Operational Security & Wolves In Sheep's Clothing

A side conversation popped up in another thread when I noticed a pic with a self described "wolf" that pretends to be a Prepper/Survivalist. I thought I would share it as a separate thread for those that may have not seen it previously and open a dialog on the matter of personal safety.

National Geographic’s ‘Doomsday Preppers’ visits Buckley survivalist group | Entertainment | The Olympian

We all are concerned with our operational security due to the fact that any lack of it, can jeopardize the safety of ones family, prep's and those around them that are part of the "team". I watched this episode out of curiosity knowing a local guy was on the show. What I found out while watching and as discussed in the article above, was he and the group he belongs to, are not friend, but the wolf we discuss often. His plan for survival includes taking out fellow preppers to gain their supplies. Now I will say that he was an overweight moron in my book, and even stupid for being on a show like that, but his friends may be organized and provide a lethal foe...who knows. But to our benefit and the rest of the prepper community, he raised the awareness that not all are "Friend"... but some may indeed be a threat to our survival. We all need to be aware of these type of folks in our AO as they are a threat. Have you minded the Opsec rules, keeping your details anonymous... and have you recently evaluated your risk? Have you reached out to various local groups on the sly to see who they are and what they are about for intelligence purposes. Where would a wolf pack such as these yahoo's find their targets for takeover of supplies. Well I suggest it would be sites just like our beloved Monkey that they would troll to find and map local people in their area. And that reminds all of us to mind our P's and Q's with our details.

I for one now have an interest in this particular individual and his associates after watching this show, since he is essentially in my backyard. Recently I was contacted by a noob Monkey in his area (Buckley), wondering exactly where I was at... and my short response was "nearby". Now if you look at the fact that this guy has approximately 80 associates in the "group" what are the chances that one may be lurking on this site, probably pretty good I suppose. Now expand that to similar groups across the country and it makes it personal to each and everyone of us. One should know all the threats you may encounter..... this is another one of them.
YD

 

It is a concern we have discussed for sure!! One can easily leave enough crumbs out there to have your trail found.

 

As a side note thanks to @Silversnake that posted the pic...and primed the thought to post this thread.

 

The bigger context that I hoped to gain from this thread is an alert for those that may have never thought of the wolf being just down the street, it is not just the .gov you have to watch out for... in general, it is your fellow man with ill intent towards others. Situational awareness includes many facets of your security: what is going on locally; who knows your SHTF plans; who knows what you have and where it is; has anyone unusual been asking questions; what groups counter to your lifestyle are residing in the area and what do you know of their capability and so on. It is not being paranoid, as your security hinges on your anonymity. There are those always looking to exploit what they can. When you let your guard down and open up to where you are specifically, how you prepare and where your BI or BOL is, there can be someone writing it all down for future use. Do you vet folks you get close to on the internet before you share to much? Those are just questions to ponder and if you don't do things right, maybe you should make some changes.... that is all I am asking.

I for one think about this often and have had some discussions with other folks about what we tell in our post, without thinking we are saying much. Take a little time and go back thru your history of post, make a list of to what you have disclosed in terms of supplies-arms- food and so on, how you are set up, and your plans are if things collapsed. Bet you could put a good picture together of you as a prepper.... someone else out there could potentially have done the same research and have that same picture. Then they put a mark on the map for your location referencing a file number for quick reference to what you have.... then they show up on your door step when they need it. It is that easy if one is motivated to do such a thing...which is exactly what the Spartan Group claims is their survival plan. I can tell you that I go back and delete/edit some post just because I feel I said to much the night before...

Am I worried about one man such as Mr Smith, not a chance. What concerns me is the folks I do not know, that are associated with him or have similar plans with their own affiliates. In a supposed 80 man group, all you need is a few well trained folks that can train the rest... and wreak havoc, enough to make it a bad day for you or others.
YMMV

 

As a reference to what @Silversnake was mentioning above. Another such predator (cult) type of group. Located in Yelm...Centeral, WA.
J. Z. Knight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ramtha's School of Enlightenment

 

The Ramtha Folks are well known by the Thurston County Sheriff and the local Deputy. I remember when they moved into the area, and bought up the Land, their "compound" is located on. The locals went a bit off the deep end for a while, and the Ramthan's hired a Security Outfit, to stand between them and the Town Folks, for a few years. After a few Scandals, Lawsuits among the Principals, they have mostly settled down to being "Quiet Neighbors" with none of the FLOWING CASH that was around decades ago. It is also to be noted, that the Old Time Locals are "Old School Farmer" types, and likely have as many Weapons and Firearms, as our Well Armed Monkeys. I grew up in this area, having spent the Weekends on my Godfathers QuarterSection Farm, up on Fennel Road, in the Bald Hills. Still remember going to a High School Dance with the bulk of the Yelm Tornado's... Those Farm Girls were very nice Young Ladies..... ......

 

When I lived in the Seattle area, I was very OPSEC concerned, as were my parents when I was growing up. Father never let on what he had in the way of Preps, stored in the SafeRoom built into the house. We were always schooled, that it was Family Business, and not anyone else's business. All my children were brought up in that same way. Now that I live so far from the FlatLands, I am much less concerned with you'all knowing where I live, or the basics of our local Preps. I wouldn't be worth while for anyone to try and come all the way out here, just to Die, trying to take my stuff. These are the FACTS of the matter, plain and simple. I understand that my situation in most unique, and very unusual. ....