College SHTF

I'm thinking that ROTC was kicked-off many college campuses, especially those in the northeast and on the west coast, years ago. Assuming that there is a ROTC program in the Boston area, you can take 2 years of training without being obligated to serve in the military, I did!

 

Buy him an extended gas tank that can carry 70 gallons at most if he has a small car. That way he can travel with another person and some supplies without over-weighing it. That should be enough for a car to go about 1,000 miles without stopping.
If he's traveling alone, you could get him 100 gallons of gas storage (jerry cans), but assume that he'll bring a girlfriend with him.

 

or a boyfriend.

 

in regard to bugging in instead of heading out home to TX >>> one of the reasons for bugging out might just be the college closure - in particular the winter semester >>>> colleges and most multi-building institution types are linked by a central heating plant - not at all unusual that the plant boiler overall temp is reduced for the Christmas/Easter period and dorms closed - for some SHTFs you can expect a complete heat failure >>> unless there's an off campus BOL in the planning - I wouldn't be planning for a college bug in .....

other campus closing possibilities >>> pandemic - COVID closed some colleges because of complete dorm contamination and rampant disease spread >>>> colleges can also be the center of revolt & rioting - the US has never seen the military level of containment like other countries ....

 

Guess this adds the additional question of will he be living on or off campus. This would have not only the issues listed above, but would possibly affect ability to store prep items (or limited storage) and maybe even bring transportation issues (when I lived on a small campus we weren't allowed private vehicles)

-JW

 

That is correct: It is wise to examine the terms and conditions of the enlistment contract before signing one's life away. Apparently some of the ROTC training modules count as college credits, so there is that also.

 

Chello surely is the diversity, inclusive type here

Yep ,, and as mentioned before ,, if the lad could prep for SHTF ,, if he could have a vehicle,, he'd best have a good compact , weatherproof gun case he could keep his/her bang stick and ammo safe and fresh .

 

Yes! You're right. Thank you for this correction. I need to get caught up with the times here!

 

That's OK Alanaana, was just stirring the culture wars warriors here...not your good self

 

When I entered college 2 years of ROTC was no longer a requirement for male students. The Army had to change the program in order to attract students. Gone were the days when my uncle had to wear an ugly Class-A uniform and learn close-order drill and the manual of arms. We were issued BDUs and combat boots, we learned rappelling, marksmanship, war-gaming, we rode in a duce-and-a-half trucks to the range and fired M-16 rifles and M-60 machine guns, we fired modified mortars, and it was FUN! All kinds of students took ROTC, rich kids and poor kids, fraternity guys, sorority girls, nerds and jocks...it was cool! Twice a year Huey helicopters landed on the athletic field and gave rides to any student willing, and there was a display of military vehicles and weapons systems on campus. I was Military Science cadet of the month once, I was able to go on a couple of weekend maneuvers/war games with other ROTC students and the National Guard, and one summer I took the Infantry weapons course where I got to handle firing and non-firing weapons. Like me, 99.99% of those students never entered the military, but we all remember our "days in uniform" fondly and support the military today!

 

That was a LOT more fun than my year in the Civil Air Patrol. Though I did do my first hitch in the Airforce. Went Navy for my second hitch and enjoyed it much more.

 

@chelloveck Thanks! I actually got a good giggle out of it since the college that I went to was so liberal that the teachers had us bring name tag signs to class that had the preferred pronouns.

 

Yep ,, everyone has a purpose ,,,,

 

My purpose in life is to serve as a Bad Example

 

That is so thoughtful. US tertiary education has come a long way since the days when a College education was virtually the exclusive province of white cisgender males.

 

You may be succeeding

 

Is it reasonable to just identify as a "white male " ,,, I was ,, and am ,, a " white male " probably 55 + yrs before these gender confused folks was around ,,, why can't they label themselves,, without re-labeling me. I haven't changed ,, they did .

No disrespect intended ,, I know you like fluffing the feathers ,,, just wondering why I have to have my labels changed ,, just because they haven't figured out theirs .

 

Really, can we get back to the part where the Dad has to say goodbye to his son and hope he makes it out alive during the east coast purge?

 

If I had to bet REAL money, I'd have to bet that in the event of a SHTF situation they would never see each other again this side of the Pearly Gates...a thousand miles is a loooong way! Hell, a hundred miles is a long way!

 

Does he have a vehicle with him? What kind of vehicle? Some have the option of getting extended range fuel tanks installed. Does he bike? Also a good road bike with a good comprehensive repair kit would help too. I agree with the guys that it would be a very tough putt unless he was very quick to recognize the situation and start for home quickly before many others realized what was going on. Does he have some emergency cash and maybe some emergency silver and possibly a small gold coin hidden at school with him? Is he responsible and capable enough of making this solo trip himself? Does he have a prepper mindset? My son goes to school 3.5 hour drive from home. We have most everything for him except the extended range vehicle. We have those at home easily capable of driving to get him and make in home without refueling. We have set routes for him to take too and from school. Normal route and emergency route. That way if he was stuck along the route we will have a general idea of where to find him. He has a small emergency bug out bag in his car. Bike carriers are cheap even for smaller cars. Otherwise fold up bikes are available. Ok for emergencies as a last ditch effort but harder to ride distance on than regular road bikes. You could even get creative with small portable assist electric motors and roll up solar panels. Anything to attempt to make the journey easier will improve his odds of making it home. The better shape he is in will also improve his odds. If he lives on campus in dorms he cannot have a fire arm but if he lives off campus in an apartment that might be a possibility as well. A small survival rifle and 1000 rounds of .22lr is better than nothing and a small 9mm handgun once he is old enough to have it and get his concealed carry. I say 9mm because they are usually lighter with lighter ammo and the ammo is everywhere. Same goes for .22lr.