Advice Please

[Edgemont]

I recently discovered a small group of 5 to 15 people that are meeting somewhat regularly to discuss preparedness topics in my local town. They are inviting anyone to just show up and enjoy free food at a location that they are advertising online at numerous web sites. One fella even has his pic up next to some of his posts. Seemingly very friendly!

[Bearman202]

You can go and socialize, because those may be people you depend on if it becomes necessary. Just because you go doesn't mean you have to tell them everything, though. In fact, I would probably go, but tell them "I'm still thinking about it." They'll hear that a lot. Also, be aware that the most radical people in the group are probably feds. If someone is in favor of blowing something up, they probably work for a federal agency. They want to see who will go along with them. My advice would be to go, eat some free food, listen a lot, and don't talk much at all.

[antishot]

Welcome to the club in family front mine are the same, but there does come a time when you have to just have to worry about yourself. I love my family and have tried time and time to get them to listen even having a BBQ at my house just to have everyone together and hoped they would have listened to things I have said. The only one who has a clue is my lovely Grandmother 90year young, when it all goes down I will bring her to my home. My wife and I have had the talk about if/when SHTF the only ones we spend our time and energy just taking care of our 4 children and if anyone shows up they will have to be turned around. We DO NOT have the room ir resources for 30 other people and this kills me to say that but I just can't take that extra load

About the group I also have been looking for other resources to get info or skill sets from other than the internet but have not found any real good outlet. I did find a group in a city hour north of me that I went to. Parked my truck at the mall and took a cab to the park they were at. Talked to some of the people there and what they were professional "I saw on TV" preppers. I stayed for about an hour until one of the people pulled out a joint lit it and they started to pass it around. Screw that I left didn't say goodbye just left. I have no time for that. For now I wont be looking for any groups. What has helped me was some of the former military guys I see often (baseball /soccer ). I ask them tons of stuff lately I have been talking to a retired Navy Seal and he has been a great resource. He has invited me to bring my family to his house for a weekend and show us anything we are interested in learning and on return we are going to help with his firewood.

I would say keep you head on straight you will find what you are looking for.

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

You can go and socialize, because those may be people you depend on if it becomes necessary. Just because you go doesn't mean you have to tell them everything, though. In fact, I would probably go, but tell them "I'm still thinking about it." They'll hear that a lot. Also, be aware that the most radical people in the group are probably feds. If someone is in favor of blowing something up, they probably work for a federal agency. They want to see who will go along with them. My advice would be to go, eat some free food, listen a lot, and don't talk much at all.

Agree....Go, be friendly, have a free meal, listen to what they say and then decide after several meetings. Use only a pseudo-name (not your last name and maybe a "nickname"). Walk, take a taxi/bus, have someone drop you off, ride a bike...but don't have any identifying tag on your car. Turn off your cell phone. Call me paranoid but if someone is there that has the mindset of "I'll just take from the prepper" then you may be losing your OPSEC and putting yourself and family in danger later. I'm not as worried about the feds as they probably know I've bought food and ammo, which I have used....but more concerned about the yahoo that doesn't want to take the time and money to learn skills and prep, but just wants to be your buddy and then take from you later or tell the rest of the "survivors" that you have food and supplies.

Go,have fun and be careful. Please report back on your findings...

Posted by Antishot:

Talked to some of the people there and what they were professional "I saw on TV" preppers. I stayed for about an hour until one of the people pulled out a joint lit it and they started to pass it around. Screw that I left didn't say goodbye just left. I have no time for that.

Wow!!! How crazy is that! Not that you left but the joint thing. :eek: That is somebody I would want on my team....NOT!

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I have had similar experiences within the last few years. I went to the meetings and enjoyed the topics and found there to be a wide variety of people. Some were serious most were not. Those that were serious didnt have opsec and were busy in recruitment. Truth is there is nothing wrong with preparing and it isnt against the law. We agreed to disagree on that choice.
There wasnt a huge radical element but a small one who bashed the military as an evil force because they were training in LA about the same time i lost a soldier in the rock pile and i went off on them and left the group.
I disagree with some that the radical element is a "fed". If the radical element is there then quite possibly there may be someone watching/joining as many state agencies also have anti-terrorism laws now too and ya know what GOOD because that Bravo Sierra doen't cut it with me. Remember I live in Oklahoma where it did go bad and it touched me personally and almost everyone I know as well where someone tried to use the term "acceptable casualties" for their own personal gain. That has nothing to do with survivalism and the proper term for it is selfishness.

If you go just use common sense and don't throw everything out there, people will be naturally curious and ask alot of question. Be general in answers and you can get more specific as time goes on. Learn with them and share your knowledge. Perhaps if you don't like the group as a whole you can connect with one or 2 members and form a relationship from there.

[xdpatriot]

My Father taught me a long time ago that there isn't ANYTHING in this world for free. I've come to learn that that's true. You might keep that in mind. We have a group going down here. We never have free food to intise people to come join. It takes several interviews in public places, minimum requirements of supplies and a unanamous vote from excisting members. Sound like too many requirements? Like I said nothing's free. Stay sharp on that one.

[MustangGal]

We don't tell anyone anything and have drilled the Man Cub not to talk about survival or guns. At the church we were going to, we had identified two families as preppers. DH shared more than I was comfortable with, but if anything these people are more prepared than we are. One guy is in the "survival and preparedness" business. He and some associates? friends? teach classes on survial. To be honest, I find him a bit scary, and evidently DH isn't completely comfortable around him, because he hasn't shared much with him. We also identified another couple we know - saw them at a prepper expo. Not really sure about them, 'cause they sell storm shelters, so they may have been scoping it out for a booth next time.

I don't know if it is our law enforcement background or what, but we are skeptical of everyone.

[Patriot Prepper]

It's obviously best to prep with people you know really well and totally trust. How could you trust total strangers even if you meet them a few times?

Keep on mind, if you prep with them and share a retreat, they will know the supplies you have and where they are. Many people are loyal to their families and friends. If the SHTF and you bug out to the retreat, you may be surprised to find all their friends and relatives showing up.

In our group, we enforce OPSEC to an extreme degree. We have a lot to lose in the way of supplies as well as keeping the locations of our retreats secret.

Our security is strict. There were several people in our group that wanted me to take down my youtube videos. I have not made a video in over 6 months, but refused to take down my videos. People have a tendency to get paranoid, and who could blame them. If you trust the wrong people, you get screwed. When you are a prepper, counting on your supplies to save your life, and you get screwed by people who steal your stuff, then you are really screwed.

I am trying to calm down my group and assure them that making youtube videos will probably not jeopardize our security. In any event, trust is the key. Who can you trust? That remains to be proven by knowing the people and how they react under various events.

[Pop_45]

You say that your last name is well known in your town, and that the 5 to 15 people are from the same local town. A pseudo name might not be the best idea, as some of the people may already know you. But on the flip side, you may find someone you already know, but didn't know they were preppers. Stranger things have happened. Anyway, stay low keyed, and don't volunteer too much info.

[BioG8r]

In Southwest Ohio, there is a prepper group that meets occasionaly, They are headed by a gentleman who runs a prep/survival type store. The meetings are held there in his store. Seems like a good group of people. I just picture sales pitches. Maybe I'm too skeptical.

[Benn Gleck]

In Southwest Ohio, there is a prepper group that meets occasionaly, They are headed by a gentleman who runs a prep/survival type store. The meetings are held there in his store. Seems like a good group of people. I just picture sales pitches. Maybe I'm too skeptical.

Bio, does this group have a website or any contact info?