Several years ago I had the pleasure of being invited by SeaCowboy after a short stint together on a job in the middle of the Gulf. I was intrigued by his knowledge and clean thought process of concerns that we shared. I joined the site and became a contributing member both financially and by conversations and experiences. I was hard at it working building a company that was doing very well making sure that I provided a stable income and opportunity for my parents, my siblings and their family. Through many ups and downs I found myself surrounded by individuals who were very comfortable in living life without worry. I was always picked on and laughed at for investing in supplies for my family. I let myself get distracted and got away from this great site and the well respected individuals here and i could kick myself in the arse because I knew this would happen, i knew it would only be a matter of time and not IF but WHEN. I am now surrounded by a LARGE group (50 including women and children) of individuals who have different abilities to offer, some provide good proven leadership. I currently have them in three sectors. 1 Elderly but knowledgeable skill on planting and preservation. 2 Limited physical ability but financially, supplies and resources. 3 Physically able but no experience and little to no resources. Innocent (children) I have a lot of resources compared to their some. I have enough to plant corn and potatoes for a small community but how do i proceed. They are just now sitting down with their spouses having serious discussions about what things may be like and what to expect. I picked up a pallet of fertilizer today and had three of them ask me to pick up chicks if they had any, they are sold out along with all the started vegetable plants and preferred corn varieties. I have items needed for security day or night, i am fortunate that a couple are former military and may bring some well appreciated skills to the table. I am faced with working out a plan to bring people to the table and then work to allocate their skill sets. This will not be a negotiation. This is no time for personal differences. I'm questioning my pre-prepared plan. I have some who can produce and some that cannot. This will have to be a group effort, dictated in a manner that is constructive and productive. I am surrounded by folks who live in a rural community with acreage but no preps. any suggestions or resources will be greatly appreciated.
I take it that you are about to set up a farm or something similar. It might be helpful if we knew what the enterprise is to be. Now, get the senior ex Marine you have on board, and give him the responsibility to get the ground prepared.
I will suggest you lay out the plans you have so we can get an idea of the feasibility of how you see things.
What ever else you do, make sure you gots Good Comms, for your Group... being in communication with the varied endeavors, will facilitate the accomplishments of each sub-group, especially when they are off-site... or widely separated.... Much better to have it, and not need it, than to need it, and not have it... Two is one, & One is None....
I will layout some not all. Food is currently not an issue for a number of months for 50-70 depending on allocation of portion size (workers get more). I have enough fertilizer and lime to last a year or more. I have enough cattle to last a year and one neighbor has 30 chickens producing 2 dozen eggs a day and is very helpful on my ranch as well. He like a bull and will need to be fed accordingly. I have enough seed to plant 6 acres of just corn and potatoes that will yield truckloads. Water is not an issue due to 4 current courses 5 with the pool. Security supplies are stocked, radios check, med packs check, reloading supplies and equipment check, etc. I’m thinking of this as a dictatorship tasking my youngest marine as commander and laying out plans from there. There is little room for debating directives once orders have been given. My house my rules sorta thing. My biggest concern is the mass hysteria being that we live in a high poverty town. I live on the outskirts far enough that there is no immediate danger and I’m off the side road 1/4 mile I have the ability to shut down roads leading in with concrete barricades. I have a number of elderly living in our proximity that won’t be able to contribute much if any at all maybe knowledge or guidance.
So you have a complete inventory and a Chain of Command planned. Any OP planned or completed? Plans for a Village center and a full layout such as Out Houses and drainage? Do you have any Mil Spec Special Forces Manuals etc?
Give them the link to the very useful resource that you posted to the site.... What should I do? also give them the links to the resources archive. Resources | Survival Monkey Forums It seems that your community is looking for leadership and guidance. Provide it, and identify others in your community to provide it....both ex military and civilians. Develop your team along the lines of an A Team, but modified to a civilian context. You don't need to carry the weight of whole show on your own shoulders. 1.x Team leader 1.x Team XO 1 x Team self defence and security leader 1 x Team medic and 1.x Team Food production leader 1.x Team utilities and infrastructure development and maintenance leader 1 x Team medic and community health leader 1.x Team communications leader. (Ham / 2 way radio /smoke signals too ) 1 x Team training and education leader Some individuals may end up wearing two or more hats, but may themselves share their load with assistants / deputies. Give them a vision of what they might achieve through cooperative effort, and give every one (including children, the elderly and the infirm) some kind of purposeful task/s to perform for the benefit of themselves, their families and their community. @Pineknot While I respect the notion that Marines are generally a cut above other US military services, allocate roles and tasks on demonstrated competency rather than simply seniority in the Corps (or any other service). It doesn't necessarily follow that all 50 will be in the one location at the one time. There are technical ways and means for keeping all informed and involved without everyone squeezing into the same space to discuss issues of common concern. Wifi network / LAN etc may achieve the purpose of maintaining appropriate social distance, and yet keeping the group engaged in individual / family and community self sufficiency projects.
Don't underestimate the elderly. They can be a valuable resource beyond guidance and knowledge. Be creative.
F For sure the elders will be the advisors for sure. The Marine is also a proven leader both on and off. Everyone in theory will remain in their own locations. Communication will allow us to make sure everyone is informed and up to date.
Assign the team towards their strengths and interest. Those with gardening interest may have little knowledge, but will work hard to learn. Those with interest in security need to be vetted a little tighter... can they physically perform the role and perform as needed. Others can cook, clean, heard the children and teach, and so on. Use the people towards their strengths.... keep rules tight and security focused on preservation.
Like every one else, my kids drive me nuts, but I love them and they will always be my kids. I am afraid that this time it will be time to circle the wagons and make sure they are warm and fed. I have already made it clear that they are welcome home, but my savings are not going to be used to make the payments on their houses and cars, credit cards, etc. I do not feed dead horses and told them that they were getting in over their heads with all of the new toys. Hard part is trying to make them see that if they can't make the payments this month, what will change for next month. A lot of the second jobs, gigs, office, retail, home health aids, child care, can and will disappear if this panic and shelter in place continues. I don't see a lot of them coming back soon either. I hope that they realize that chili with out meat, beans and rice, and a lot of oatmeal are the new norm. That PhD sheepskin in woman's studies might be more useful recycled into onto the head of a banjo. YMMV
