → u/ElevatorGrand9853]

So in an emergency, what would you do with the less capable folks? Abandon them? Even if they weren’t friends or family, this is running into eugenics/ableist territory

[u/ElevatorGrand9853 → u/necchi]

Not at all, quite the opposite. Having a preorganized team of capable folks who train together I think would be a great resource to help those less capable and in need.

Natural disaster takes place in your area? Organize with your team to go check on meemaw and provide assistance while professional responders handle real emergencies. If meemaws power went out and she has no way of cooking or keeping her meds cool, you and your team could organize a way to offer her help and provide resources to her. This way she doesn’t become a preventable, secondary casualty in a situation where first responders may be overwhelmed. Similar to CERT I suppose, but not being tied to a FD or PD may be desirable depending on what you’re prepping for

[u/KhakiPantsJake]

What do you mean by team?

Generally speaking being friends with your neighbors/community and having a basic comms plan along with knowing each others skillset/strengths/resources/etc would be more beneficial in most emergencies than trying to maintain some sort of gate-kept team.

I have neighbors who are medical professionals, general contractors, farmers, teachers, etc. and I'm not gonna be asking them how many pull ups they can do or how fast their bill drill is when we need each other's help. 2/3 of your examples have happened here and we helped each other through it just fine.

[u/ElevatorGrand9853 → u/KhakiPantsJake]

Fair enough.

Maybe this list would better serve as a checklist of things for you to recommend your community work towards rather than a gate keeping thing like you said. Surely it would be better if everybody in the community had a basic first aid training under their belt.

If you are concerned about civil unrest or high crime areas, encouraging your friends and neighbors to obtain a CCW permit and to train with it may help.

Thoughts?

[u/KhakiPantsJake → u/ElevatorGrand9853]

Yeah for sure, it's easy to be intentional with hobbies and inviting your neighbors/friends/families to join you at the range or to a first aid recertification or something. You can give out little gift baskets or whatever on the holidays with power banks or walkie talkies and shit if you're feeling generous.

[u/Many-Health-1673]

Find people you get along with beforehand, because it won't matter what their qualifications are if you can't get along.  

The old adage of a good hunting or camp partner goes well in this situation - you can know a person for years, but you never truly know them until you go hunting or camping with them. A good partner shares the workload, handles weapons safely, matches your physical fitness, mental toughness, and shares mutual ethics.  However, the comforts of modern civilization hide people's flaws, while hard times strip those comforts away. A few days in the woods will show person’s true colors.   

A lazy person won't share chores equally.  Self centered people are selfish.  Cheap people refuse to split the cost of supplies.  

Find personalities that mesh with yours, then form your group.  Once you have a rough working group you can promote whatever training you want that fits the group.  

[u/ElevatorGrand9853 → u/Many-Health-1673]

I like this

[u/MentalEggplant9275]

Not being a cunt and have a heartfelt understanding of “we over me.”

[u/Big-Tutor-3060]

All of God's critters have a place in the choir, some sing low, some sing higher, some just clap their hands, or paws, or anything they've got.

If you're willing to recognize the problem and do something to be prepared, it's enough for me. Abuela can make soup, the kids can gather sticks for firewood, able bodied folks can clear trees, you don't need to be some some Delta Farce special-ed forces to be prepared. "Team Policy and procedures" makes you sound like a lame discord mod or the worst type of person to run an HOA.

You sound like you're preparing to get shot. The chances "Civil unrest" is going to wander in to your random suburban town where it's a 30-45 minute walk to the nearest grocery store is near zero. No one needs to be worried about coms plans and CCW permits when you're defensive line is SW 12th Place, Cape Coral Florida. You need to be prepared for a minimum 72 hour service disruption, and generally a month before the lights come back on.