Requesting Ideas and Suggestions

[Guest]

Right now I am focused on forming a small survivor group in my area.
I am a good public speaker and as a veteran, well experienced in OPSEC, SERE, Asymmetric Tactics, basic to advanced survival skills which most survivalists are well up on, and retreat defense. In fact I get a job every now and again as a retreat security consultant.
If it was a perfect world I would meet a few infantry or armor vets (US Army and USMC) and jointly we would brainstorm how to separate the hobbyists from the serious candidates.
When I have spoken to small public groups, I always get about 12 or so interested people, most of whom seek training from me for free (Which I am willing to do, as a starter and "getting-to-know-you" phase.).
The main training obstacle is a non-public place to train the volunteers (as a precursor to joining the group) and scheduling them, since 98% have busy schedules and want to fit their training into their personal schedule.
When I have run across veterans who are interested, they have been from noncombat arms and require training too. In addition, a growing number of families are out of work and cannot afford gasoline to drive far.
(I have located a few woodland sites which ,from reading the signs have not been visited for a long time. They are on federal land. When I find black commo wire that stretches at least a kilometer, I don't plan to use that area.)
Any ideas, opinions, or suggestions would be welcome.
Thank you.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Not sure what kind of "training" you are looking at. There are some things that require areas but alot of training isnt offensively coordinated and should not be an issue such as basic skills that can done in peoples homes and should be more of a precursor to a group than basic infantry tactics. Everyone wants to learn coolio stuff that they see in movies, even though most are killed during these activities as a few Vets/LEOs here can tell you from experience, but taking time to learn daily or lifesaving skills is more important. If you have a group of suburbanites with no land to train on then how important is woodland combat training? Doesnt sound as though they will be there when SHTF.
Bounding, hand signals, overwatch, land nav and other basic skills can be taught on a public hiking trail without ever raising an eyebrow if properly done without all the MBR toting and huphup sounds.

[Kurt]

Too many volunteers to travel to separate homes.

Too many to take on hiking trails until basic skills training. Then scouting which includes a few simple formations and dealing with fat people which I have no bias against, but they slow up movement and focus. I am a long time hiker and know how people stare even if you carry Alpen stocks and move normally, so I will not conduct training with people watching.
There are no weapons used during initial training which focuses on skills training, testing of skills and thinking/problem solving to solve group and retreat problems. Weapons brandishing before preliminary training, I do not do. In fact, I HAVE NO WEAPONS.
I need a classroom initially, then I will go into fed land. I teach land navigation systematically, for example, class room, then basics of map reading and azimuths (compass) on terrain with topo maps. Then testing. Then exercises. Its hard work but no one will be killed by that.
I do not use American doctrine, tactics or hand signals. No one wears camo, and wives come along with kids. There is no Huphup sounds, never used them in USMC or Army as officer or NCO.
I do not go for that loud mouth ego BS. Neither is there any "I'm a vet" posing with hard eyed stares and martinet behavior, or posturing before smirking wives. Its just people, relating honestly in a calm environment, learning orienteering, fartleking (Swedish) and enjoying nature. I do not use the SEAL approach. :)
How to train civilians, no prob.
My probs I mentioned in first two posts.
Thanks

[Matt In Oklahoma]

K, had to check.
The classrooms from some of the groups i have attended were provided by someone in the group who was a working professional usually a side office, conference room, garage etc. One was in a local survival/outdoor store who let them use a side storage room which also drew them business from those who attended so it was a win-win.

[Kurt]

Thanks. What this area needs is a Survival Store with a bulletin board for groups and individuals. I haven't found one in all East TN.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

We had a super secret squirell survivalist meeting where we learned 3 or more methods of killing, special warfare tactics, woodlands survival skills (takes a deep breath for more oxy)and talked subersivly about the evil empires death clutch on the homeland with a few hand chosen ninja skill level Military types (takes another deep breath for oxy)in a non public environment where we spent money on sought after specialized resources
OR in reality
We "trained" today at my house, didnt take any special room or land - archery, slingshots and traps of several types. Ate a meal and had conversation, idea sharing, shared some supplies with one another all the while enjoying some of the best Oklahoma weather God was able to conjur up for us! Ran a couple of bucks for slingshot ammo which was dollar store marbles which Grand won the contest for losing the most of LOL, cost of gas for them that drove and supplies I keep on hand no matter what. Covered a few other things like playing with fire, yucca plant cordage, stinging neddle, fresnal lens, tap ups and a few other things.
We learned about each other and the time from our busy shedules was worth it IMO. Not everyone could make it but they were missed and we carried on anyways to make us all better. The neighbors saw us and no one called anyone with a worry, looked alot like a picnic.

[Grand58742]

I have no idea what you are talking about! I was never there!

OPSEC!!!

(and for the record, I wasn't the one shooting them over the top at the start. Now if we are talking bolts... :D)

[protus]

ninja love....yup..spring time for sure...