Force Multiplier(s)

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

Figured that this might be the better forum to post this, as this forum pertains to Retreat set-up.

We talk about the roof of our retreat, the solar set-up, water filters, what kind of chickens to have, etc. But how will we keep all that? How many people will you have to keep what you have worked for...yours. Can you do it alone? With 3 families...5 families? What will it take? What can help you?

According to Wikipedia-Force multiplication, in military usage, refers to an attribute or a combination of attributes which make a given force more effective than that same force would be without it. In other words it will help you do what you need to do better and more effective.

I thought that we could start a thread that relates to Force Multipliers. If anyone has or heard of any, let us all learn. I will start with a few and let others add to the list.

* A weapon to reach out and touch someone. This could be a .308 or .50 cal. This would allow you to engage at a greater distance instead of fighting on your doorstep.

* Night vision such as the PVS-14 sold at JRH Enterprises

* Off grid power. Even if it just supplies enough energy to power a battery charger and a few lights, you and your family won't be in the dark. Without power, you will be living in the 19th century within a couple weeks. If you have batteries, your flashlight will be a multiplier.

Those are some to get started, help others and list some more....

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Force Multipliers for property defense because every area cant be covered from blind spots, dead zones
( http://usmilitary.about.com/od/gloss.../deadspace.htm ) or plain ole manpower shortage.
Jaw traps, noise making items under foot pressure, tripwires, fish hooks hung from line suspended in the air at various heights, tanglefoot

[Grand58742]

I think one of the largest force multipliers, and probably the most overlooked force multiplier is

Information

The biggest problem we all will have in a PAW situation is lack of information. Think about how often we take for granted the information from day to day...

We watch the news to give us forewarning of bad events, in turn we prep more or make last minute arrangements.

We check the internet to keep an eye on the financial markets and make preparations with the banks.

We listen to the weather radio to hear about incoming storms and prepare ourselves in advance

We watch live news broadcasts and hear about the looters heading towards our homes and make preparations.

But in a PAW world, we won't have the information sources readily available to get us timely information. So how do you get that information?

Make contacts with neighbors, keep a "weather eye" out for storms approaching, use the same neighbors as an early warning device and do the same for them.

Information, by far, is the largest force multiplier. Without it, we can have the largest guns, best food stocks, mightiest BOV, nicest garden but still lose everything because we didn't have the information about the threats we faced.

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

Agree with info.

I was watching something the other day and they were talking about how important weather intel was. You can't move vehicles, fly planes or fight in the sandbox if there is a huge sandstorm blowing sand at 50mph.

[BAK]

How about wireless motion detectors or metal detectors? I remember seeing one on some site that you bury under your driveway and it sends a signal if something metal (like a car) passes next to it.

[snarlbuckle]

On the subject of information, how about one of those barometer, thermometer, hygrometer combo devices? A little knowledge about meteorology and one of those devices could go a long way toward predicting weather conditions.

As for your perimeter, take the example of Africa's Masai people and how they secure their perimeters in a hostile environment. Depending on the location and the tribe, they'll make a perimeter fence out of either wood or thornes. Come to think of it, wealthy households in all but the wealthiest countries often have a sturdy 6-8 foot wall surrounding the compound. Most of those are even topped with broken glass, spikes etc. They are often coupled with a few hired guards who watch the gate (which is made of solid steel) 24/7. This sort of security won't hold out against a determined assault, but it is designed to keep thieves and criminals at bay. It works too, why do you think that most of the developing world uses this same method?

If you take that concept one step further, you start to see just why feudal lords built castles and curtain walls. The castle was simply a defensive position for the locals to fall back to in case of an attack. Would be attackers knew that while they could loot the countryside, the only way to take complete control of the area was to eliminate the residents. With a fortress nearby, that would be costly at best. This was a major deterrent during medieval times and it was often the villages that were well prepared for an assault that were attacked the least. I'm not saying that you need to build an entire castle, but a good defensive position stocked with supplies could be incredibly useful. The middle ages were a WROL situation much like many of us prepare for, so there are plenty of lessons to be learned from this area of history if you look closely.

[claymore]

Two or three good, healthy dogs. Fenced in perimeter around the house (keep the dogs in the country). Be cautious that someone doesn't throw something poisonous inside the area (patrol with dogs, walk with them ) I guess.

[Hidden Agenda]

I think one of the largest force multipliers, and probably the most overlooked force multiplier is

Information

The biggest problem we all will have in a PAW situation is lack of information. Think about how often we take for granted the information from day to day...

We watch the news to give us forewarning of bad events, in turn we prep more or make last minute arrangements.

We check the internet to keep an eye on the financial markets and make preparations with the banks.

We listen to the weather radio to hear about incoming storms and prepare ourselves in advance

We watch live news broadcasts and hear about the looters heading towards our homes and make preparations.

But in a PAW world, we won't have the information sources readily available to get us timely information. So how do you get that information?

Make contacts with neighbors, keep a "weather eye" out for storms approaching, use the same neighbors as an early warning device and do the same for them.

Information, by far, is the largest force multiplier. Without it, we can have the largest guns, best food stocks, mightiest BOV, nicest garden but still lose everything because we didn't have the information about the threats we faced.

Consider the value of a good amateur radio network in the PAW. Weather, troop movements, roving gangs/marauders, etc...

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

All of these are good, but there are more I'm sure....

[Matt In Oklahoma]

The terrain selection is used as a multiplier depending on needs. High ground for fighting and flood avoidance, low ground for concealment and movement and wind avoidance, clear areas for fields of fire or avoidance of fire storms in open areas, cover in brushy areas with usable vegetation.