Discussion question: What do you expect out of a group?

[1Admin]

Figured we would start a round of discussion questions.

This one is simple- what would you EXPECT out of a survival group if you joined one?

That should leave the topic WIDE OPEN ;)

[Bull]

The major thing I think, is mutual participation, and effort. I keep trying to talk to my best friend about making some preps, and then every now and then, we can actually get into my reasoning behind the need for them. This is a topic he just isn't into. He feels like there isn't anything he can do about the way the world works, and so if something happens, he'll just deal with it then. We live in Florida, and are familiar with hurricanes. So he is prepped for that, and many other things, but he doesn't have the mindset. He has a generator, gets extra fuel for hurricane season, chain saw, tons of tools, and all kinds of things to help him get by for a variety of situations, but he just thinks, "well that's common sense." So he preps for those kinds of things, but if I mention anything else, such as economical collapse, terrorist attack, or whatever, he feels like that's out of his control. Then he has the attitude of like "save some food for me buddy, I'm gonna come over if something does happen. But I can't be doing all that crap." So it gets pretty frustrating, because hey, I would also like to drive a souped up hot rod, and have a ten thousand dollar Polaris Razor, and on and on, but I'm buying preparation stuff, because it is more important. SO if something does happen, it's like, WTF, I made all the sacrifice and you didn't make any. I know he would still be a great help in the group, for a ton of reasons, but I would EXPECT more participation. Same with my dad, and my brother. They both recognize the threat of a variety of things that may occur, and my dad agrees that we should make some preps. But he doesn't have the same sense of urgency. He is too much like the person who talks about it, and says it would be a good idea to prep, but when it comes down to it, not much ever really gets done. My brother is in a world of his own. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but he is the guy who thinks, if things get that bad, I'll take other peoples stuff. Whereupon I reply, no you won't because you will get shot. People like me, who have anything worth taking, are going to be expecting people like you to show up, and they are going to kill you. The idea is to get ready ourselves, and have everything we need, so that all we have to do is defend it, and proceed with the daily life of trying to survive. But then, I have another really good friend, who is completely on the same page with me. He preps, and has plenty stockpiled, plenty of knowledge, and plenty to bring to the table. I have been looking for land near him, and am ready to move away from everyone, far away from home, in order to live near him, so that we can at least have each other. Pretty small group huh? But that is because he meets my expectations. I think there is more to it than that, but the main thing for me, is that the group, and all members of the group, recognize that they should contribute, and that they work towards having something to bring to the table. Ten mechanics probably wouldn't be as good as one mechanic, one doctor, two farmers, and on and on. So I would expect a more functional group to have a variety of skill sets. And when the time comes, and whenever possible, I think it is good to cross train, and to share your knowledge. That just seems obvious to me. So all in all, I would expect that a group would all see eye to eye in regards to this. That they would all have a clear understanding of the purpose and benefits of a group. And that they would all be willing to participate and put forth the effort, and pull their own weight. I think with that attitude, and that motivation, a group would be able to handle a lot more than one without so much unit cohesion.

[goatlady]

As just mentioned, I would look for the mindset. Everybody would need to be on the same page, so to speak, as to why prep, why work together, and THEN getting it done in a timely manner. Also clear cut lines of communication/command in place BEFORE an incident goes a long way to setting the tone of long term survival. Work out the plans of action for many, many situations in advance cause there may not be time at the happening to "vote" on who does what and even what gets/needs to be done.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

To know what everyones strengths are, roles are and have a well rounded group. To train and prepare together as much as possible without it becoming an every spare minute ordeal but knowing that even when i'm not around the training continues. Trust and a willingness to step outside of their comfort zone and learn new stuff. Be there for each other even before SHTF. Have believers without going over the edge in to tinfoil or hater world. Know that I can trust my family in their care while I'm out longhunting or working etc. Understanding that this is a long term deal because SHTF may or may not happen tommorow or the next day or the.....

Actually I feel that I have something going right now and while we lack a few things we are working on alot and becoming better and closer. It's a relationship and those are never easy as we are people and people are headaches sometimes especially me:)

[Klayton]

You know, I read in an article somewhere a similiar question arise when someone said: what if they bring 10 kids with them?

To which I thought about for a moment, and I would have to say So what? As long as your kids can tend animals, cut fire wood, and such that is one less task I could do while concentrating on security at the beginning of the SHTF. It is funny how city kids are deemed so "useless" in SHTF, well when I was 6 years old I was helping Dad break biscuits off of the hay bails, and kick them down the feed chute, at 8 I was taught how to milk by hand, and given my first .22 for squirrel hunting, at 10 (maybe 11) I was trusted to split wood for the fireplace at I think I was 14 or 15 when I was trusted to use the chainsaw (looking back, I probably wont let my kids do the chainsaw thing, way too dangerous). point is farm kids all across America are pulling their weight, some of our city prepper friends "might" want to start teaching their kids a thing or two.

...just saying...

[xdpatriot]

I think the same mindset, vision and DEDICATION. I have visited with more than a few people who talk about how bad things may get, but they don't and won't prepare. You can' t expect things to just be handed to you when things go wrong. It's not that hard to start prepping, you just have to make an effort, little by little. Prepare, prepare, prepare!

[WiseOwl]

I would like to just find some people of like mindset that are in my area. Seems like a lot of my good friends have an idea, but dont follow through 100%. Being on one income (til next Aug, YAY) I do what I can when I can. I know that if a group was all about gear and money, then I would probably be on the short end of the stick. But, if people were more receptive just to learn, train and plan, then my SKILLS would outweigh my dough.

I honestly just want to have somewhere that I can pitch in/work/help/etc to be able to go to in a time of need. I am not a freeloader by all means, I just want to do whatever I have to do to earn my keep and get "accepted" into a group or at least get one started. With my brother starting to store food and a couple of my friends are building small arsenals, no one else I know even cares. I know by myself with my wife and 2 kids, we are better off than a HUGE percentage. But, how long does my street stay safe? How many of my neighbors are of like-mind? How long before I have to shoot one of said neighbors for trying to "infiltrate my castle"?
I know if the fecal hit the propeller tomorrow, I would hunker down and ride out whatever needed to be ridden. If it could wait til ___________ (all of us would prefer this option) then I could at least be BETTER OFF THAN NOW.......to be honest, come Uncle Sam check this year.....I get 1k to spend on whatever I want to........my list is waaaaay past the margins!

[Grinnan Barrett]

Trust, mutual respect for the rights of the others, cover my back, watch out for each others families, each person carry their own weight, BUY IN not just show up when things get bad. More like family. That is what we have now.

If I were starting out fresh without a current group then i would have to use a different set of priorities. For one thing I would look for people with the same core values I have. I would look for people that would buy into the group by prepping for themselves. Show me your preps so to speak. I would not be looking for talkers. There are a lot of folks out here on the web who talk a great game but have nothing to show for all their talk. I would look for people who were willing to train along side the group. I would look for specific skills they bring to the party (Doctors, carpenters, nurses, military/police, chemists, electricians, mechanics, pilots, hunters, cooks, etc. Most of all you try to find people who can get along. If a group does not have a clear chain of command it will fail. If there are malcontents in the group they will kill it quickly. GB

[crossbow]

This one is simple- what would you EXPECT out of a survival group if you joined one?;)

I would expect everyone to bring equal things to the table, tools, food ect.
everyone put in the same amount of time, no one paying someone else to pull guard duty or some other chore for him ect.
if who ever is elected leader or boss by the majority, the leader is obeyed by everyone, if a person is told to do something that they don't think is necessary, they do it anyway and bring it up at the weekly meeting.
no boozing at any time, treat everyone with the same respect that you would expect.

[Long Shot]

I would be as descerning about joining a group as I'm sure they would be about me. I would have to have structure, like mindedness, and of the same Spiritual convictions. (read Fundamental Christian) A good group would be made up of family memebers, well in a perfect situation anyway.

I've been reading a blog on another site by a guy named Selco. He went through the war in Serbia during the 90's I've learned alot about real life scenarios through this site. Many things that I thought would be vital, turned out not to be so important in Selco's world. Not saying that there is a cookie cutter experience to be had by all. But it does fuel my thoughts, and I've had to take stock of some of the things I was concerned about, and how important they really are. BTW Selco and his group Bugged Out in place.

But I would expect to be given duties and tasks that suit my skills, and knowledge. I would expect to be expected to carry my load.

shtfschool.com

[rockriver]

grinnan said it for me.

trust and mutual respect at the top of the list.

[boltgun308]

I'll be completely honest. I probably never will join a group of survivalists. I think that most of these groups will disappear if something really happens. Its hard enough to make a hunting club function, much less getting together with other people in a very stressful, war-like situation.

[monkeybird]

The biggest issue is the leader. The leader should be knowledgeable, fair and respectful of the other members. I do however agree with boltgun308, people will be people and even the best of them crumble in high stress situations. I would want a group to be TESTED and TESTED again to see have it really functions. A group should actually practice bugging out and living at the BOL under emergency situations to see how things really work out.

[protus]

1- trust
2- trust
3- communication
4- trust
5-respect
6- communication


not always in that order :)


trust is the biggest issue to get through imho.
Once burned even more so.
There are some people that from day 1 i knew i could trust my family around...others it took weeks, and months. Some.....well....they wont get past the gate ;)

You gotta look at the group as extended family more or less imho. Brothers while love each other do have their up's and downs...so do parents....and kids....how we interact as a whole to achieve a set goal is very important.....if people cant put little things aside to achieve those goals it'll lend to failure at some point.

last thing is to be open minded about things. From ideas, to perspectives, to knowledge....its how we learn and also opens doors of communication and understanding that will let the team work better to together in stressful times...

( off to remove my dr.phil hat know) ;p

[Edgemont]

Kinda similar to Protus but I think Protus statements come AFTER having a similar world view. World view (or faith) absolutely comes first IMO! Then all the rest that's been said here already. The more I learn about the world and culture and how people work, the more I become convinced that those with a proper world view who follow what they believe, are the type of people I want to be around. You can still be a cool dude without a similar world view to me, but I naturally trust those who believe and act on the principles that I believe in. Because at the very core of who a person is is their world view. That can be the strongest and most trustworthy bond between people.
What do you guys think of that?
Really great topic!