What is your role in a Group? What is your spouse role?

[monkeybird]

How do you see your role in a group. What about your spouse?

I know I'll be setting up a clinic for illness and injury. My husband is incapable of much physical activity, but if you need some engineering, he's the one to go to.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Security, trainer, hunter/gatherer, general worker -my spouse, homesteading, general care

[1Admin]

Great start to a thread MB!

It's kinda like what JFK said "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." Interesting that the dems seemed to have forgotten that slogan over time :) Anyways.

The same should be applied to a group setting. YOU have to be valuable to a group. Just another person to stand guard duty and perhaps dig ditches isn't overly valuable to an established group.

One of my other jobs is in marketing. Part of that is finding/seeing a need a company has even they have not yet seen it, showing it to them and helping them solve it. Basic salesmanship really.

What MB just posted was perfect- "

I know I'll be setting up a clinic for illness and injury."

Not "well you know I used to be a medic"- SEE a need, FILL that need, be valuable and worthwhile to a group.

Everyone wants to be the "hired security guy" -another throwback from survival fiction stories. Yet in reality who is going to "hire" you, how will you be paid, and of course we always have that whole "trust" issue to overcome ("Who are you again? Oh that's right your the guy that supposedly walked here from Montana, was in ROTC, has no local references or contacts and we are supposed to trust you with our security secrets? WELL SURE COME RIGHT IN!!" Yeah right)

It's also not just the skill you have but the ABILITY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. I'll use MB's example of a clinic.

Every "specialty" like medicine requires a certain amount of SPECIALIZED TOOLS. Can you sometimes make do without those "specialized tools" for your job? Yes sometimes. I can beat an AK apart with a rock and a cartridge, but is that gonna impress the heck out of the person I'm doing the job for? Probably not. Ever sutured in a dirty filthy environment without antibiotics, gloves or hemos? It can be done but it will be more dangerous for you and the patient.

So when you are selling yourself to a group, you should make sure you have the tools necessary for your job. Now, that does not mean that you have to provide all the SUPPLIES for your job, but the TOOLS necessary to do your part of the job.

We'll make an example- every group member should have a decent stock of medical items, most especially the highly expendable ones- 4x4's, tape, prep pads, etc.

So it's the PAW + 6 months. I get a bad cut from whatever. My doc is helping me take care of it. It would be most helpful for me to provide the betadine, 4x4's, tape, etc. I may not have the hemostats, sutures, etc. but anyone could get together the expendable items.

Now instead of putting the doc out for his skills PLUS tapping into HIS personal med supplies I am just asking him to do his job, what he is in the group FOR.

If for whatever reason I have no supplies to put towards it (expendables listed above) then I should "hook him up" in some way- maybe cut some wood for his cabin for him, keep him in fresh veggies for a week or so, pass 200 rounds his way, etc.

Kinda got off on a tangent, sorry......

In order to sell yourself, you have to first make yourself MARKETABLE. Why would a group WANT you?

A. Because I'm super awesome, just ask me and I'll tell you, I never learn anything new, I play a lot of video games, have no practical skills and am out of shape. I'm all about cutting corners, keeping things easy on myself and I'm very "me centered."

or

B. I've been working on expanding my skill base, I've been working on getting in shape, I have the specialized tools necessary for my job and making myself valuable to the group. My family is involved in my preparedness with more than just words. I have a cooperative spirit and a helping nature.

If it was the corporate world, "A" would probably hear "don't call us, we won't call you.." LOL

[Rmplstlskn]

Interesting takeoff to the GROUP thread... Good idea...

My "make a living" skill is computers & networks, but i don't see that being too in demand come PAW +6 months (LOL!), but I do have the skills and quality tools needed to make electronic and electrical repairs on equipment. I also have keen skills in "getting stuff to work or fabricated."

I see my role in a group/community as LAYERED: main layer is repairman/builder/fabricator/designer/farmer/worker and I have the knowledge, quality tools and equipment to support those roles. I understand and study fortifications, ballistic protection, and nuclear shelter building & design. The second layer would be organizer/strategist/analyst & communications, helping those in leadership & security build and secure QUICKLY and effectively. My delegation and organization skills would play a role in this. My understanding of crytography would assist in SECURE communications. Third layer would be "community security" as a guard, sentry, or patrol. Right now, I do not have the physical conditioning to do what Army Rangers or an Infantry Soldier would do for outside the perimeter patrols, but I am working on it and I hope by the time PAW ever comes about, that mission could also be done effectively. I have the HEAD KNOWLEDGE but too overweight to be a true LRRP Operator. Otherwise, someone has to guard the fort, so to speak... I have more than enough gear, weapons, ammo, etc... to support that role, or as I lose weight and build conditioning, the equipment needed for patrols. I do lack NV technology at this time, but hope to remedy that soon as income from my new job builds our financial status back to normal.

My wife is in the medical field and would assist in the Infirmary. We have a good supply of medical gear and disposables, more than a family in good health and no injuries would require, to include hard to find DECON and Respirator (gas mask) supplies. I too have skills in building an infirmary and DECON facilities, and understand ABC, MOPP and quarantine procedures. My wife would also assist in child care, education, and other support tasks.

My daughter is now 7 but would assist with younger children, as well as community tasks.

Rmpl

[protus]

jack of all trades....master of none..... LOL

( ive done construction all my life, and been doing service work for 10 yrs now) due to other skills..im pretty good with tools be it with auto's,homes,boats or ( insert anything you want) . I hunt , i fish better than i hunt, i can track..shoot, gut,dress,bucther and cook anything with fur.......and make it taste good.

my wife fills in my gaps,( i cant bake that good ..or make certain foods....she's braver than I am around medical stuff....or bee's .yeah im openly admitting im a wimp...)

[arcangel911]

My role will probably be the medical, gardening, handyman and whatever else comes into play. I am pretty decent at cooking so that part is covered as well.

Since I am single, I do not have a wife on board with me. Perhaps I will find one after SHTF....

[WiseOwl]

I am very valuable in the fields of gardening, soil amendment, harvesting; creative thinking and problem solving; building and construction, I backpack hike and know a lot about the woods, I know some automotive meaning how to diagnose and how to repair--some but more than most, Map reading and making, great under pressure ( dont know about a "war" because I have never been a firefight but good in a fist fight) negotiations ( I am a regional sales manager for Nascar), I have some skill in tracking ( I track animals for fun to learn), security and OP/LP, evasion and camo; I am great at rallying people, counseling, lightning the mood, and making people laugh, I am a hard worker and a fast learner. I am very logical and have always been a leader in everything I have ever done. I know for a fact I would be a great asset to a group, I am to my own group now.



Things I need help and/or training in.....Better shooter ( I don't get to the range as much as I'd like to), gun repair and maintenance, First Aid, Canning, Hunting/ Cleaning Animals, A lil better shape ( I am 29 and about 20 lbs overweight but dammit I eat good), tactical and strategic maneuvering, older engine and diesel repairs,

My wife can cook, bake and is a teacher. She also is a critical thinker and one that is in tune with "logic"
'

[Bull]

Jack of all trades. Grew up doing a lot of construction and continued with that and mechanical/ electrical work throughout adulthood. I have worked a good bit with fiberglass, metal, to include welding and machining, wood, electrical and electronics(some), engines, especially diesels, and pretty much anything on vehicles. I'm pretty inventive, and generally interested in a lot of different things, so combine a large foundation of knowledge and understanding of a wide range of stuff, with a desire and ability to learn anything new quickly, plus a strong work ethic and good mental and physical ability, and I guess I'm pretty well rounded. I cook well, with a variety of different foods. Have gone through CPR and first aid(various degrees of depth) numerous times, as required by the USCG, and other employers. 3 1/2 years L/E in the U.S. Coast Guard. I fish and am am very comfortable outdoors and in the wilderness. I'm usually making pretty much everyone at work and home laugh regularly, and can get along with folks pretty well. My maybe future wife can do a whole bunch as well, and she is very interested in medical, and wants to go to nursing school, so that could definitely be beneficial when she gets through. That is an area I am really interested in improving myself, so it would be great to have her fill that gap or supplement it.
I think I could help in a lot of areas and fall into place and adapt well where needed, depending on how a group came together.

[rockriver]

this is a great thread.
i'm overweight, but i really appreciate other folks doing things for me. the government could do more if they would... they've got the money.
i get along well with others, but i don't like it when people whisper when i use my gov't card and get all the expensive cuts of meat at grocery store. the stores should let me use my card for cigarettes too. it's none of their business if i smoke. the idea of "prepping" is awesome. i hope everyone does. there are so many of us that, well we just can't right now. it's not my fault. my ride gets even worse gas mileage since
i put the new wheels on. but wow it sure is cool. i added the ground effects, lights and all the children can watch their own dvd when we ride.
the paint job was only 5000, but wow, you ought to see how people stare when i go down the road. it changes colors depending on how the sun hits it! i had to rent the wheels. but they were only 115/month. with these kind of expenses, i'm glad to know some religious folks. i'm sure they'll share when i take some of my crew by to ask for some food. as long as they give me some gas, i'll let them ride in my suburban.
i know better than to push it hard.. with 219,000 miles the engine puts out a dark cloud, and it gets on the paint job.
i could be a good salesman, but my disability check is pretty good, so there's no need to do that. i had to get a lawyer to get the ssi to pay what they owed me. i can tell others in the group how to get them a check too. someday i'm gonna get a gun and some bullets. most of crew already have one. one thing i can do to help, is i can tell the group people who have more food than they need. we have a good place. it's on the third floor. so we can see out good. our rent is only 45/month because we got on the program. i'm thinking about getting me a tent. or one of those special plastic things protus has. they look cool. i learn a lot on here. if yall would send me your addresses and phone numbers so i'd now how to get to your place, it would help if the shtf. i need to put one of those little pictures of a smilie face right here, but i don't how.

[Lowdown3]

Good one RR!! LMAO

[SCinPNW]

That is very funny Rockriver!

My role will be in the kitchen or wherever the cooking is taking place. I can make anything from scratch and have multiple solutions for cooking that I test periodically. I will also be the lady with the "goto" library. I have lots of books on how to do stuff, now I just need to try and learn the skills. It is definitely a challenge balancing day to day life with learning the new skills I will need when TSHTF.

My husband currently works in the software industry, however, after TSHTF there will not be a big demand for that. He is very smart and seems to know a little about alot of things so I seem him as helping out where ever is needed.

SC

[Cimarron]

I have a level 90 farm in farmville.

:D

[trkarl]

A question I have pondered for a long while. Here is my situation at my aop:

Think of my neighborhood as a square. It is completely surrounded by canals on all sides except the nw corner which from the end of the north canal (runs e - w) to the side of the west canal ( which runs n - s) is maybe an 1/8 mile. The w, s, and e are only accessible by bridges. The w and e are 2 lane and the s is 4 lane. All could easily be blocked and guarded and motes could be dug to connect the nw corner except for one road.

Now in a long term grid down situation I am set up pretty good. But that is just me. My house is fully functional off grid with a 4kw solar array. Most people have gennys after the hurricanes of '04 and '05 so short term would be no problem. I have 2 gennys. A honda eu2000i and a 6kw diesel. Also have around 40 gallons gas and 160 gallons diesel at all times.

Here's a tip for everyone wanting to get a genny. Most people have a cheap gas genny so if you get a diesel you won't have people wanting to borrow your fuel because it won't work.

The problem is after a while it will be known that I have the only reliable power source in the neighborhood so I would be the one who would supply the water and some power. By default I would end up being one of the "leaders".

I also grow a substantial amount of food in my backyard garden and have several years worth of fertilizers stored up and a lot of seed so I would be able to organize a limited amount of food production.

My wife is a nurse practitioner so she would be one of the medical experts in the neighborhood.

Our "neighborhood" boxed in by the canals is approximately a little less than one square mile. A few people have small gardens so I know they at least try. A couple of people I know which have some skills would also be naturally leaders. After a while it would become apparent who has what and who doesn't really have anything The base would no doubt be my house since no one else would have power after a while. I guess my job would be to keep the power flowing and water pumping and organizing and inventorying what resources everyone had. Also be in charge growing and organizing the growing of as much food as we could.

Setting up the security perimeter for the bridges and one road would have to fall to someone else. Of course the people who were formerly sheeple would now fall into the grunt position. They would have to be the ones doing most of the manual labor like digging the moat for the nw section and any other stuff that needed to be done. Mainly because they would be hungry and in order to eat they would have to do the "dirty" work. I'm not saying I would be above that because I would be out there sweating my butt off like everyone else.

Even though it is only a remote possibility to have a long term grid down situation, just thinking about it makes me shudder. For myself and wife we are set up fine with preps etc. It's the rest of my default "clan" that is the problem. I can see I really need to stock more basics especially in the beans and rice category. I try to be friends with as many people as possible and help them out when I can but most don't want to be bothered. And for opsec reasons I don't push the issue. I surely don't want to be thought of as one of those "militia" types that the police need to keep an eye on.

I haven't had good experiences when trying to discuss a group formation. One example I had:
Our local 9/12 group has a "Meeting as the Winery" night almost every sat night where they discuss politics like the ff's did before the constitution was drafted. Well I went once and was sitting by myself listening to one small group of guys talking about tshtf and what would they do. They asked me to join them.

I listened as they described their "preps" and began to ask questions. One guy had a "seed bank". I asked has he ever grown anything and did he try the seeds? No. So how do you know it would grow? I don't know. We talked about water. One guy had a well and a genny but said his genny would not power his well. I asked how does this help him to get water? He just looked at me funny.
So i started discussing my power preps ( I did not tell them where I lived or my full name) and how we may start a group. Soon the conversation got to where they would set far off in a field and take pot shots at my panels. I'm like WTF? We need to help each other here not destroy each other. Any ways I never went back. So I don't say anything anymore.

[WiseOwl]

I want Cimarron and Rock River with me