Building Networks

Scott and I made an epic road trip last week, and I felt that there was some learning value in it. As we attended various events and just randomly interacted with people, we built and strengthened networks, and found hope for America in weird places.

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.

Matthew 18:20

I met Scott in Louisville, where I met his amazing parents. They’d have to be though, wouldn’t they, to raise someone like Scott? Friendly and outgoing, just good people to talk to. Scott’s dad took us to dinner where we chatted about the world and where it was headed. The restaurant was packed full of happy people, none of them acting like the world was falling apart. That’s lesson one…we can prepare and be ready, but we don’t have to live doom and gloom 24/7. Take breaks and enjoy life. I do that by getting out with a ruck on and walking in nature.

We left the next morning for the Brushbeater Training Center, where NC Scout was holding a class. On the way, we stopped at various truck stops and a Cracker Barrel. You might not have noticed, but both Scott and I are fairly outgoing people, so we spoke to cashiers, other customers, and waitstaff everywhere we went. Getting out and talking to others will help you realize that not everyone is (and in fact very few people are) a pink or blue haired liberal with facial piercings. It was refreshing to hear most people talking about the same things we were concerned with. Middle America, where we made our journey, is not the coastal cities, who are the most vocal.

Wednesday night, we made it to NC Scout‘s class as it was ending for the day. There were over 30 (and nearly 40) people in the class, seeking to learn how to communicate. The class was his RTO/Advanced RTO/SIGINT course, which I’ve taken in the past. If you want to know how to make radios do magical things without having to listen to sad hams talking about goiter surgery and demanding blind compliance to the government, this is the class for you. You go from basic radio operations to designing a comms plan, then on to how to secure your traffic and hide in plain sight, finally progressing onto how to gather information via signals. The class uses everything from HF & CB up through VHF and UHF. Yes, sad hams, only licensed amateurs are allowed to operate in licensed bands, but the beauty of the course is that it mostly focuses on UNLICENSED bands. Students even learned how to operate digital modes from a tablet and sending photos. NC Scout makes it easy. You even learn how to build your own antennas.

We really enjoyed meeting our Twitter mutuals in real life, which is the biggest takeaway here. Get out and meet each other in real life. You will be amazed at how refreshing it is. You’ll meet great folks and build REAL relationships.

This is how you build that network. For example, one mutual, who might actually be a giant, told me that he was aware that I ran a protection operation in his area recently. He said that if I ever need help, he has a team (his mutual assistance group) that could help. I now know that I can have a QRF (Quick Reaction Force) or a radio guy to just listen in case I need help in current-world situations. In a WROL situation, I now have a solid contact for a safe haven. We exchanged secure comms links and radio protocols for a denied environment. This is good stuff.

One of the most common questions I get is “How can I build my network?” or “How do I meet like-minded people?”. This is how. Get out and attend training courses or other events and meet people.

While we were there, we ran into our friend, International Man of Mystery and Intrigue Jim, who is a frequent guest on the Council on Future Conflict and the Privy Council. We had a great time getting to know Jim in real life, and we shared stories from some of the sketchier corners of the Earth. Jim also really enjoyed meeting the students and hanging out at the NC Scout Guerilla Camp.

After spending a couple of nights in NC, we headed back to Louisville to get ready for our event. When we got back, I spent some time with more show fans at a hotel bar just talking and making connections. Let me tell you, this is the best part.

Saturday, we held our meetup along with fellow author Blaine Pardoe (side note, Mrs. Pardoe is awesome and way better than Blaine deserves). We had about 25 fans show up and we ran a live version of the show, followed by a Q & A session. Afterwards, we just hung out and chatted. The real value is in breaking bread and having drinks with each other.

Let me digress for a moment. I never imagined in my life that people would come from all over the country, and in the case of the Lanky Canadian nurse with a weird penchant for pineapple pizza, from another country, just to meet me and hear me speak. I treasure that and I thank every fan for this. I’m amazed that you all want to listen to me.

After the event, we re-convened for more conversations over drinks at the hotel bar where most of the people stayed.

Sunday, I took Scott farther south to meet one of the more interesting members of my most secure network. They immediately took to each other as we bonded over man-type outdoor activities. Now, Scott has made a solid addition to his own network (that happens to be in his home state) and so has my buddy. This is another way to build your network, introducing people to your trusted network, and vice versa.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the OUTSTANDING Sunday family dinner that Scott’s parents hosted. It’s not every day that your son returns to the US after 3 years outside of it, so a grand meal was in order. Scott’s mom makes a fantastic Derby Pie (it’s a Kentucky thing, IYKYK).

Right about now is when people start saying, “Yeah, but half the people were probably Feds.” My answer is, so what? We didn’t discuss anything illegal and none of the activities we partook in were even remotely sketchy. There is nothing illegal about training (despite what the Michigan Attorney General thinks). Not one person mentioned kidnapping Governors or taking unauthorized tours of government buildings. If you are sitting home because you’re worried about Feds, you’re not living. You’re also doing exactly what they want you to do. Get out and live.

Here’s my advice for those afraid:

…not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:25

The biggest learning is that we need to get out and meet each other. Once you do, you will build your network and not feel so alone. If you start talking to others, you’ll realize it’s not all on fire (just most of it) and that there are good things going on out there.

On that note, I’ll be at the Self-Reliance Festival in Camden, Tennessee October 14-15. I’ll be camping on site, so stop by the campfire. There will be all kinds of classes and vendors of preparedness gear, so it’s worth the ticket price.

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